The Phillies have had a losing record in 13 of the last 14 years, and the trend isn't getting better. They're coming off a 68-97 season, tied with the Cubs for the worst record in baseball. Veterans Stadium is a dull and dingy place to play with one of the worst surfaces in the National League.
Attendance is down.
A new stadium project has become entangled in local politics. The farm system is finally turning around, but most of the promising players who finished the season in the minors will not be ready to contribute next year. Now all general manager Ed Wade has to do is figure out how to break out of that box and put a contending team on the field. He insists it can be done. I don't minimize the task.