The first half of the Phillies’ season was remarkably poor, considering their intent when the schedule kicked off at home against the Red Sox was to lose as often as possible. Chase Utley suffered an ankle injury, performed poorly for two and a half months, then landed on the disabled list for a month and a half. The veteran pitchers the Phillies slotted into the rotation neither pitched well nor deep into games. Carlos Ruiz became a shadow of his former self.
What was most stunning among all of that, however, was the erosion of clubhouse camaraderie under manager Ryne Sandberg.