Try to let these two things sink in, it's entirely likely they are not unrelated.
For the first time since treating us to a parade in 2008, the Phillies yesterday fielded a starting lineup that did not contain a single member of their World Series champion team.
At the same time, the announced crowd for yesterday's afternoon game was 17,097. That's the number of tickets sold. It looked decidedly like a lot fewer people actually went through the turnstiles on a gray, cold day.
The weather matched the mood, as the Phils' fill-ins put on a clinic on how not to play the game.
The Phillies sloppy play in the field continued. They have now committed 17 errors through just 16 games.
We knew this team wasn't going to hit. We didn't realize they couldn't catch the ball either.
They are the worst-hitting team in baseball, with a lowly .211 team batting average.
Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg decided to sit Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Carlos Ruiz and Freddie Galvis after the Thursday night game.
Meanwhile, columnist Jack McCaffery caught up with Phils GM Ruben Amaro Jr., who said he was disappointed in the team's rought start.
The 17,097 attendance broke the previous low-water mark of 16,232 who showed up for a game at Veterans Stadium back on June 4, 2003.
There was a time when Citizens Bank Park would be overflowing for one of these Businessperson's Special afternoon games. It was the place to be. A happening. A party.
Not anymore.
Get used to these kinds of crowds.
Citizens Bank Park is likely going to be like a tomb many nights this summer.
If you listen closely, you might still be able to hear some of the roars from 2008.
You just won't be able to see any evidence of it on the field.
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