The 'big' Philadelphia Phillies' news this week had nothing to do with the first round of the baseball playoffs. The fall air used to feel crisp and exciting. As of early October, Tyler Cloyd's waiver claim by the Cleveland Indians rightfully generated soft internet buzz.
Memories of that unexpectedly thrilling 2008 World Series run and the indelible Halloween Day parade that followed aren't part of the distant past. But, some emotional distance has been created since those historic days.
With Ryne Sandberg in place and a variety of decisions still being made about his revamped coaching staff, 40-man roster revisions stand as the only statistical snack red pinstriped phanatics can devour right now. The crowd wants more, but knows that it might have to wait years for another true feast.
Many potentially apt comparisons could be made regarding past dormant eras, like the mid-1980s, or mid-1990s. But, those old schools offer mixed lessons now.
There's no way to tell how long it will take this front office contingent, which extends far beyond Ruben Amaro, Jr., to create a successful and sustained push. That unavoidable fact fills Citizens Bank Park, in lieu of meaningful games.
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