Phillies' Futility Flirts With Immortality

Franchise, already owner of record for losses, closes in on 10K

By Colleen Barry, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 12, 2007 7:20 AM CDT

(Newser) – This year's Phillies aren't as awful as tradition would suggest, but they can't fight history. From their perch a respectably mediocre two games over .500, they can see a new milestone: 10,000 losses. The Times visits Philadelphia, where the baseball has been so bad for so long that the never-before-accomplished feat lies a mere 14 defeats away.

The Phillies have operated in the same city, under the same name, for longer than any other professional sports team—125 years. And for most of those years, they've been colossally bad. Fans speak of violence, of destiny, and even of the glass-half-full perspective. Says one sports-radio host, "We might be first to 10,000, but we’re first in something."

Philadelphia's Veterans Stadium Implosion (Getty Images)

Veteran's Stadium Implosion (Getty Images)

Aeon All Star Series Day 5 - MLB v Japan All-Stars (Getty Images)

Popcorn Phanatic ((c) alpineinc)

Philadelphia Phanatic (Getty Images)

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Phillies' Futility Flirts With Immortality

Franchise, already owner of record for losses, closes in on 10K

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More Newser Stories

Major Leaguer Hits Ump in Face

Texas Rangers catcher Yorvit Torrealba gets mad after strikeout

Angels Land Albert Pujols for $250M

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Rangers Tame Tigers 3-2 in ALCS Opener

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Red Sox Miss Playoffs After 'Worst Collapse Ever'

Last-day losses cap miserable month for Red Sox, Braves

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They cheapen the game: Bill Plaschke

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Phillies' Futility Flirts With Immortality

Franchise, already owner of record for losses, closes in on 10K

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

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sports • MLB • Philadelphia Phillies • Philadelphia • baseball

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

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More Newser Stories

Major Leaguer Hits Ump in Face

Texas Rangers catcher Yorvit Torrealba gets mad after strikeout

Angels Land Albert Pujols for $250M

Deal is for 10 years, $250 million

Rangers Tame Tigers 3-2 in ALCS Opener

Verlander and Co. can't get it done in rain-delayed game

Red Sox Miss Playoffs After 'Worst Collapse Ever'

Last-day losses cap miserable month for Red Sox, Braves

Baseball Should Ban Arguments With Umps

They cheapen the game: Bill Plaschke

About Us

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Newser By Users

Community

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More News

What is Newser?