The Hollow Men: Rays 5, Phillies 0

Mary Holt-USA TODAY Sports Bryce Harper and the Phillies looked lifeless with their playoff lives on the lineI wasn’t alive in 1964, but knowing the story of that team, I can’t claim that this was the worst regular season loss in Phillies history. However, considering the circumstances, it’s probably not an exaggeration to call it the worst regular season loss in the last 55 years.

Despite all the team’s problems, and despite their losing record, the Phillies still had a chance to qualify for the expanded playoff field heading into Sunday’s games. They needed to win, and for the Giants and Brewers to both lose. As I write this, the Giants and Brewers are trailing late in their games, but it…