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Dear Mr. Montgomery:
I hope you find yourself in good health and that you continue to recover from your recent illness.
The reason that I am writing is that I was a full season ticket holder from 2008-2013. 2014 is the first year I did not renew my full-season plan. The reason is not one that you might expect: I am declining to purchase tickets because the Phillies refuse to rebuild.
Yes, your comments in an interview with Kevin Cooney of the Bucks County Courier Times are the reason I do not buy tickets:
“In 1998, what were we drawing? Where were we ranked of the franchises in the city? We were last,” Montgomery said. “When I took over, we thought it was a moral victory to go 44-46 in the second half and still lose 97 games, drawing a million and a half and we couldn’t get into a new ballpark.
“Some people say that the Phillies worry too much about attendance. Yes, we do. When you are low in attendance, the risk is only on the upside. When you are (drawing well), the risk is dropping any further. And that’s what we’re trying to avoid.”
What is the result of the refusal to rebuild? Mediocrity. I work hard for my money, and I really do not wish to pay for mediocrity.
The problem with trying not to let things go is that as players decline, you will get diminished performance. Phillies fans still do love Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Carlos Ruiz, and Ryan Howard. Some games we get to see performances from them that remind us of their former glory. But the reality is that they are not 100% of their old selves. That means you will need to find players to supplement them that will be more than adequate at the other four positions. With so much money committed to those three, you cannot.
Cody Asche has a shot at being a decent player, though his best position may be left field. Domonic Brown has proven only that he can have an isolated good three months and cannot respond to pitchers making adjustments against him. Ben Revere does not have the on base percentage or arm to make him anything above average. Marlon Byrd is decent, but in danger of aging like the others. All told, you cannot build a contender with four players like this supplementing four likable but aging players.
In the pipeline the Phillies may have some stud players in J.P. Crawford, Maikel Franco, or Roman Quinn. Or maybe they do not. They represent the Phillies' only hope beyond the aging veterans that the team's hopes hinge upon. As we saw in the 1998 you referenced, of top prospects Reggie Taylor and Jimmy Rollins, only one worked out. And having half pan out is a good percentage. The prospects netted in the Cliff Lee trade to Seattle looked much better then than now. If we hope to have other players fill the gaps, we need more than these three players I mentioned.
I am willing to pay to watch young players with upside. I am not willing to pay to watch mediocrity that has little hope of getting better. As long as the Phillies tread water in fear of losing fans, this fan will not be buying tickets.
Sincerely,
Frank Klose
