Maybe the expectations for the 2002 Phillies were too high.

After all, the 2001 Phillies, while certainly a pleasant surprise, finished with just the seventh-best record in the National League, and outscored their opponents by only 27 runs. Much of their success was due to a trio of veteran relievers (Jose Mesa, Ricky Bottalico, Rheal Cormier), each of whom had struggled in the previous season. This season, none of those three are pitching as well as they did a year ago.

But relief pitchers can only do so much (whether good or bad), and I think the Phillies have three other, bigger problems.

1. Last year they had two major weaknesses, first base (Travis Lee) and center field (Doug Glanville), and general manager Ed Wade has done absolutely nothing to address either weakness. Glanville is getting on base more often (.327 OBP vs. last year's .285), but is hitting just .247 with a 628 OPS. Lee is hitting .221 with a 659 OPS.

2. It was probably unreasonable to expect Robert Person to repeat the career-best numbers he posted in 2001, and it was certainly unreasonable to think that Terry Adams would be successful as a starter over the long run.

3. It's quite possible that the Phillies simply aren't responding to Larry Bowa this season. High-strung managers like Bowa often have a positive effect in their first season, but after a while that intensity becomes tiresome rather than inspirational, and it's time for a manager who's a bit more ... relaxed.