BB: Obit, Phillies pass away at age 112

Brad Lidge closes the door on the Phils' 2008 World Series
Championship. He left the team before it passed away.

The Philadelphia Phillies, widely favored to win a sixth straight NL East title and well-known for their 2008 World Series Championship, died Tuesday in front of a crowd of 43,821 in Philadelphia. They were 112.

The Phillies, born in 1890, died from bullpen complications and offensive difficulties. It became a growing concern over of the last couple months, and in the last 30 days, the Phils fought hard, but succumbed to its inefficiencies.

Establishing a winning tradition over the last five years, the Phillies had created a “Golden Age” for baseball in the city of Philadelphia. Those who had drifted away from the game had come back in droves, taking over Citizens Bank Park and making it impossible to get tickets at the last second like fans once could in the late 1990s.

But the "Can't Find A Ticket" era came to an end Tuesday as the Phillies lost yet another game to a division rival in the late innings after having had the lead. Tickets are now available on StubHub.com for Wednesday's Cliff Lee start for as low as $7.99, an unbelievable figure that was unheard of over the last five years.

The Phillies had put together great campaigns in the 1980s, including a World Series title in 1980, the franchise’s only other championship, a fact smashed in the face of fans by many Yankees fans who like to point out their 27 rings greatly outweigh the number the Phillies have.

The Phils are survived by their minor league clubs, Lehigh Valley, Reading and Clearwater, who all have winning records and less disappointed fan bases. Funeral arraignments have been made and there will be a memorial parade on Broad Street — which Jayson Werth will try to stop. In lieu of flowers, the Phillies' front office is requesting you send any trade ideas, hitting tips or solid bullpen arms.