The Philadelphia Phillies are having the kind of season that puts the word "failure" in perspective.
To be out of the postseason race in the month of August after having the expectations of a World Series contender in spring training is simply inexcusable for the team with the highest payroll in the National League.
Of course, when you devote that kind of money to build a winner and it doesn't win, the blame falls on the general manager, tasked with putting that team together. For the Phillies, that man has been Ruben Amaro Jr. since November 1, 2008.
It has been an interesting ride for Amaro thus far. He took over the organization's front office at the peak of its success—the day after the Phillies paraded down Broad Street to celebrate just their second championship.
The four seasons that followed could be described as a "fall from grace." The Phillies made it back to the World Series in 2009, but lost. In 2010, they were expelled from the National League Championship Series. The next season, they made an even earlier exit.
In 2012, making the postseason would be nothing short of a miracle.
While you shouldn't put too much stock in that decline, it is symbolic of Amaro's tenure as the general manager. Although he has had his share of successes, he has had his share of failures as well, and that's how the Phillies wound up in this position.
Let's take a look at the 25 biggest failures of Amaro's tenure.
Sergio Romo Brian Wilson Eli Whiteside Mike Fontenot Brett Pill Pat Burrell
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