It was rare to hear Chase Utley address a large group — his most famous speech did feature an expletive on live television — and this is why David Montgomery thinks about spring training in 2012. The Phillies did not know then, but it was the beginning of dark days. Montgomery, the team president, was invited into the clubhouse because Utley wanted to address the team. This was the chondromalacia spring when Utley spent most of his time constrained to a blue step stool because the pain in his knees was too great.



Utley wanted to talk about Jim Thome. He wanted his teammates to know how important it was that Thome, a future Hall of Famer in the twilight of his career, shared a room with them while he attempted to reprise a role as a position player at age 41.



Utley missed the first 76 games of the season. Three days after he returned, Thome was traded. The Phillies went 81-81. They have not enjoyed a winning season since.



This is something that...