Owner John Middleton put Rogers to shame when speaking of his game plan that has brought Phillies success
Photo credit: The Good Phi night
Philadelphia Phillies owner John Middleton recently spoke to reporters about how he goes about keeping players happy and in the process puts the Toronto Blue Jays to shame.
The Phillies are a top tier organization that has been undeniably great in recent years and it seems to be thanks to Middleton as his main focus is providing money to the front office so that they can put together the best team possible.
Not only is Middleton making sure players are paid incredibly well as the Phillies are in the top ten highest payrolls in the MLB for the fourth straight year but he also makes sure to find the best amenities for players such as planes.
Middleton, taking a break from gathering balls during batting practice and handing them to fans, shrugs. «I don't care,» he says. «I really don't care. I do care if the players get on the plane and they're like, �Aw man, look at these cheap SOBs.'»
Players know exactly how much Middleton wants to win as he does not see the Phillies as an investment, he does not care how much each season cost as long as they are competing for a World Series which seems to be the case every year.
«This isn't a job or an asset in his portfolio,» says right fielder Nick Castellanos. «He really wants to win. He's not Santa Claus. But I think that he uses some really good judgment, and if our wants are valid and justified, he comes up [with it].»
The Blue Jays should take a page out of Middleton's book, since they have been spending money with one of higher payrolls in the league but it seems to be in all the wrong areas as they continue to try and focus on the business side before the baseball side.
If the Blue Jays focused more on the baseball and the team they are putting together rather than the money made, they would ultimately make more money as fans would be more engaged and willing to spend as they know their owners care about winning.
Unfortunately in Toronto it is the complete opposite, the owners are more focused on the business aspect which is why the teams continues to struggle even when they somehow make the playoffs.
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