Major League Baseball’s owners are a problematic bunch these days.
Many team owners lie about their finances to gain sympathy from fans and avoid spending money. John Fisher in Oakland, Bob Nutting in Pittsburgh, the Dolans in Cleveland, Jerry Reinsdorf in Chicago, and John Henry in Boston are some of the worst offenders. They treat their teams as investments rather than focusing on winning games.
But not all owners are like this. The late Peter Seidler in San Diego was different. Steve Cohen of the New York Mets also cares about winning. The Texas Rangers’ ownership shows some commitment too. But John Middleton of the Philadelphia Phillies stands out the most for his dedication to winning.
Middleton invests heavily in player payroll with a clear goal: win the World Series. He has given Dave Dombrowski, his lead executive, full support to achieve this goal . Middleton believes that owning a team is a public responsibility and that they owe it to the fans and city to strive for success.
John Middleton’s Philosophy:
Middleton once said, “It’s remarkable how special this city is as a fan base… We have an obligation… If you don’t approach it that way, you shouldn’t be an owner.” This quote emphasizes his belief that team ownership is more than just business; it’s about stewardship and community responsibility.
Fans might think it’s refreshing to see such dedication from an owner when so many others fall short.
Since becoming controlling owner in 2015 and signing Bryce Harper to a $330 million deal before 2019, Middleton has put his money where his mouth is:
– 2019: 13th
– 2020: Seventh
– 2021: Fourth
– 2022: Fourth
– 2023: Fourth
– 2024: Fourth
The Phillies have invested heavily in top players like Harper, Trea Turner, Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, J.T. Realmuto, Nick Castellanos, Kyle Schwarber, and Taijuan Walker. These signings show that Middleton’s words aren’t just empty promises; he backs them up with action.
Not every team has resources like the Phillies do—but every team should adopt Middleton’s philosophy or consider leaving baseball altogether.
What do you think? Should more owners follow Middleton’s example?
