Few fanbases get the pleasure of truly enjoying the ownership of their favorite franchise. Whether it's the way payroll is discussed or lack of payroll at all, whether it's a serious lack of transparency and unbothered nature on the team's behalf, it's characteristics like this that make fans and players alike buy into the program.
Phillies fans have their man at the top John Middleton to lead their world class organization.
When it comes to leading an entire organization for as long as Middleton has since partial ownership in 1994, Middleton has remained active in the team's pursuit for success. At times, it has been hard to come by with the losing baseball during the 2010s after the promising 102-win season in 2011.
The 2024 Phillies' slump has also tested Middleton's patience. One day, the Phillies are sitting pretty at 45-20 and looking to absolutely run away with the entire National League; the next, they play .500 percent winning baseball for weeks on end, per Paul Hagen of NBC Sports Philadelphia.
John Middleton proves he's just like us with frustrations over Phillies' struggles
During this past homestand, Middleton commented on the struggles his team has been going through, per MLB.com's Todd Zolecki.
“I don’t think you can just sit there and say, ‘Oh, well this has happened and therefore we’ll turn it around,’" Middleton said, per Zolecki. "I don't think you can be that passive. I think you have to be pushing. And pushing people to rethink what they’ve been doing.
"That’s coaches and that’s players. Everybody has to step back and say, ‘What are we doing wrong? Why is a team that was winning at a .700 clip for 3 1/2 months now playing at a .325 clip for the last five weeks?’"
A note to look back on later with Middleton's frustrations amid the team's lack of winning. It shows his true feelings and how truly connected he is with the fanbase in Philadelphia. Middleton also referenced his owed responsibility to the fans for the product he puts on the field.
“This is why it’s important to go out and sign people like Bryce Harper, why you pay Zack Wheeler $40-plus million a year for three years,” Middleton said. “It’s because this is how the fans react. It’s important to them. They appreciate it. They recognize it. I love that. I have other owners who look at me and say, ‘We don’t get this.’ … It’s remarkable how special this city is as a fan base."
It can't be underestimated how valuable it is to have ownership that cares and spends how the fans want the team to spend. Fans may not have Middleton's personal checks to give out, but he certainly listens and takes fans into consideration while building the future of the Philadelphia Phillies.