Let It Go

Phillies owner John Middleton has a net worth of $3.4 billion, according to Forbes. The Phillies franchise is valued at an estimated at $2 billion. And Middleton is complaining that the team lost $100 million in the pandemic-shortened season. Bullshit.

Middleton didn't lose anything. He just missed out on earning that $100 million. It's not like it's money out of his pocket. But it's why the team is crying poor, offering buyouts to longtime employees and cutting staff. And why they're probably not going to sign  JT Realmuto to a long-term contract.

If Middleton is so worried about the money, he should just sell the team. Why whine about $100 million when you can earn $2 billion? Sell the team to Comcast or some other deep-pocketed corporation. After the Phils lost the 2009 World Series to the Yankees, he was quoted as saying "I want my damn trophy back." He sure as hell isn't acting like he wants it back.

Yeah, nobody knows if fans will be allowed in the stands in 2021, and nobody knows how long the season will be. And the agreement with the Players Association ends after the 2021 season. There could be a labor stoppage. But I say it again. If Middleton is so worried about "losing" $100 million, he should sell the damn team so we the fans can have a shot of getting the trophy back.