Philadelphia Phillies managing partner – or CEO, as he referred to his position – John Middleton dominated the team’s press conference announcing the firing of former manager Gabe Kapler Friday. That shouldn’t come as a shock given that it’s the worst-kept secret in the world that he, not general manager Matt Klentak, ultimately made the call on the fate of Klentak’s hand-picked manager. He, per Matt Gelb of The Athletic, led the decision to fire hitting coach John Mallee and insert franchise icon Charlie Manuel as the interim hitting coach in August. There’s a perception from some that he ultimately brought the Bryce Harper sweepstakes over the finish line last March.
John Middleton backs Matt Klentak, but emerges as dominant figure in Phillies brass
