Phillies Owner John Middleton: Fans Turned Off by Manny Machado's Lack of Effort

The people wanted Bryce Harper.  

That's what Philadelphia Phillies owner John Middleton told Bob Nightengale of USA Today when discussing the decision to sign the superstar outfielder. He said Harper was the more popular choice in Philadelphia during free agency because fans didn't like Manny Machado's lackadaisical attitude toward hustling: 

"In Philadelphia, they want their athletes to play hard, and Bryce plays hard. Frankly, I think Manny hurt himself in Philadelphia with some of his postseason comments. When he said, 'I'm not ever going to be Johnny Hustle,' that doesn’t play well in Philadelphia.

"It's not that they don't recognize that he's a great player, they do. But by the same token, they say, 'If you're going to choose between great players, let's choose the guy who runs into the walls rather than the guy who jogs down to first base and says I'm not 'Johnny Hustle.'"

The comments Middleton referenced came in October after Machado drew criticism for not hustling down the line at one point during the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers.

"Obviously I'm not going to change, I'm not the type of player that's going to be 'Johnny Hustle,' and run down the line and slide to first base and... you know, whatever can happen," Machado told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. "That's just not my personality, that's not my cup of tea, that's not who I am." 

Meanwhile, Harper's addition created a frenzy in Philadelphia. Nightengale reported that the team "sold 340,000 tickets alone in the first week of Harper’s signing. His jersey sales set an all-time record for sales in the first 24 hours. And TV ratings for Phillies' spring training games soared 311 percent in his debut."

Would Machado have created that level of buzz? 

"My instinct is no," Middleton said. "I just think the fans were turned off by Manny and turned on by Bryce."

Hustle has an important place in the culture of Philadelphia sports. Pete Rose, also known as Charlie Hustle, was a key component in the 1980 championship team. Chase Utley is one of the most beloved figures in Philadelphia sporting history, known for his work ethic, unrelenting hustle and helping to bring a title to the city in 2008. 

That raises a key point. One thing is even more important than hustle in Philadelphia: Winning. If Harper brings another title (or several) to the Phillies, he'll be forever revered. The same would have been true for Machado. But there's little question that Harper has invigorated a city in rare fashion upon his arrival. 

"I don't think anybody could have predicted this, that it would be as extraordinary as it is," Middleton said. "I've got to tell you, when you think of major moments in Philly history, bringing in a player from the outside, this may be the biggest."