Wednesday the Phillies clinched a bye on Fan Appreciation Night and the best owner in baseball (BOIB) was all over the stadium hanging with fans. John Middleton signed a hat with “I want our f–– trophy back!” –

Every Philadelphia team owner from now until the rest of eternity should be required to read the John Middleton playbook if they want to be successful here. Spend and interact with the fans. That’s it. Go up to the 400 level and watch some of the game. Show up on the concourse and take pictures or throw baseballs into the stands. It’s really not that hard.

This is what the BOIB got into last night:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Uncle Coggin (@thecoggintoboggan)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by The Phandemic Krew (@phandemic_krew)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Jamie Pagliei (@thephillysportsguy)

It can’t be hard to add some personality to the organization. That’s what I think has always hurt owners like Josh Harris and Comcast. Flying in on a helicopter, getting a police escort, and then leaving isn’t going to cut it when you can’t get past the second round of the playoffs. Being on TV next to the Sixers bench isn’t going to cut it for face time with the fans. You have to find different ways to connect with fans other than spending and providing facilities. That’s why people look at you crazy when you defend Harris – who has been a good owner. People can’t wrap their heads around him being a good owner because all they see is an awkward billionaire and his public awkwardness on display buying other franchises for his portfolio:

Comcast has done a better job with this recently when they hired Dan Hilferty and Keith Jones as some sort of liaisons to the fans outside of their day to day. Now you can go on the concourse of the Wells Fargo Center during some games and you’ll see people in a long line hoping to get a picture with one of these two.