Phils' Middleton overruled MacPhail, Klentak to fire Kapler

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — John Middleton runs the show in Philadelphia.

The Phillies managing partner made that clear Friday, a day after manager Gabe Kapler was fired despite resistance from Team President Andy MacPhail and general manager Matt Klentak.

"A CEO's responsibility is to ensure an organization achieves its strategic objectives, and everything I do every day is working toward that end," Middleton said.

Philadelphia's front office spent weeks deliberating Kapler's fate before Middleton decided to remove him. Kapler went 161-163 in two seasons.

It's not the first time Middleton has overruled his front office. After promising last fall to spend "stupid" money, he was the driving force behind the decision to give Bryce Harper a $330 million, 13-year contract. He also made the move to fire hitting coach John Mallee in August and replaced him with former manager Charlie Manuel.

"The decision about a manager is much more directly connected to achieving the strategic objective of winning a World Series, just like signing Bryce Harper, (acquiring) J.T. Realmuto have a stronger impact on them," Middleton said. "So when you get to an impasse on those types of decisions, a CEO not only has the authority to step in, the CEO has the responsibility and obligation to step in."

Middleton conceded public opinion was a factor in his decision, but he pointed several times to the team's September collapses the past two seasons.

"You have to know where your customers are and take their views into account," he said. "When I walked around the stadium and walked around the streets of Philadelphia and people come up to me, there were almost, if not as many people, in favor of keeping Gabe as there were telling me to make the decision I ultimately made. It wasn't as clear-cut as some...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Phils-Middleton-overruled-MacPhail-Klentak-to-14515696.php