CLEARWATER, Fla. — After the Phillie Phanatic warmed up the small Spectrum Field crowd, before Scott Boras evoked some friendly groans by saluting the new “Philadelphia Harp-monic,” a blazer-clad John Middleton sat in the blazing sun Saturday afternoon and smiled.
“Does it look like stupid money to you?” the Phillies’ managing partner asked.
To Middleton’s left sat Bryce Harper, the proud new owner of a record-setting, 13-year, $330 million contract to leave the rival Nationals for the City of Brotherly Love. News broke of the agreement on Thursday afternoon, and the Phillies sold 100,000 tickets for this season Thursday and 80,000 Friday, with another 40,000 anticipated on Saturday, Middleton said at this press conference to introduce his new jewel.