Over 7 years later, John Middleton still wants his bleeping trophy back
The Philadelphia Phillies won their first division title since 2011 last night and the biggest viral moment of the night came from managing partner John Middleton during the postgame locker room celebration.
"Remember in Spring Training, the man said he wants his trophy back," Rob Thomson said.
"I want my f***ing trophy!" Middleton exclaimed to the team.
But actually, the quote goes way further back than Spring Training. Middleton first said the now famous quote during an interview on April 20th, 2017 on the 94WIP Morning Show with then host Angelo Cataldi.
"If you're not aiming to win than you really don't belong owning a sports team, in my opinion," Middleton explained back in 2017 when the Phillies were in a down time. "We may not be winning it in 2017, 2018, but that's got to be what your goal and you have to have a plan to get there."
Middleton is certainly delivering on his promise, as the Phillies—coming off a World Series loss in 2022 and an NLCS loss in 2023—have reached the playoffs for the third straight season, only the third time in franchise history the team has accomplished that.
Now, it's time to get him his bleeping trophy back.
