#1 out of 4
sports1d ago
It's outta here! Owner John Middleton defends Phillies scrapping name of Harry Kalas on outfield bar
6abc.com and 1 more
- Phillies owner John Middleton defends stripping Harry Kalas's name from the outfield bar, framing it as a branding and revenue decision amid park modernization.
- Middleton says the savings from naming-rights could fund a player, illustrating how branding revenue feeds payroll in a big-market club.
- Kalas's legacy is still highlighted in the ballpark, including a 7 1/2-foot statue and a broadcast booth named in his honor.
- Ashburn Alley will not be renamed, preserving Richie Ashburn's memory amid modernization.
- Middleton frames the move as necessary modernization, noting fans increasingly rely on their phones and clocks are less essential.
- The decision sparked swift fan backlash, with critics accusing the Phillies of silencing a franchise voice for branding gains.
- Middleton notes other park upgrades, including a refreshed team-store screen and new All-Star Game merchandise.
- Phillies emphasize Kalas’s legacy endures elsewhere, suggesting branding changes are not erasing his memory.
- Middleton frames branding as a standard business cost, noting high payroll requires broad revenue streams.
- Kalas's broader legacy includes national media work and late-career appearances beyond baseball.
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