As the Phillies defeated the Mets 5-2 today, it marked the end of the 2016 season, but it also marked the end of Ryan Howard’s career with the Phillies and an era.
Howard, 36, was the last remaining player from the 2008 championship team with the likes of Chase Utley, Cole Hamels, and Jimmy Rollins shipped off in trades over the past few years. The first baseman spent the first 12 seasons of his fantastic career with the Phillies, but the team has decided not to pick up Howard’s 23 million dollar option for 2017. The Phillies put together a great pregame celebration of Howard’s career, and the fans gave him a standing ovation every time he came to bat. Unfortunatley, Howard did go 0-4 today, but it was nice to be able to give him a send off, something the team couldn’t do with Rollins, Hamels, Utley, and Ruiz.
The Big Piece was drafted in the 5th round of the 2001 MLB draft, it didn’t take long for Howard to get the organization’s attention as he hit 37 homers in 102 games for double A Reading in 2004. Howard would end up being a September call up that season, playing behind Jim Thome. Howard hit his first of many home runs on September 11, 2004 at Shea Stadium. In 2005, Howard hit 22 homers with a .288 average in only 88 games, but that was still enough for him to win 2005 NL Rookie of the Year.
The following season was one to remember, as Howard blasted a sophomore season record 58 home runs to go along 25 doubles, 149 RBIs, and a .313 average. That was good for a MVP season from the 6’4 lefty slugger.
The 2007 season was the start of the five straight division titles and Howard was a big piece that year smacking 47 homers and 136 RBIs. Howard helped the Phillies reach the playoffs for the first time in 14 years. The team did not fair well in the playoffs though, and made a quick exit.
The St. Louis native and his teammates came back with a vengance in 2008 as the team again won the division with Howard hitting 48 bombs with 26 doubles and 146 RBIs. The team made it to the World Series and faced the Tampa Bay Rays. With the Phillies up 2-1 in the series, Howard put on a show in game 4 hitting two homers and driving in five to help the Phils secure a 3-1 lead. The following game, Howard and the Phillies won their first chamionship in 28 years.
2009 was another fantastic season for the slugger as he hit 45 homers with a career high 37 doubles and 141 RBIs. The team once again won the division and went to the World Series, but they were denied a back to back by the Yankees.
Howard slowed down a little in 2010 only hitting 31 homers, but he stilled helped the team win their fourth straight division title and making it to the NLCS where the Giants stopped them in six games.
2011, a year no one will forget, was the best regular season in team history as they won 102 games behind arguably the best pitching staff ever and Howard’s team leading 33 homers. Howard hit a memorial blast in game 1 of the NLDS to spark a Phillies comeback verus the Cardinals. In Game 5, with the series tied two games a piece, the Phillies sent Roy Halladay to the mound, while the Cardinals countered with Chris Carpenter. With the Cards leading 1-0 in the 9th with 2 outs, Howard stepped to the plate. Howard grounded the ball to first base, he tried to leg it out,but tripped coming out of the box and tore his achillies. As Howard fell, so did the Phillies regein in the NL East.
Howard only played 71 games in 2012, hitting 14 homers. As his production declined, so did the Phillies who went 81-81 and missed the playoffs. Howard suffered more injury issues in 2013 and played 80 games, onl hitting 11 homers, his career low, not counting his brief time with the team in 2004. Howard did a nice job of regaining some productivity these past three seasons, hitting 23, 23, and 25 home runs respectively.
Howard is known for many memoriable moments in Phillies history, such as hitting three homers in a game in 2006 to give him numbers 50, 51,and 52 on the season, his two homers in Game 4 of the 2008 World Series, his 3rd deck grand slam in 2009, his three run shot in Game 1 of the 2011 NLDS, and this year hitting a grand slam on the night the team honored his predocessor Jim Thome.
Here’s a look at Howard’s fantastic career in Philadelphia (with franchise rank):
.259 average
382 home runs (2nd)
1,194 RBI (2nd)
680 extra base hits (3rd)
2,940 total bases (5th)
709 walks (7th)
15 grand slams (1st)
1,672 games played (7th)
Awards and Honors:
2005 Rookie of the Year
2006 MVP
2006, 2009, 2010 All Star
2006, 2008 MLB Home Run leader
2006, 2008, 2009 MLB RBI leader
2006 Home Run Derby Champion
2006 NL Hank Aaron Award
2015 Roberto Clemente Award
2009 NLCS MVP
2008 World Series Champion
Howard’s impact on this organization and city goes far beyond his production on the field. Howard, along with his wife, have done tremendous work in the city to create baseball facilities for the youth and he even has a couple books to promote literacy among youth. Howard was the veteran leader on one of the youngest teams in baseball this year, and his contributions to the club house will work wonders for years to come.
You have to imagine how much better Howard’s already impressive numbers would be if Thome didn’t block his path to the majors early in his career, the shift that took away so many base hits and RBIs, and his two injury stricken seasons. We could be talking about a sure-fire first ballot hall of famer. His 382 homers are still good for 67th all time in baseball history.
Ryan ” Big Piece” Howard will be known for many home runs, grand slams, wins, walk offs, and his fair share of strikeouts, but as he walked off the field in the top of the 9th to a standing ovation, it marked the end of an era that saw five division titles, two NL Penants, and a World Series ring.
Howard said after the game that Philadelphia will always be home, and he will forever live in Philadelphia glory.
It’s worth noting that Howard plans to play next year, he will likely move to the AL to play DH.
Once again, thank you Ryan Howard for everything you’ve done for this team and city, good luck in the future.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
