If we have learned anything about Charlie Manuel during his five seasons managing the Phillies, it is that he likes to support his players, and - what a coincidence - they have returned the favor.

The Phillies got him to the World Series last year, and that success will put him in the National League dugout for the All-Star Game in St. Louis nine days from today.

"I don't manage the All-Star Game unless those guys make it possible," Manuel said yesterday. "Those are my guys."

Manuel is hemmed in a bit when it comes to putting together the final roster for the game. The starters from the fan voting will be announced today, as will most of the reserves. It is an imperfect art, and the manager must always juggle many competing agendas. Still, there is some leeway left for him, a wild card or two that he can play. It's part of the reward for having earned the job.

No decision has been either made or announced yet, but it figures that Manuel would like to pull out one of those wild cards and send Ryan Howard to play the All-Star Game in front of his hometown fans.

"We got some first basemen," Manuel said, mentally ticking off the available players for the National League.

There is Albert Pujols of the Cardinals, who will be the starter based on fan voting. There is Adrian Gonzalez of the Padres, who has 24 home runs and is believed to be the first-base reserve selected by player balloting. There is Prince Fielder of the Brewers, who has batted over .360 since June 1 and has 19 home runs and 75 runs batted in.

And then there is Howard.

"His numbers are good enough to go. Twenty homers and 60 ribbies," Manuel said. "Even if he just got one at-bat. He's a guy you can always find a place to hit him in a game."

After the eight starters on the roster and the eight reserves selected by the players and the 13 pitchers, there will be just four spots on the 33-man roster for the manager to sort through, with some input from his all-star coaching staff and the commissioner's office. Manuel isn't saying what will happen. He doesn't know. But he knows that Howard might miss a trip that he deserves.

Last season, Howard became the first player in 60 years to lead his league in home runs and runs batted in at the all-star break and not make the all-star team. He had 28 homers and 84 RBIs and was left off, which still doesn't seem right. If he gets a hometown discount this time, maybe that's fair.

"It's not my place to say anything to Charlie about that stuff. Our focus is on the games we're playing right here," Howard said. "It would great to be part of it and play in the game, but if it doesn't happen, I'll move on and get ready for the second half."

Howard could possibly use the mental lift of making the all-star team. He has just one home run since June 12, and his lack of production, combined with the absence of Raul Ibanez, has taken much of the punch from the middle of the Phils' batting order.

"The only thing I can do is make contact and put the ball in play," Howard said. "I've hit some balls hard. Sometimes it can be frustrating, but all I can do is continue to go out and try."

Manuel has been encouraged recently by the contact Howard is making. He also has been encouraged that Howard hasn't been striking out as often as he had earlier in the season.

"As long as he makes contact, I'm not worried about him. He'll be OK," Manuel said. "He's definitely in a rut as far as homers go, but he might come out of it tomorrow. Sooner or later, he's going to get hot and put up some runs for us quick."

Howard had a hard base hit to right field in the first inning of yesterday's 4-1 win over the Mets, moving Shane Victorino to third, from where he would score the initial run of the game on a sacrifice fly. Howard also grounded to first base twice and flew out to center field. He hit the ball hard each time, but nothing memorable.

His season, at least compared with some others, hasn't been memorable, either, but 20 home runs and 60 RBIs aren't nothing. Are they good enough to allow Manuel to get him to St. Louis?

"Charlie's got a decision to make. Sometimes, they seem to go off your body of work and sometimes off of what you're doing that season," Jimmy Rollins said. "It would be nice to see Ryan there, going home and all. He's a bomber, and you need a guy to come off the bench in that game. He's been deadly for us when he comes off the bench."

If we've learned anything about Manuel, then we know how he feels about it. There's nothing to say yet. He has to let the cards be played. Then we'll see.

"You know what?" Manuel said. "He's my guy."

And who didn't know that?

Contact columnist Bob Ford at 215-854-5842 or bford@phillynews.com. Read his blog at http://philly.com/postpatterns.