Howard: Ankle is "98 percent," could stand closer to the plate
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Howard: Ankle is "98 percent," could stand closer to the plate
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
Ryan Howard addressed the media for the first time since the National League Championship Series ended, and he had some interesting things to say.
Two key points:
1) His ankle is good to go
2) He is considering standing closer to the plate this season
The ankle is something that has drawn a lot of attention ever since he sprained it against the Nationals in late-July. He returned three weeks later, but Charlie Manuel said this offseason that the injury continued to bother him during the stretch run and playoffs.
"That doesn't really matter any more now," Howard said. "We're here. I'm not going to make any excuses about my ankle or anything like that. What is 100 percent? No. But to me, it doesn't matter. I just go out there and try to do the best that I can and not make excuses."
Howard said the ankle still isn't 100 percent, although he said he doesn't feel limited at all.
"The ankle is good. The ankle is really good," he said. "It's pretty much 98 percent. There is a little bit of tightness, a little bit of soreness every once in awhile, but it's good to go."
Howard disputed the notion that he had a down season last year, pointing out that he missed close to a month. But he did say that he has been working on his swing throughout the offseason.
"Right now, it's all about just getting the feel right," he said. "I've been hitting closer to the plate during the entire offseason. Just getting a feel for it."
Manuel has at times suggested that Howard move closer to the plate. Whether Howard makes the adjustment permanent remains to be seen.
"We're negotiating that," he said with a laugh. "We're negotiating getting closer to the plate."
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I'm 98% sure I'd trade him for Pujols.— dasher- Reading between the lines: the ankle is still an issue, and we can look forward to another season of diminished production from him. Wonderful. Hopefully the other guys will step up enough that 70 or 80% of Howard's usual production will be adequate.— jrw723
- Albert is: 1) better clutch hitter 2) hits for considerably higher average 3) more consistent 4) can actually hit a curve ball against an elite pitcher 4) better fielder 5) better at turning the double play 5) strikes out SIGNIFICANTLY less 6)a RIGHT handed batter the Phillies desperately need
Give the Cardinals a guy to fill Albert's spot at first base reasonably well(not as good, but who better?) They get Howard for 125 million, far less than they'd have to pay Albert.
The Phillies get a highly motivated and still in his prime Pujols to get them over the top THIS YEAR and win the World Series. Once he's here and around these pitching studs as well as hitting in Citizen's Bank, Albert would work something out with the Phillies. The Phils are ALREADY paying 25 million per year for Howard for 5 years. Okay--give Pujols 27 million a year for 6 or maybe 7 years. He would take it--guaranteed, after being apart of this team and this atmosphere and that ballpark.
Nobody is giving Albert 9 years at 30 million per. The Yankees MIGHT give his a 225 million deal--maybe. Those 250 million plus contracts are gone. I honestly believe Pujols would almost GUARANTEE them a World Series parade THIS YEAR. That's our first priority, isn't it?
Howard is already on the decline and will not earn that contract. In the last TWO critical playoff series (Yankees and Giants)--he has absolutely SUCKED. His power is already on the decline--and now the Phillies are locked into him for 5 years at that ridiculous money that he does not deserve. I'm not knocking Howard--he's had some great offensive production. But, the guy can't hit the curve ball, is not producing in the clutch in the playoffs and STRIKES out wayyyyyyyy to much.
Reuben, get it done NOW. It's there to be had. Take the risk. If Albert walks after this year, oh well. You won a World Series and have 25 million to spend on a stud (maybe younger as well) for YEARS.— McNabbnotgoodenough - So the 2009 NLCS wasn't a CRITICAL series? Who was totally clutch and won MVP of that series? Oh, that's right, it was Howard. Moron. — phillyinsd
- Do you actually believe your own babble? I get it Pujols is better then Howard that's a given but to say Pujols will sign at a discount and that no one will offer up 30 mill a year...come on! — Phillyphan26
- Maybe I'm wrong but I'm pretty sure ARod is the only player to ever get a $200+ million contract. To say $250 million contracts are gone when they were never really here, except for that 1 exception, seems rather silly. — wildbill99
- I love the idiots that continue to badmouth Howard. All he has done is win an NL Rookie of the Year, an NL MVP, an NLCS MVP, and steps up EVERY September. He was hitting .300 last year until he got hurt. So he struck out looking to end the season, big deal. The whole team was invisible that series. Golden boy Utley did NOTHING. Howard has been a consummate professional, works hard in the off-season and is down-to-earth. What more could you ask from a professional athlete? The kid is a winner, plain and simple. So quit b****ing.— UncleEddie
- You are so right. Many of these folks just look to complain about any and everything that is not perfect. They must live some pretty miserable lives. Nobody is perfect. Most of them probably have never accomplished much of anything in their own lives. They live to diminish what others have done.
- I think Howard getting closer to the plate is a real good idea. It would make it a lot harder for the pitcher to safely paint the outside part of the plate with a breaking ball.— jayflyte
just stay healthy big boy- I have no beef with Howard. People are spoiled and have no clue about baseball. They think .300BA and 40HR and 120RBI is the mark of a "good" player. If Howard gets less then he sucks. People forget the entire offense was off last year for a variety of reasons (injuries to Howard, Utley, Rollins etc. and some down years as major reasons). People forget a couple hits, nothing major and we probably win the NLCS even with an off offensive year. Defense also let us down big-time in the playoffs this year. Not only Howard but Knoblauchat 2B had the annual post-season yips as well.— DennyP
get real people. the yankees and red sox are NOT going to get rid of their big expensive star first baseman for pujols. there are really only two teams that would be suicidal to make the deal. anaheim or the cubs. even that is a real stretch. maybe if roids were still rampant do you give an over 40 year old those amount of years on a giant contract. this isn't football, you can't just cut him any old time, and stop paying it. he's not that huge of a difference from howard. a few million more maybe, but not quarter of a billion dollar contract more. it's nice to get greedy with cliff back, but the yankees blow incredible amounts and they don't win the series every year. do you wanna sell your house for psl's on phillie's seats? got a half million for season tickets? who knows if he even fits in with the phillies clubhouse. how do you know that the team chemistry and the reason why cliff wanted to come back, isn't supplied by howard, utz, and jroll, that everybody wants to trade away. simmer down now.— Evilvet
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Ryan Howard is not even close to Pujols in overall value— shawnmac
Okay, he's not Pujols, but who is? He's one of the all time best, non juiced, power hitters and will probably finish his career a Hall of Famer. There is nothing this guy does not do to improve his game. I am really happy to have him on one of the most dangerous line-ups in the game. Last year was a fluke. This year, God willing, everyone will stay relativly healthy and productive through the playoffs and we will, once again, be the best team in baseball. Ryan Howard will be in the running for MVP, and the home run title and we will win the series. Everyone is talking about the four aces, but this line up is lying in wait to explode again.
