The Big Man Struggles, People Notice
Ryan Howard is having a terrible April. He knows it. Fans know it, too.
The Big Man Struggles, People Notice
Todd Zolecki
There is more to this puzzle than just Ryan Howard.
The Phillies haven't had Jimmy Rollins in their starting lineup since April 8. They haven't had Shane Victorino in their lineup since April 12. Pedro Feliz is hitting .203. Carlos Ruiz is hitting .213. Geoff Jenkins is hitting .228. The Phillies also entered yesterday's 4-2 loss to the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park ranked 10th in the league in hitting with runners in scoring position at .245.
But Howard is the former NL MVP.
If he's not hitting, people notice.
I'm not sure if Howard is just a slow starter or not. He's certainly starting slow this season. He started slow last season, but his strained left quadriceps played a role in that. He actually hit .306 with five homers and 12 RBIs in April 2006, so I guess we can't say he's a historical slow starter. But it seems inevitable that he will start to hit. The Phillies hope it's sooner than later because they're wasting plenty of good pitching performances and you have to wonder how long that will last?
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In the Phillies Notebook, Davey Lopes is back. Rollins is not.
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Look who seems to be fulfilling his potential: Gavin Floyd.
Also check out Salisbury's Extra Bases.
Comments (28)
I was at the 4/19 game. I try hard to realise the players are human. But watching Howard perform pitifully at the plate and thinking about the money he is being paid, it makes a person start to boil. There didn't seem to be a whole lot of enthusiasm from the crowd each time Howard stepped up to home plate. He seems lazy and clumsy to me. I don't know if it's a slow start, a mental thing or some hidden injury, but he's definitely not living up to his supposed potential.— NJPat- After watching Ryan on TV, he seems so confused at the plate. Where is Milt Thompson in diagnosing what is wrong? Is it the sit down stance? Does he have bad eyesight as Pat the Bat said he did for himself and then corrected it?— KGKoons
- The only thing more annoying than Howard's terrible play is the fact that columnists at the Philly papers seem to refuse to address the obvious. I exclude beat reporters like Todd since they have to face these guys every day and it's really not their job to voice opinions. Bottom line, though: he was MVP 2 years ago. Strikeouts, again, do matter when you are the face of the organization and the face of the league. He does it at an extraordinary rate - once ever 2.5 times at bat. That's incredible. It's a lack of discipline, and frankly, skill. He's now become Adam Dunn. For as mush as the fans want to bash the front office for being cheap, Howard is making the brass look smarter and smarter every day. And Howard's petulance... fine, dude, becom Eric Lindros and Scott Rolen. And Donovan McNabb. Your parents popping off every once in a while doesn't help. You've had more agents than years in the league. Believe it or not, I like the guy. I do. He seems like a really good person. What I hate is the fact that he refuses to acknowledge that he's not the player he thinks he is.— John in LA
- I too was at the game yesterday, and boy did Howard look AWFUL!!! If he fielded that ball cleanly in the 8th, they probably turn two and Reyes doesnt hit a 2 run homer! He bobbled about 3 plays, at least. He swung at the first pitch during one at bat and just looked horrible! the ball was never in the strikezone! I too like Howard, he just needs to get his head in the game and out of his back pocket!— Clinton, NJ
- I was watching this game on Fox and Tim McCarver was quick to bring up the point the whole game that Howard is in a big slump. Yes he is, we don't hear that too much on the local phillies broadcast because they don't talk too much about Howard in a negative way. He is costing this team a lot more than just the 9 or 10 million the Phillies are paying him.— phillywebcast
- I was watching this game on Fox and Tim McCarver was quick to bring up the point the whole game that Howard is in a big slump. Yes he is, we don't hear that too much on the local phillies broadcast because they don't talk too much about Howard in a negative way. He is costing this team a lot more than just the 9 or 10 million the Phillies are paying him.— phillywebcast
- The obvious part of Howard's slumps are that he's trying to pull everything. That's great when you connect, the ball goes 500ft. When he's hitting the ball well his power is opposite field. If mere mortals such as myself can see this, what is Milt Thompson getting paid for ? Fans love the long ball..Baseball people love small ball..Utley can do both..— pat h
- I am also one rooting for him to be the guy we/he think(s) he is at the plate (his fieldingis another story). His petulant (good word John)demeanor after any called third strike is getting old. The umps aren't all blind and his new act will not endear him to the guys in blue, which means he will get even less slack at the plate. 7 million is starting to look like the correct number after all. Of course his lack of production and the boo's that follow will be the fodder for his ultimate "trade me" rant down the line and the fans will be blamed for running another superstar out of town.— jimmymack
- Could be baloney, but a buddy of mine who spent a week at Phantasy camp this year said, over a few beers, a certain Phillies' coach - when pressed - said Howard refuses to take advice from anybody re: his hitting. Why does that sound totally believable?— John in LA
Comment removed.- Where's Truth?— Norma
- "Howard refuses to take advice from anybody re: his hitting. Why does that sound totally believable?" It IS totally believable, John in LA! Someone, Milt Thompson I believe, told Ryan to stand closer to the plate. Something I've heard several times from different sources. Ryan tried it. Said he "didn't feel comfortable". Of course not! You're not used to it! GET used to it!— Norma
- HE'S TOO GOOD TO NOT WORK HIS WAS OUT OF THIS. I JUST WISH HE WOULD STOP CRYING ABOUT ALL THE CALLED THIRD STIKES HE IS TAKING. FIRST, THEY ARE STRIKES, AND EVEN IF THEY WEREN'T, THEY ARE TOO CLOSE TO TAKE WITH TWO STRIKES, AND FINALLY, UMPS JUST LOVE IT WHEN SUPERSTARS SHOW THEM UP (YA THINK?)?— phillybob
- This is the second year in a row this has happened. I obviously do not know for sure but I believe he is genuinely upset b/c he was lowballed by this organization. I predicted back in Jan/Feb he wouldn't get his head into the game until Mid-May. I'm certainly not saying its right but it's reality. Be realistic he was kept in the minors (yes I know Thome was here) for two extra yrs. The Phillies nor Howard knew Thome was going to get hurt and they didn't make an effort to DISCUSS his future with him. He still has been a good teammate and good as far as representing the organization abroad and nationally. Say what you want but he really hasn't been treated fairly and as a human it takes a toll and these are the results. jimmack is right, he wants outta here badly and if it goes there they should accomadate before it becomes an ugly situation. He's still getting at least 10 million next year regardless of what happens. Sorry to make you wait for my insights Norma-lol— Truth
- Pass the PUFFS.. I really feel for his human side. I hope he'll learn to cope with the 10mil the phils pay him this year...— pat h
- So truth, your basically saying that he is tanking it until he is ready to actually play???? Your crazy bro!! He got his ten million, what HE was asking for, so why would he be upset? I could possibly see him being upset if he got the 7 mil. the Phils offered, but even then I seriously doubt he would tank it on purpose. He is an athlete, he is getting embarassed out there, I really dont think he would look this bad on purpose truth, get real man!!— Clinton, NJ
- Truth you aint right in the head! I hope my previous post goes through, it'll explain lol— Clinton, NJ
- He's not tanking on purpose Clinton, His head is just not in it. He's been disrespected time and time again. He's a human.— Truth
- He's a child. This is a business. He needs to grow up.— John in LA
- Disrespected ? Is that what used to happen, when players made 5,000 per year, with no free agency ? They played for the love of the game. Were they human ?— pat h
- When the players made 5,000.00 per year, there were no T.V. deals worth billions, no luxury boxes, no free stadiums, no 100.00 tickets for avg seats etc. Apples and oranges sport.— Truth
- Do we get a rebate then for his lack of production now because "he wouldn't get his head into the game until Mid-May". You must be a real hoot at performance review time where you work.— jimmymack
- Who is "we" JimmyMack? Just b/c you toe the mgmt line doesn't mean you're mgmt or ownership. YOU will pay to see this product no matter what, thats why YOUR a fan. Thats why the Phillies sell YOU manure and lie to YOU and YOU think YOU"RE smelling roses. RE: J-Roll.— Truth
- Is Truth aware he is the blog pinata?— John in LA
- No, I won't pay no matter what, I cancelled my season tickets after the first year of CBP because I thought Wade was a joke and ownership also for not firing him. So I voted with my wallet, as did many others, attendance fell and they finally got it. I have since renewed. But I also think that Howard didn't deserve 10 million, so if that classifies me as toeing the mgt. line, so be it. Your blind faith in everything Ryan is ignoring the obvious. He was treated fairly, for the 100th time, by the rules HIS union agreed to. He got his money, I as a fan want to see a return on the investment. He wants out, too bad, shut up and play (at least until 2011).— jimmymack
- jimmymack......When are we going to meet up at a game? LOL!— Norma
- Johnny Callison told me a story a while back, he went into GM's office. John Quinn was the GM at the time. He asked for a 2,000 dollar raise, that would bring his salary up to 12,000 per. Quinn told him he didn't care about his stats. They hadn't won anything to deserve a raise. Disrespected ?— pat h
- Ouch!— Norma
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