Photos: 2008 Phillies
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If Howard's not hitting . . .
If Howard can't find Chase Utley with a routine throw . . .
Even if Howard gets a routine single to start a rally that saves Game 4 of the National League Championship Series for the Phillies . . .
"I think when the game gets going, the game feels the same," Howard said yesterday, although he added, "There are certain spots in the game that are a little bit magnified."
Howard could end being the National League MVP since it is based on the regular season. He was clearly that during the second half of the season, getting crucial hits practically nightly on his way to 48 homers and 146 RBIs, both major league highs.
But, with his team a victory from the World Series, Howard's way, way down the Phillies' list of most valuable playoff contributors. His .185 average and two RBIs are far below Shane Victorino and Pat Burrell - and a lot of pitchers. They are below Matt Stairs and his one at-bat.
Monday night, after Howard's sixth-inning throwing error on a routine Dodgers bunt led to a run that seemed crucial at the time, you could make the case - and likely win it - that the first baseman had hurt the Phillies more than he helped them in the game.
"You just try to go up and have a good at-bat and make up for it," Howard said of his plate appearance after the error, after he "kind of felt the ball slip out of my hand."
His eighth-inning at-bat turned out to be his first big-time contribution of the playoffs. You just wouldn't have predicted the order of things: A solid single by Howard, a clean hit up the middle, setting the table for Shane Victorino and his home run.
"It's still the same game," Howard said, standing in front of his locker and acknowledging that even getting used to the media crush was a learning process. "You're still going to have your ups and downs, your good days and bad days. You'll come out then the next day ready to go. You never know what's going to happen. You may hit for the cycle."
He flashed his Ryan Howard smile.
"I may get a stolen base or something," Howard said.
Just down the row in the visiting clubhouse at Dodger Stadium, Jimmy Rollins said, "This team has been built around a number of hitters. Ryan Howard, in certain situations. Me to get one base, Shane to move me over, Chase [Utley] to drive us in, and Ryan to clean it all up."
That was like a reminder: Oh, yeah. That is the way this team is set up. It just hasn't worked that way lately.
"Howard got a huge hit last night," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "We forget that. . . . [It] set the stage for Victorino to hit a two-run homer."
Manuel mentioned Carlos Ruiz and his hit just ahead of the go-ahead rocket by Stairs.
"Those are contributing," Manuel said. "Howard contributed."
Before Game 3, Manuel talked about how Howard was trying hard and was overanxious and not following the ball, not really seeing it out of the pitchers' hand. But after Game 4, a basic 1-for-4 night with a walk gave the manager a chance to say something nice.
And if Stairs can get his place in Phillies history stamped with one swing, Howard obviously has the same chance.
It just hasn't happened yet.
Contact staff writer Mike Jensen at 215-854-4489 or mjensen@phillynews.com.
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