The Morning Report Fans' Guide to Phillies History continues the countdown to opening day.

Today: First base

First base may have had more colorful denizens than any other position in Phillies history.

Dick Stuart saluted as grounders sped into the outfield for base hits.

Dick Allen scrawled messages in the dirt with his spikes.

There was Eddie Waitkus who got shot and Eddie Bouchee who got arrested.

There was Pancho Herrera stumbling around and Willie Montanez confidently flipping his bat end over end.

Dirty-uniformed Pete Rose was instrumental to two pennants. Elegant Mike Schmidt played there briefly.

Then there were the honest workmen: Dick Sisler, Roy Sievers, Bill White, Deron Johnson, Richie Hebner, John Kruk and Jim Thome. Guys who did the job and sought little glory.

But Ryan Howard has revolutionized the position. There never had been a guy who was expected to hit 40 homers until Thome arrived in 2003. For Howard, after his sensational 58 in 2006, the number 40 is the bottom level of acceptable performance.

Howard also has revolutionized the thought process of Phillies fans. He undoubtedly is the only player in team history who had the whole city rooting for him in a salary dispute, and he is without a doubt the only one to get a $10 million contract and have fans squawking that he is seriously underpaid.

It's hard to imagine that happening for Travis Lee.

Breakfast is served. The man who changed the way Americans think about breakfast died Wednesday in Los Angeles.

He was Herb Peterson, the man who invented the Egg McMuffin.

Before Peterson, people tended to eat their fried eggs, Canadian bacon and English muffins as separate items.

Putting them together in one fist was as unthinkable as having a T-Bone, baked potato and broccoli shoved in a Pita pocket.

Wait a second - did I just invent a new sandwich?

Pass the salt.

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