Howard and the Phillies had their much-anticipated salary arbitration hearing yesterday at the Renaissance Vinoy Hotel.

The first baseman is seeking $10 million, which would be a record for the most money won in an arbitration hearing. The Phillies have offered $7 million, which tied the most offered a player in his first year of eligibility for arbitration.

"It was cool," the 28-year-old Howard said. "It was a different experience being in there, but as far as a result, we'll find out tomorrow."

Phillies officials left via another exit and later declined to comment. Both parties said they would have more to say today when the three-person arbitration panel reaches a decision.

The panel will decide on one number or the other. There is no middle ground, but the Phillies and Howard's representatives can continue to talk about a multiyear extension - although there are no indications they are close to such a deal.

Houston Astros president Tal Smith prepared and presented the case for the Phillies. Smith runs Tal Smith Enterprises, which for years has specialized in representing management in arbitration cases.

Teams are 5-0 in arbitration cases this year.

"You don't leave happy until you have a result," Smith said. "Both sides would like to win, but it's not contentious. Really, it's not what people think. They think there's a lot of animosity, but that's not so. It's a debate about what's the appropriate salary. I don't think there's any ill feelings."

Howard smiled easily afterward, but when asked whether he agreed with Smith's assessment that the hearing wasn't contentious, he said, "Ah, I don't know about that, but we'll see tomorrow."

A few seconds later, Howard added: "I'm always upbeat. Did you think I'd be anything different? I'm always upbeat regardless. We went in. We had the process. We find out tomorrow how it goes, but either way it is what it is."

Howard's agent, Casey Close, cut off the slugger's brief interview with reporters. Close attended the hearing with Howard's father, Ron, and others. One longtime agent who had attended more than 30 arbitration hearings said that he had seen spouses attend them but that it was unusual for a parent to be present.

Howard's family is very involved in his contract negotiations. The family went through two agents in recent years before settling on Close.

Smith wouldn't say whether he was confident the Phillies would win.

Howard wouldn't say whether he was confident, either.

"It's a function of the numbers," Smith said. "It depends on the relative submissions as to what is more appropriate. Everybody's got different reasons for the numbers they submit."

Service time could be a big factor.

Howard has 2 years, 145 days of service time. Andruw Jones won a record $8.2 million from the Atlanta Braves in 2001, but had more than four years of service time. He also was in his second year of eligibility.

Alfonso Soriano won $10 million from the Washington Nationals in 2006, but lost at the hearing. He had sought $12 million, but had more than five years of service time. He was in his third year of eligibility.

Miguel Cabrera had to win his case last year against the Florida Marlins to earn $7.4 million. But he had more than three years of service, although - like Howard - he was in his first year of eligibility.

"That's certainly a major portion of the criteria," Smith said. "It's the length and consistency of the career. Basically, that's what the discussion is about. There's no denying his performance. It's a question of how that slots in with the rest of the criteria."

Howard was the National League's rookie of the year in 2005 and most valuable player in 2006. He has reached 100 home runs faster than any other player in baseball history. In the last two seasons, he has had 58 and 47 homers, respectively, and 149 and 136 RBIs.

Howard said he was happy the process was over.

"Hopefully, they weren't rough on him in there, because I've heard it can get pretty personal," teammate Jimmy Rollins said. "Of course, they are going to pick out - you know, . . . here and there just to fight their case. As long as they don't do anything personal, he'll be fine.

"He knows as long as he stays healthy that he's going to have success in this game. Obviously, with that success comes money. . . . Either way, you go from [$900,000] to $7 million or $10 million. You win."

Regardless of the result, Howard isn't going anywhere soon. He can't become a free agent until after the 2011 season.

"Win or lose, he's still playing with us, isn't he?" pitcher Brett Myers said.

But will he be happy?

Watch a video interview with Jimmy Rollins and find more coverage at http://go.philly.com/phillies.

See more photos from training camp at http://go.philly.com/photos.

Todd Zolecki is blogging frequently on the Howard hearing and more at http://go.philly.com/zozone.