Ryan Howard's hitless finale still provides one more lasting memory
This moment, unlike all the unforgettable ones we witnessed during Ryan Howard's mighty career in a Phillies uniform, was planned. Choreography, however, could not diminish it because Howard's reaction to his career-ending tribute in Philadelphia was so real, raw, and spontaneous.
This moment, unlike all the unforgettable ones we witnessed during Ryan Howard's mighty career in a Phillies uniform, was planned. Choreography, however, could not diminish it because Howard's reaction to his career-ending tribute in Philadelphia was so real, raw, and spontaneous.
Emotions Howard had tried to conceal in his final days with the only organization he has ever played for poured over him Sunday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park. On this day, he got to see exactly how much the Phillies, their fans, and even a heated rival appreciated all he has done during his 13 big-league seasons.
A 91-loss team does not typically draw 36,935 fans to its last game of a fifth straight losing season, even if it is Fan Appreciation Day. This, however, was much more than that and the Phillies and their fans were prepared for it.
In addition to the multitude of Howard home run memories and victory celebrations that flashed on the giant scoreboard beyond left field, the Phillies also had Howard's 15-year-old son Darian place a marker in the left-center field location where his father slugged his club record 58th home run a decade ago.
That was enough to bring tears to the father's eyes.
"That was crazy," Howard said. "To see him be out there . . . and to be a part of this by marking the seat, it was definitely something special because he has basically grown up here as well."
Darian was 4 when his father won the rookie of the year award in 2005.
Howard was already brimming with emotion when he saw how many people had decided to take the opportunity on a dreary day to see him play for the Phillies one final time. Howard's teammates, a young group that gravitated toward the first baseman throughout another difficult season, lined up along the rail in the home dugout.
Players from the New York Mets, meanwhile, applauded as they stretched in the outfield. Mets manager Terry Collins stood on the steps of the visiting dugout and took in every moment of the tribute. Howard tipped his cap to the New York manager and later hugged him when the two men exchanged lineup cards.
"It's funny because I was thinking about it," Howard said. "I hit my first home run against the Mets [off Bartolome Fortunato in 2004] and [Saturday] I hit my last home run probably as a Phillie against the Mets."
He hit 380 others in between, including a total of 48 against the Mets. He went hitless in four at-bats in his final game Sunday, but even his second-inning strikeout (the 1,843rd of his career) and his sixth-inning double-play grounder back to the pitcher drew applause.
"This is great," Howard told the crowd at the end of his impromptu speech before the game. "Thank you again from the bottom of my heart."
His earlier words had triggered some thunderous ovations.
"We had some good runs, didn't we?" Howard said.
Boy, did they, and Howard was the man in the middle of it all.
Seven games behind the Mets with 17 to play in 2007 and the Phillies rallied for their first National League East title in 14 years. Did you remember that Howard hit .317 with a .494 on-base percentage, nine home runs, 21 RBIs, and a 1.294 OPS in that miraculous stretch run?
A year later, the Phillies were 31/2 games behind the Mets with 16 to play. They finished 13-3. Howard hit .358 with a .446 on-base percentage, six home runs, 20 RBIs, and a 1.257 OPS during that critical stretch, which led to a 2008 World Series title.
There was nothing quite like watching Ryan Howard from that time he came up for good in the middle of the 2005 season until the time he ruptured the Achilles tendon in his left foot, signaling the end of the second great run in Phillies history.
Howard is the primary reason I hate the WAR statistic that has become so popular in the analytics age. Only one player - Albert Pujols - hit more home runs than Howard from 2005 through 2011 and he hit only one more than Howard's 284. Howard's 859 RBIs in that span were 34 more than any player in baseball. But lots of players had a higher WAR.
Nobody had more power. Howard, after hitting 14 home runs with 34 RBIs in his final 49 games this season, believes there is more baseball left in him and he admitted he could not be satisfied with all he has already accomplished.
"I know there is still more in the tank," Howard said. "I tell my wife all the time, I'll know when it is time. I just want to get it all out of the tank and have no regrets. I don't want to sit at home and say, 'You know, I wish I could still go back out there and play.' I don't want to have those kind of thoughts. I'll know when it is time."
Howard's time in Philadelphia expired Sunday, but only after a sentimental goodbye that left no doubt about how the Phillies and their fans feel about him.
"I must admit I had a tear welling up in my eye," Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said. "It was a pretty different kind of day."
The kind you'll remember forever if you were there and how many of those days did Ryan Howard give us over the years?
@brookob