September 02, 2016
Ryan Howard, the last member of the Phillies' 2008 World Series team still on the roster, is nearing the end of his time in South Philly. And things are getting awkward. The first baseman said he didn't think it was fair that manager Pete Mackanin was cutting his playing time for the final month of the season, citing the facts that he won't be back next year and that Mackanin has had plenty of chances to evaluate his younger counterpart Tommy Joseph this season.
Hopefully, once it's all said and done, Howard will get the same love and appreciation that his former teammates Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley and Carlos Ruiz did for bringing Philly the best run of Phillies baseball in franchise history. Right now, though, the good times seem distant, with his slumping numbers and a bloated contract that's nearing its end.
Maybe in an attempt to remind Phillies fans of the good ol' days, MLB's YouTube page unloaded a trove of old Howard highlights on Thursday night. The clips mainly are from his 2006 MVP season up until the 2008 title run, and they hark back to a time when fans held up signs that read "Howitzer" in reference to the Big Piece's powerful bat. So before Howard takes off the red pinstripes for good, take a trip down memory lane:
First career home run (back when he wore No. 12) ...
Tying, go-ahead homers in Cincy...
Homers 50, 51 and 52 in MVP season...
And one more for good measure...
