Today on www.BetUSradio.com - Now Ryan Howard is carrying the Phillies big stickby Eric WilliamsWhen it comes to dissecting the 2006 Philadelphia Phillies and their chances to compete in the postseason for the first time since 1993, there may not be a single player on the entire roster whose contributions are going to be more significant than those of first baseman, Ryan Howard. I know that may sound like a lot of pressure on a player who will only be entering his second full season of starting in the major leagues, but it is evident that Howard has the ability to potentially carry the Phillies through - or end - any slump they might endure, with one mighty swing of the bat. Let me explain my reasoning on why Howard's contributions may be more important this season than any other Phillies field-position player. Looking at the infield, it looks like the Phillies are finally beginning the process to rid themselves of the albatross that has been David Bell. Succinctly, I say that whatever production they get out of third base this season, will be a vast improvement over the production they have received the past couple of seasons. However, I must also say that it is a shame to see this franchise struggle so badly to acquire an above average third-baseman when the greatest third-baseman of all-time (Mike Schmidt) spent his entire career in Philadelphia magically plying his trade to hordes of ungrateful fans for nearly two decades. At shortstop, the Phillies are in good shape for at least the next half-decade with an ever improving Jimmy Rollins. At second base, I think it is pretty evident that Chase Utley is the real deal. If he performs anywhere near the level he displayed in 2005 - and I don't see any reason why he wouldn't - then the Phillies can expect at least 25-30 homers and somewhere between 75-90 RBI, outstanding numbers for a second baseman. Even with the Phillies outfielders, you pretty much know what kind of production you're going to get. Pat Burrell is a guy who can hit 35-plus homers and drive in 110 runs while batting somewhere near .280. Bobby Abreu is going to hit .320 or so with 30-plus home runs, 30 stolen bases and 100 RBI and runs scored. The same with Aaron Rowland. He's going to hit between .280 and .300 with about 25 home runs and 80-90 RBI, while playing an above average centerfield. So with the majority of the Phillies lineup, at least offensively, you know exactly what you're going to get. With Howard, who displayed remarkable potential while subbing for an injured Jim Thome last year, you know he's a young guy with amazing potential and power - but the questions are obviously going to be there about whether he can perform at the level he did last year for a full season. Which is what brings me to the conclusion that, as Ryan Howard goes, so goes the Phillies offense - especially on the road when they are playing in larger stadiums. But, before I go any further, let me also make sure that is clear that the Phillies pitching, or lack of it, as usual, will play the biggest part in how well this team does this year, but hey, that's a story for another day. Now, I have seen one-hit wonders come and go in nearly every sport for over three decades, but I firmly believe that Howard is going to produce, at some point in his career, in the same manner as the player he is currently most compared to, the Boston Red Sox' David Ortiz, more commonly referred to as "Big Poppi." Playing half of his games in the Phillies bandbox that is Citizen's Bank Park, I can easily see Howard mashing 40 home runs and driving in 100-plus runs if he stays healthy. If that is the case and the Phillies can get some quality pitching, maybe some of Howard's bombs can put the Phillies over the top in some close games. I know that's a lot of maybes, but I firmly believe Howard, the defending National League Rookie of the Year, will hold up his end of the bargain. By all accounts, Howard who grew up in west St. Louis and played tight end and defensive end at Lafayette High School, certainly has the right temperament to become a superstar. "He's a silent assassin," said Phillies teammate Shane Victorino. "He's a big man and can be intimidating, but he's so soft-spoken. But you always know when he's around. It's in his character. He wants to be that guy. He wants to carry that load, and that's a special characteristic to have." Rollins, the Phillies best fielder and one of the most improved contact hitters in the game, agreed with Victorino. "Yep, because he wants to be a perfectionist at everything," said Rollins. In the last five years, Howard, a communications major in college has gone from two-sport high school star to college All-America at Southwest Missouri State to NL Rookie of the Year. He says that he learned one of his biggest lessons in sports - and life - and one that was taught to him much earlier by his father - during his junior year in college when he struck out a school-record 74 times back in 2001. "My junior was just a bad year," he said. "I guess you're not allowed to have an off year because everybody gives up on you. That's considered the big year. I heard people talking about draft-itis. When I look at it now, that was probably the most important year I've had because it allowed me to see what it's like on the other side. It's something everyone needs to go through. That came from my dad. He taught us to be that way. That's just the mindset. You have to know there's going to be failure, and you have to let your failure motivate you." When new general manager Pat Gillick, took over as the Phillies new GM following the 2005 season, he knew something had to be done to get Howard, who would have been subbing again for Jim Thome in the DH-less NL, some playing time and Rollins agrees. "We knew something had to be done in the offseason," he said. "I was happy for him, because what more can he do in the minor leagues? Let's be real, especially in the last year and a half. There's no room for him down there. It's not like he's a guy who had a shot to get up here four or five different times to eat off the plate, in six small bites. He got up here and ate the whole meal. Look at him, he's a big man. He should eat the whole meal." Last year, the Phillies, who were very close to a postseason berth, entertained the idea of trading Howard for some pitching help down the stretch. Thankfully, none of those proposed trades ever got completed and Howard remained with the Phillies. This spring, Howard has been nothing short of spectacular. Howard is batting .333 and has surpassed the unofficial Phillies spring record for home runs with 10. If Howard's 107-game numbers (.288/.356/.567, 22 homers and 63 RBI), which project into a full season of 35-plus homers and 100-plus RBI - are a measuring stick for what lies ahead this season - and I believe it is - then the Phils can expect a monster season from their young power hitter. Howard however, isn't the type to get caught up in his own hype. He simply says of his frequent blasts, "It's just a matter of trying to provide a spark for the team, and trying to get everybody going." Eric Williams is a sports columnist for the Philadelphia Sunday Sun who can be heard every Wednesday at 3:15pm EST on www.BetUSradio.com. Contact Eric at eklass66@yahoo.com. --- by BetUSradio at 1800-sports.com on April 03, 2006
Sportsbook Babes - UFC Octagon Girls
Featured
|
|
© 1800-Sports.com
1998-2008. All rights reserved.
Information contained in this Web site is intended for recreational purposes only. Access to information contained in this Web site is void where prohibited