Ryan Howard signed a five-year contract extension today with the Phillies, with a club option for 2017. The six-year deal guarantees Howard $125 million; the club option, if exercised, would bring it to $138 million. Since becoming an everyday player in July 2005, Howard, the 2005 NL Rookie of the Year, and 2006 NL MVP, has lead the majors in home runs, with 222, and RBI, with 650. He is one of just four players in baseball history to have four consecutive 40 HR/130 RBI seasons. The others: Babe Ruth, who did it seven seasons, and Ken Griffey, Jr., and Sammy Sosa, who each did it four seasons. Howard, now 30, is also the fastest player to reach 225 home runs.
Two years ago, after winning the World Series, Howard shed pounds and spent the offseason working on his defense. Last year, after the World Series, he shed pounds and spent time working with Barry Bonds on his hitting. But even more than that, there's "Get me to the plate, boys!" That's what Howard said as he charged up and down the dugout in that tremendous come-back game in the NLDS in Colorado last year. They did and he produced. As Cliff Lee marveled after that game, "I've never heard anybody say something like that."
Congratulations to Ryan Howard and to the Phillies. This is a win-win. I hope all of the homegrown guys--and Werth and Victorino--are here to stay.
