Thank You, Ryan Howard

By Uppy

Yesterday, October 2, 2016, was Ryan Howard's last day as a Philadelphia Phillie, and he deserves no less than a hero's exit. September 1, 2004, the day The Big Piece made his debut in Citizens Bank Park, changed the face of this franchise forever. For 12 years, number six anchored down the right side of the infield with his large nose, big bat, and full smile. He has been a staple of Philadelphia, hitting moonshots, snapping necks, and cashing checks (and boy has he been cashing BIG fucking checks for the last few years). A big check much better than the one Dukes received for hitting the most improbable shot in sports history:
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God my references are killer.

He shoots, he fucking scores!! 


Now back to the man of the hour.

From 2006 to 2011, Ryan Howard put up absolute bonkers numbers. 4 straight seasons with 40+ homeruns and 130+ RBI!!! Won the 2006 NL MVP with FIFTY EIGHT (58) HOME RUNS AND 149 RBI. Just silly. Silly to think that after the man tore his achilles in the 2011 NLDS, we essentially turned on him, like it was his fault he could no longer hit the ball 450 feet on one leg. Ryan Howard led the core of the 2008 World Series team, bringing Philly our first championship since 1980, and eliciting the greatest call in the history of sports: 

And also probably ending Lights Out Lidge's career with this impressive form tackle. 

Howard blessed us with 177 Harry Kalas home run calls and 382 dingers overall, with one traveling a country mile over the powerade sign in the third deck of CBP:
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and that alone is worth a plaque out in Ashburn Alley. While it is tough to watch the final piece of the 2008 dream team leave, it is refreshing to look towards the future of this team that was so incredibly bad before the teams of 2006 to 2012. Ryan Howard brought winning back to Philadelphia, and he should get his own parade down Broad Street.
  

In case you missed it, here is Ryan Howard's pre game farewell speech from Sunday's game:

Oh man is someone cutting onions in here?

​Thank you, Big Piece, for everything.

Love, Uppy