CLEARWATER, Fla. -- The last two seasons have ended in disappointment, with Ryan Howard at the plate, once with his bat on his shoulder, once with him writhing in pain on the ground.
It sucks, Howard said of his starring role in the final scene of the Phillies last two playoff runs. Im not going to lie. It sucks.
And I know how it looks to everybody, like having the season come down and youre that guy two years in a row.
But I try to look at it positive: The last two seasons I got out, so I figure Im about due. Id love to be in that situation again.
Howard took a third strike to end Game 6 of the 2010 NLCS. Last year, he grounded out to seal the Phillies fate in the painfully decisive fifth game of the NLDS. Of course, the pain was doubly severe for Howard. He ruptured his left Achilles tendon on that final swing, an injury that required surgery a little over four months ago and will prevent him from opening the season on time.
Phillies officials have set May 1 as a loose target date for the slugging first basemans return to action. Manager Charlie Manuel has hinted that it could be sooner, but he is notoriously optimistic, a product of baseballs tape-an-aspirin-to-it generation. Phillies higher-ups will be very careful and conscientious in bringing Howard back as they dont want to risk a setback that would jeopardize his season.
Is it realistic that Howard be ready in May?
MLB
Well see, he said. Ask me in May. Im not going to put a time limit on it. Im going to listen to my body and see where we are.
Howard crossed a recovery barrier on Wednesday when he took batting practice for the first time since the injury. He is also doing light running and fielding of ground balls. He spent two months on the couch after the surgery and still needs to work himself into physical condition. That process is underway. It is unclear if he will get into some game action before the Phillies depart Florida, but its possible depending on his recovery.
From Jim Thome to Ty Wigginton, Laynce Nix and John Mayberry Jr., the Phillies have plenty of candidates to fill in at first base while Howard is out. Howard, 32, believes he can still be the player hes always been when he returns from the injury. He has had six straight seasons of at least 30 homers and 100 RBIs.
Manuel said he believes Howards best years could still be ahead of him. Thats a remarkable comment considering Howard hit .313 with 58 homers and 149 RBIs in his MVP season of 2006, and had two other seasons of at least 40 homers and 140 RBIs, but one that team management would love to see come true as Howard begins a five-year, 125 contract extension.
Yeah, I would like to think so, Howard said when asked if he believed the best was yet to come. Im just continuing to learn and to grow as a hitter and a player. If I take care of my body and stay healthy, I feel like I can go out there and do some damage.
Howards production has leveled off in recent seasons, mostly because pitchers throw him a steady diet of breaking balls and he often doesnt have the plate discipline to lay off them. The Phillies are hoping that 604-homer man Thome, in his return to Philadelphia, can help Howard grow as a hitter. Both are big, powerful, left-handed hitters that pitchers have attacked similarly. Manuel indicated Wednesday that Thome might be able to help Howard become a better student of hitting.
I think its just a matter of him doing all his homework, and talking a little more about his hitting, Manuel said. Talking about whos pitching that night, what hes got, what hes throwing, how hes going to pitch me, things like that.
Howard said hes already started conferring with Thome. They talked about approach to batting practice on Wednesday.
Im excited to have him here to pick his brain about any situation, Howard said. Hes a first-class guy. Hes a good guy to have to go to.
E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com