The latest issue, dated February 2nd, of the Sporting News features a cover story on Phillies slugger Ryan Howard. In the issue, Ken Bradley asked Hall of Fame third baseman Mike Schmidt who would hit more homers, Howard or Schmidt, in Schmidt's choice of an era. Old #20 had this to say about choosing himself...
The magazine also features a sidebar with Shane Victorino, who says we don't know Ryan Howard like he knows Ryan Howard (whoop-de-whoop indeed!) and a delicious looking Subway ad featuring Ryan. You can pick up the issue on news stands in the coming days.
This era and the stadiums they play in today- and it's not a
chip-on-the-shoulder thing or sour grapes by me- it's probably about a 10-a-year
difference. Slicing the ball to the opposite field and having it go out of
the ballpark didn't happen very often when I played. I flew out to the
opposite-field warning track maybe 50 times a year, and 10 of those would go out
of the park now. (But) we'd be very similar. In terms of being able
to go 50-plus, 60-plus, he might have a little bit more of that kind of ability,
but our numbers would probably average somewhere in the 40's on a regular basis.
Please chime in with your thoughts on this matter in the comments section and vote in the poll. Who would be there better power hitter?
In the issue, Howard comments safely on sports phans in Philadelphia, stating...
They get on you because they want you to do well.
Asked about coming up in the Phils minor league system with Jim Thome blocking his path to the majors, Ryan said...
I remember when he signed, I was like, 'Yeah! Wow! We got Jim Thome!' That was the fan in me coming out. But then the minor
leaguer in me was like, "Damn. We just signed Jim Thome."
Howard was also asked about what might concern him more, his batting average or his high strike out totals. He said...
Overall , it's just hits. Really and truthfully, the strikeouts are part of the game. I just happen to do it a little more than somebody else who may ground out. I think it's kind of overrated. I had, what, 199
strikeouts last year? And I still led the major leagues in homeruns and
RBI's. So, I mean, whoop-de-whoop.
The magazine also features a sidebar with Shane Victorino, who says we don't know Ryan Howard like he knows Ryan Howard (whoop-de-whoop indeed!) and a delicious looking Subway ad featuring Ryan. You can pick up the issue on news stands in the coming days.
Comments
I love Schmitty, but Howard is raw power, so I give Ryan the upperhand. However, Schmidt is bar far the superior player.
I love that the HOFer takes his rightful honor and declares that he'd have been more prolific in today's parks (a solid fact- yes number twenty would've clocked at least ten more dingers per year). And in the same breath he credits Ryno for being more of a pure power hitter.
It's too early to assume number six will be a Hall of Famer, Mr. Howard needs to put up a few more years of gawdy numbers before he can stand shoulder to shoulder with Mike.
Aint it great to have both of em in Phils lore!