It's pretty obvious Ryan Howard has a tremendous impact on the Phillies offense. After all, he almost single-handedly carried them to the playoffs last year.
But I did not realize how much he can help others.
I had heard plenty of anecdotal evidence from Charlie Manuel and others how Howard's simple presence in the lineup makes the offense run. But I was a little surprised when I looked at the actual numbers. Howard was on the disabled list with a strained left quadriceps from May 11 to May 24. He returned to the lineup May 25 in Atlanta. Four of the team's top five hitters have improved since Howard returned.
Coincidence?
Perhaps.
But it is interesting to look at:
Jimmy Rollins
Howard on the DL: .173, no homers, four RBIs, .207 OBP, .192 SLG, .399 OPS
Howard back: .296, four homers, 15 RBIs, .345 OBP, .574 SLG, .919 OPS
Shane Victorino
Howard on the DL: .227, no homers, four RBIs, .320 OBP, .294 SLG, .615 OPS
Howard back: .288, five homers, nine RBIs, .333 OBP, .481 SLG, .814 OPS
Chase Utley
Howard on the DL: .300, three homers, eight RBIs, .375 OBP, .560 SLG, .935 OPS
Howard back: .366, three homers, 20 RBIs, .434 OBP, .581 SLG, 1.015 OPS
Aaron Rowand
Howard on the DL: .250, two homers, nine RBIs, .286 OBP, .423 SLG, .709 OPS
Howard back: .291, three homers, 14 RBIs, .390 OBP, .442 SLG, .832 OPS
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The Phillies' minor-league system is ... getting better.
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The latest Philliescast is up.
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Jayson Stark's latest Rumblings and Grumblings had an interesting note on Utley ... and how teams should be intentionally walking him to face Howard.
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Scott Rolen called St. Louis "heaven" after the Phillies traded him here in 2002.
That's partly because their fans are diehard.
Diehard like these guys. These guys were interviewed after the Houston Astros beat the Cardinals in Game 6 to win the National League championship series at old Busch Stadium. You might have seen this video before. You might not have. But I can't help but notice two things about this video: 1) the constant use of hand gestures from the fan on the right; and 2) The fan on the left only talks about the three generations of family members who have watched Cardinals games at old Busch Stadium.
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I got a chance to chat with Jody Mac yesterday on Sports Radio 950.
Comments (2)
Todd,
Nice job on the podcast/log-in/ambush thing the other day.
Howard's defense (used generously) is bad. He blew 2, maybe 3 plays on Weds night, far as I can recall - muffing a double-play ball doesn't show up in the boxscore as an error, but it should. Missed that in the several loveletters in the papers today. While I won't defend Lieber, he did deserve a better fate the other night. Bonehead plays can't help but demoralize a pitcher. Listening to the Indian announcers on XM, you'd think our Phils were auditioning for the Benny Hill show (cue music).
And while Howard's hitting has improved - can't really go anywhere but up from .210, right? - let's not forget that he does lead ALL of baseball in one category - strikouts per at-bat. Actually, he's tied with Adam Dunn at 37 percent - one about every 2.7 ABs - but Dunn's the only one who gets the pub. I don't want to rain on anybody's parade here. Okay, maybe I do a little. I'm still mad that he came to camp fat, which led pretty directly to all the leg problems - although Rich Hoffman told me he came to camp fat last year, too, I've got the email to prove it. All those awards dinners, I get it. Hard to walk away from the Baked Alaska. But I guess I was hoping Jared from Subway would have rubbed off. Then there's how he actually looks at the plate this year. Now the leg is "apparently" better, and he looks like, as Billy Wags described Pat the Bat, a "one-track hitter." I think we can admit he's taken a huge step back this year from the past two. And, as much as he's helping the other guys - the numbers prove it - he's also killing the team at other times. How many huge ABs has he had - 2 guys on, one out - and he's struck out? Now granted, I can't hit either (there's a reason they have sports like cross-country), but at least put the ball in play. I'd say a lot of Howard's numbers this year are Abreu-esque.
You'd think, with all the sunshine out here, I'd be in a better mood. Today's a new day, right?
Posted by John in LA | June 22, 2007 12:22 PM
Posted on June 22, 2007 12:22
Todd: great pod cast with Jody Mac, especially your comments about Manual. On the Bourne thing replacing Rowand...does anyone really know if this kid can play? He doesn't get the starts in left that go to Werth and Dobbs and I haven't seen a lot of at bats that remind me of Ted Williams (or Ted Knight).
John in LA, you are right but at least Howard admitted he didn't get in his work in January, hope it left an impression for years to come. next winter they should make him work out with Utley. I think he still is favoring his groin, leg whatever, you can see a gimp when he runs the bases. He needs some extra fielding practice time next spring, he actually looks worse fielding this year than last and Todd pointed out his sidearm throws as another issue.
This group does make you crazy, doesn't it?
Posted by jimmymack | June 22, 2007 3:41 PM
Posted on June 22, 2007 15:41