Ryan Howard Retirement Day Highlights
Phillies legend Ryan Howard was back at Citizens Bank Park this afternoon to take part in his retirement day festivities. Earlier this season, the team honored both Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley with similar events.
During a pregame ceremony that included a video tribute, Howard thanked Phillies fans for their support and talked about them as a motivating factor during his playing career. “They won’t boo you if you do what you’re supposed to do,” he said.
True.
Howard also thanked former Phillies GM Ed Wade and scout Jerry Lafferty, each of whom he credited for bringing him to Philadelphia. Former Phils manager Charlie Manuel, who was in attendance, got a shout out, too. “To my guy, Big Chuck. Always positive. Always found a way to pick you up,” Howard said of his former manager.
Here is the full ceremony:
Celebrate PECO @RyanHoward Retirement Day with us LIVE from CBP! https://t.co/4KshjjPmbT
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) July 14, 2019
More, after the jump.
Earlier in the day, Howard met with the media for nearly 20 minutes. It was pretty much standard fare. Among other topics, Howard reflected on the Phillies’ 2008 World Series win, the seasons he and his teammates fell just short, and some of his best games. Like this one:
Other topics included the shift and baseball’s increased usage of analytics. Howard joked that he would’ve been a .400 hitter without the shift, but did say he always thought himself to be a .300 hitter without it. Here’s the full press conference, via 94 WIP’s Howard Eskin:
Ryan Howard News Conference before his #Phillies retirement day. @sportsradiowip https://t.co/wk9Mka4aZE
— Howard Eskin (@howardeskin) July 14, 2019