Thank You Ryan Howard

As the Big Piece takes his final at bats for the Phillies - at home appropriately -  I hope appreciation for him continues to grow after he's gone. Isn't that the Philly way? Although it seems like it is already (post-beer bottle throwing incident). Injuries have ruined his career but i never understood the anger at his huge contract. It's not the fans money and if you look at the team, it's not like it has handcuffed them from acquiring players they wanted. 

I'll be curious if he retires at the end of the season or tries to be a DH in the AL on a much smaller salary. As we know, he can still hit righthanded pitching - with power. 

The legacy of the steroid era has made us all underappreciate the accomplishment of  25 homers a season and how few can do it. And to think back on the 58 he hit! 

My goodness.

Thank you, Ryan Howard for being a good ballplayer, a slugger extraordinaire, and a real gentleman.