Thank You, Ryan Howard

Ryan Howard has played his final game for the Phillies and possibly his final game playing baseball. I only have a connection with two Phillies First basemen and that's Jim Thome and Ryan Howard. The Phillies, in my opinion, were a little late in bringing Ryan up to the Majors. Part of this was because Veteran Jim Thome was on the roster. I remember when Ryan Howard wore the Number 12 when he hit his first career Home Run against the Mets.

Ryan Howard kept me attending Phillies games and rooting from my living room. I appreciate everything Ryan Howard has done for the Phillies his entire time here. I enjoyed watching Ryan Howard being subbed out of the game for Tommy Joseph. It had the look of the passing of the torch to is hopefully the new first basemen for years to come. Tommy has big shoes to fill literally. It was refreshing for me to see a black guy flourish in the sport of baseball the way he did with the long ball. I got a chance to watch a team I root for, win it all in 2008 and Ryan was a big part of that or the "Big Piece" I should say.

Best wishes to you Ryan Howard and again Thank You.