Ryan Howard Will Be Missed

Philadelphia fans who’ve been wishful thinking that it would be nice to go back in time to reduce the length and or salary of Ryan Howard’s contract in the hopes of being more likely to trade him today better be careful what they’ve wished for. Howard is out for at least a reported six weeks with a torn meniscus and, depending on how well the Phillies play in his absence and their ability to remain in contention for the NL East crown or a wild card, may be out for the remainder of the season. Darin Ruf has been called up to play first base in place of the Big Piece.

Surprisingly, there are a number of people in Philadelphia who are under the delusion that Howard on the shelf in favor of Ruf is better for the team long term. Never mind that Ruf has only a modicum of success in his baseball career and Howard has averaged 132 RBIs per season since he came up in the 2005 season. Sure, Howard is an aging and recently an oft-injured slugger, who has a very expensive contract, at least as far as the Phillies are concerned. But the guy deserves more respect than he gets from some. The Phillies probably don’t win two pennants and a World Series without him. Is it a coincidence that the Phillies were also-rans before he emerged and champions after he took over the cleanup spot? Not at all.

Yet, it seems as if he’s never been “bulletproof” from heavy criticism like, say, Chase Utley. Will Howard have to wait until 2028, when the Phillies tip their cap to the 2008 team, to get the credit he deserves? It was announced Monday that Howard will require surgery, so we’re going to find out how much production the Phillies can get out of the first base position without him at it. It probably can’t be as bad as the first half of 2012 when Ty Wigginton started as the team’s first baseman, but it also can’t be as good as when Howard was swinging a healthy bat. There’s likely some rough terrain ahead for the Phillies as we approach the trade deadline unless Ruf can prove to be a competent Major League player.

Ed Condran is a contributing writer to Philly Sports Jabronis.