Injury bug bites again…
For the first time since 2006 the Philadelphia Phillies will not take part in the postseason. In 2011 the Phillies won a franchise record 102 games and finished first in the NL East for the fifth consecutive season. A more than respectable final two months of 2012 somewhat makes up for a 46-57 April-July but there is still a possibility of Philadelphia finishing with an under .500 record.
Part of Philadelphia’s rough year can be traced to first baseman Ryan Howard missing a significant amount of time as a result of the torn Achilles he suffered in Game 5 of the National League Division Series last October. He appeared in just 71 games and produced a .219/.295/.423 line with 14 home runs and 56 RBI after making his season debut July 6.
As the 2012 season comes to an end for the Phillies it will do so the way it started for Ryan Howard, with an injury.
Ryan Howard broke a toe when he dropped that led pipe he swings in the on deck circle on his foot. Manuel said he won’t play again this year
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) September 29, 2012
Ryan Howard, 32, is owed $95 million over the next four years. Philadelphia has a $23 million team option for 2017. With the losses of Hunter Pence and Shane Victorino the Phillies will need Howard to remain healthy in 2013 to carry an offense that may have trouble providing run support for Cole Hamels and the pitching staff if he misses considerable time again.
Howard stay healthy, I doubt it. Even if he does, the SOs have to stop. He has power but think he has to use more and hit instead of swinging at air. Of course, he had RBIs and HRs but also had many SOs actually to many.
Say what you want but for that kind of money he had to many RISP who stayed that way.
enough said
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