20 Pounds Lighter, Howard Says He’s Ready
Posted by Amanda Orr, Sat, February 14, 2009 05:51 AM | Comments: 15
News, Posts
Although position players aren’t expected to report to camp for a few more days, Ryan Howard reported to Spring Training early, looking trimmer. He lost 20 pounds.
“I wanted to get to a playing weight and feel good, feel light, feel fast [and] strong and go from there. I definitely feel better. Endurance is better. Everything — my whole body — just feels a lot better.”
Howard also spoke about his 3 year, $54 million contract and the upcoming season.
“I think the biggest thing was trying to get something done as far as … not having to go to arbitration. The talks were actually very good. Back and forth, pretty quick.”
And to improve his defense — which had been criticized widely throughout his career — Howard worked at length with new coach Sam Perlozzo.
Posts: 0 NJ
If Ryan can be disciplined with his food fingers cross some of that discipline can spill over to the plate. It’s going to be nice to see what Ryan can do without the contract situation looming.
Posted: 06:14 AM on February 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Groty
Damn it, I thought his bat came from his belly.
Atleast he didn’t pull a Prince Fielder and go vegetarian.
Posted: 06:46 AM on February 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Andrew R.
Well it is nice to see a positive attitude. He always said the right thing, but I think this contract stuff has really taken a load off his mind. Now just go out there and play ball.
Posted: 08:13 AM on February 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Tyler
i gotta say i like this news… sounds very promising… very nice to see some of the players putting extra work in this offseason
Posted: 08:59 AM on February 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Dleibs
did anybody else also see brett myers having lost 30 pounds! he looks ready to compete this year.
Posted: 09:03 AM on February 14, 2009
Posts: 0 KM
This is very encouraging. I just hope he can also cut down his strikeouts – even if he struck out 170 times, his average would be 15 points higher, and he would probably drive in more runs.
Posted: 09:38 AM on February 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Kev
i like the dedication and work ethic, this isn’t good for the rest of the league
Posted: 09:51 AM on February 14, 2009
Posts: 0 christopher
sounds like a step in the right step to start the road to next season.
Posted: 09:57 AM on February 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Geoff
This is exactly what howard needed. Im very pleased to hear be dropped 20 pounds. this will allow him to improve defensively and maybe stand closer to the plate as well. this is a positive thing. i didn know myers lost so much weight, which will mean hell be in better condition as well. good news all around.
Posted: 10:12 AM on February 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Griffin
I hope the 20 pounds he lost were the ones that couldn’t hit left-handed pitching.
In all seriousness good for Howard. I’m not sure that taken extra grounders is going to improve his lack of mobility in the field, but it can’t hurt.
Posted: 10:13 AM on February 14, 2009
Posts: 0 BurrGundy
All parts of Howard’s game will improve, even defense. Discipline is a learned trait and the discipline he learned from losing weight will help his discipline at the plate. If this man has three more years like the last three, we are truly looking at a future Hall-of-Fame player and one of the truly great power hitters. Combine this with Utley, Rollins and Cole Hamels and WOW !!!! We have a lot to look forward to in 2009 and beyond.
Posted: 11:51 AM on February 14, 2009
Posts: 0 w
Guess he realized he shouldnt take roids anymore
Posted: 01:59 PM on February 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Georgie
It sounds like he’s really trying to improve himself, the weight loss should make him more agile and able to scoop up some of those grounders a little better. I’m sure it was no easy task for him to lose that much weight, shows discipline and a good work ethic, very impressive.
Posted: 04:56 PM on February 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Grrrumpy Miner
Groty…..I love a good steak all the time,but whats wrong with being a vageterian?
Posted: 11:46 PM on February 14, 2009
Posts: 0 POPPJOBB
I think – Now that Howard does not have a contract to play for, he will not have the drive and determination to continue putting up his numbers.
Posted: 09:02 PM on February 15, 2009