Why Manuel Selected Howard
Posted by Amanda Orr, Tue, July 07, 2009 08:00 AM | Comments: 96
Analysis, Posts
Every year around this time, there is always a debate of who was “snubbed” from the All Star game or complaints about the voting system. There may be other players who deserve it more than Ryan Howard (Pablo Sandoval, etc.) however, Charlie Manuel picked Howard as a reserve for the All Star team and his reasons are understandable.
First off, Howard is Phillie. Manuel’s players are the reason he is coaching the All Star Game in the first place.
Second, Howard is from St. Louis. His numbers at Busch Stadium are incredible. In 17 games, Howard is batting .381 (24-for-63) with 7 HR and 29 RBI. His on-base percentage is .536, his slugging percentage is .746 and his OPS is 1.282.
The National League has four first baseman (Albert Pujols, Adrian Gonzalez, Prince Fielder and Howard), so chances are Howard will not get to play. However, Howard could pinch hit and Manuel feels that Howard is a reliable bat off the bench. He has proven he can hit in his hometown and hit in a pinch. If this is any indication, Manuel isn’t going to make everyone happy. He is going for the win.
Third, there was a section on the All Star ballots to vote for possible Home Run Derby contestants. Howard finished second in the balloting, and he will indeed participate in the home run derby, which he won in 2006.
Whether it is the Home Run Derby, or a pinch hit at-bat, this is Howard’s chance to shine in front of his hometown, and make the most out of the situation.
Posts: 0 Kevin
I’m not sure why there has been so much fuss about Howard going to the All Star game. Correct me if I’m wrong, but he did finish SECOND in the fan voting, did he not? If you finish second then why wouldn’t you go???
Posted: 08:53 AM on July 7, 2009
Posts: 0 Phil
Yeah Kevin, Rollins finished second too. Howard is not that good this year. He could be good if he learned to draw a walk. His OBP is god awful. I understand Manuel wants to take his own guys so he should have taken Victorino or Werth probably the latter.
Posted: 09:17 AM on July 7, 2009
Posts: 0 Geoff
I cant believe the Blue Jays have actually made Roy Halladay available. The Phillies had better be calling them right now. Obviously you cant trade Drabek or Taylor, but almost everyone else is available. Drabek is a surefire frontline starter, and you just dont trade guys like that.
Maybe Jayson Werth, Carlos Carrasco, Jason Donald, & Jason Knapp. Thats what it would take, and I may be on the light side.
Posted: 09:28 AM on July 7, 2009
Posts: 0 Steve
Charlie Manuel can pick whoever he wants for the All-Star game, that’s the right that he won when he won the World Series. If the Giants have a problem with Sandoval not making the team, then they should try winning the World Series. That’s the system in place, and to the victors go the spoils, right? Besides, enough players are going to opt out with injuries (real or otherwise) that most of the deserving players who got snubbed will probably make it in anyway.
Posted: 09:38 AM on July 7, 2009
Posts: 0 Manny
Howard should get 2 PAs in his hometown. The fat vegetarian and Gonzalez should pinch-hit for someone besides Pujols and Howard.
Posted: 09:41 AM on July 7, 2009
Posts: 0 gabriel
@ Steve:
agreed… just one of the perks of being the WFC’s…
and oh man, howard has TERRIBLE numbers this year! 20 HRs and 60 RBIs… those are certainly not all-star numbers (laying on the sarcasm thick). this guy is a perrenial 40+ HR / 110+ RBI producer and that’s no longer good enough to earn an allstar spot? man i thought the roid era was coming to an end…
Posted: 09:46 AM on July 7, 2009
Posts: 0 Manny
You’re right Steve. Plus, anyone remembers that RYAN HOWARD did not go to the All-Star game last year despite the tiny, little fact that HE WAS LEADING THE MLB IN HRs and RBIs!?
And what about Pat Burrell not going last year because Milwaukee went crazy over Corey Hart? Double-snub.
This year, with Ibanez probably getting limited playing time, and Beltran out with his injury, we’ll need outfielders. Vote 4 Shane.
Posted: 09:51 AM on July 7, 2009
Posts: 0 SuperFan
check out SuperLogoz.com to get your official SuperFan gear!!
Posted: 09:56 AM on July 7, 2009
Posts: 0 Papa Thompson
Howard is clearly a better choice than Werth, in my opinion.
As Charlie pointed out on last night’s pregame, he’d like to be able to turn to a guy like Howard or Prince Fielder as a pinch-hitter late in the game.
And as far as pinch-hitting goes, there’s no comparison between Howard and Werth. Howard is simply clutch — 11 for 28 as a pinch-hitter (.393) with 5 HRs and 12 RBI. Werth has three pinch-hit HRs and 9 RBI, but overall he’s 11 for 47 (.234)
You can’t convince me Werth ought to go over Howard just because his OBP is 40 points higher and his average is slightly better – especially when his power numbers aren’t as good.
Posted: 10:08 AM on July 7, 2009
Posts: 0 TBT
He’s finished in the top 5 in MVP voting in each of the last three seasons. He’s led or been runner up in home runs and RBI’s in the NL the last three seasons. He’s on pace for 40+ home runs and 120+ RBI’s. His fielding has improved this season. He’s the most imposing offensive weapon on the defending World Series champion. It’s ridiculous that there’d even be an issue with his presence on the All-Star team.
Posted: 10:12 AM on July 7, 2009
Posts: 0 Phil
RBI’s are one of the worst stats to judge a players ability on. It’s line up and team dependent. Howard bats 4th in a stacked Phillies line-up…Albert Pujols bats 3rd in a $hitty Cardinals line-up…
Posted: 10:12 AM on July 7, 2009
Posts: 0 Richie
Win the World Series and you get to pick your team…simply put….Charlie doesn’t want some Giant’s Rookie over the beast that is Ryan Howard…oh well…they are the rules…live with it!!!
Posted: 10:19 AM on July 7, 2009
Posts: 0 Papa Thompson
Stacked Phillies line-up?!?!?!?
Our lead-off hitter is batting .222 – after spending the better part of a week on a terror.
Skip Schumaker is hitting .300 for St. Louis.
Posted: 10:24 AM on July 7, 2009
Posts: 0 Miles
Even though the All-Star team is determined solely on stats prior to July, Howard’s numbers from previous falls need to looked at as well. The guy is always a second half player. Not to mention he is a former ROY, MVP, Home Run Derby champ, and the leading slugger on the WFCs. Correct me if I’m wrong, but hasn’t he only been on this team once? The guy is about to become the fastest ever to 200 home runs. There are so many reasons for him to be on the team that I can’t even count them.
Posted: 10:30 AM on July 7, 2009
Posts: 0 DHall
Sorry, I just don’t think that a guy batting .250 deserves to be in the All Star Game.
Posted: 10:56 AM on July 7, 2009
Posts: 0 Richie
Hey Pablo Sandoval…sometimes you get the elevator and sometimes ya get the shaft!!! Beat it!!!
Posted: 11:11 AM on July 7, 2009
Posts: 0 Papa Thompson
A closer look at Pujols and Howard shows they bat with a similarly set table. The three hitters ahead of Howard (Rollins, Victorino and Utley) appear to have a combined OBP of .355. The two hitting ahead of Pujols (Schumaker and Rasmus) combine for a .344 OBP.
So don’t believe for second the idea that Howard rides others’ coattails while Pujols wears the coat. That doesn’t seem to bear out.
That said, Pujols is probably the best player in baseball, and likely will go down as one of the best ever. He’s a much better hitter than Howard … you’d never get away with putting the shift on Pujols. And his name is fun to say. But Howard definitely deserved the second-highest vote total at 1B, and he deserves to be part of the squad.
Posted: 11:16 AM on July 7, 2009
Posts: 0 lets go mets !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!lets go mets !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!lets go mets go !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lets go mets lets go mets we are going to come from behind oh I can’t wait. all of our injuried boys will come back and they are saying help is on the way dear!!!! the also say that its easy to grin when the baseball ship comes in. With Reyes BAM! Delgado BAM! Beltran BAM! Maine BAM Perez BAM! Putz BAM! Wagner BAM! wEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE are going alllllll the wwwwwwaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted: 11:39 AM on July 7, 2009
Posts: 0 lets go mets !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!lets go mets !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!lets go mets go !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
haha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha U dont stand a chance when alll my boys come back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ha ha ha ha our rotation is the best in the WWWWWWWOOOOORRRRRLLLLLLDDD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and your rotation is the worst in the WWOORRLLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m so happy I just fell like singing!!!!!! la la la la the mets will win la la la la the mets are gonna win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted: 11:43 AM on July 7, 2009
Posts: 0 Jeff
This jerk Mets fan should not be allowed here. To come in here and fill this board up like that. JERK. First off Reyes and Delgado are wastes. Delgado is a steroid freak thats off the juice. He is finished and Reyes is only good when he actually gets on base. Jerk we won the world series with the same rotation minus Myers. You jerk.
Posted: 12:11 PM on July 7, 2009
Posts: 0 lets go mets !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!lets go mets !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!lets go mets go !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
here is my new song I wrote. They want us to quit they say mets give up the fight still to Philly I say good night forever good night! I hear the cannons ROAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I see the mets born mets free forever more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! does anybody see what I see?
Posted: 12:17 PM on July 7, 2009
Posts: 0 lets go mets !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!lets go mets !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!lets go mets go !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Delgado is not on steroids so ha ha ha phillies ERA 4.67. and if Reyes is a waste why does yahoo have him as the 4 best fantasy player? Delgado has close to 500 home runs anyway know what you are talking about
Posted: 12:25 PM on July 7, 2009
Posts: 0 Steve
That can’t be a real Mets fan, it has to be someone messing around, not even the dumbest Mets fan is that deluded
Posted: 12:29 PM on July 7, 2009
Posts: 0 Chuck P
I don’t get it… Howard is a stud. He’s an RBI machine… he has been one of the most productive hitters in baseball history over his first four and a half seasons and this city acts like he’s easily replaceable because his batting average is only .255. Give me a break… batting average doesn’t score runs. If the objective of the cleanup hitter is to drive in runs, then Howard is doing it, and doing it, and doing it well. Without a leadoff hitter, he’s 4th in the NL in RBI’s… No one is arguing with the fact that Pujols is having a better season but Howard DEFINITELY deserves the nod.
Posted: 12:31 PM on July 7, 2009
Posts: 0 22-1 ANNIHILATORS
This is your time to Shine Howard!
Posted: 12:32 PM on July 7, 2009
Posts: 0 Phil
Really TBT? You think the writers know what they’re talking about when it comes to voting for an MVP? Dustin Pedroia won last year…so undeserved. Furthermore, Howard is not the most imposing offensive weapon on our team. Wouldn’t it be logical that the best hitter on the team is the most opposing offensive threat? The best hitter on the team is Chase Utley…
Posted: 12:33 PM on July 7, 2009
Posts: 0 Chuck P
A close friend of mine is a Mets fan… he’s on suicide watch. He’s ready to storm Minaya’s palace with flaming pitchforks… that is not a real Mets fan.
Posted: 12:33 PM on July 7, 2009
Posts: 0 matt
you check yahoo fantasy lists for your baseball information?
Posted: 12:37 PM on July 7, 2009
Posts: 0 Jeff
21 Runs last night baby. I cant wait for Joe Torre and The Dodgers sweep the Mets. The phillies will run away with this.
Posted: 12:38 PM on July 7, 2009
Posts: 0 Chuck P
By the way… Howard is a second half player. Post all-star, his batting average and slugging percentages are 50 points and 100 points higher than they are pre all-star break (respectively). He could easily end up with 55 HR and 150 RBI.
Posted: 12:42 PM on July 7, 2009
Posts: 0 lets go mets !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!lets go mets !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!lets go mets go !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
wrong wrong wrong the Mets are the best. better than you ha ha ha ha.we just have to stay close until our boys come back then we will win ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha since I am so good at writing music I will call my self the angel of music. I am the angel of music come to your angel of music. lets go mets lets go mets ha ha ha ha ha ha ha I’m right your wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted: 12:52 PM on July 7, 2009
Posts: 0 lets go mets !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!lets go mets !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!lets go mets go !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I made a new song for Jose Reyes because he plays a violin I made this song. He plays the violin and he tucks it right under his chin for he bows yes he bows for he knows yes he knows High high high diddle diddle. good bye to the fiddle my strings are unstrung high high high high. He plays the violin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted: 12:57 PM on July 7, 2009
Posts: 0 lets go mets !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!lets go mets !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!lets go mets go !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I forgot one part I hear his violin and I get that felling within.
Posted: 01:00 PM on July 7, 2009
Posts: 0 Jeff Y.
What as asshole.
Posted: 01:09 PM on July 7, 2009
Posts: 0 Miles
I really don’t hope you think any of this is actually going to upset us, Mr. Met. You can try your best to annoy us, but you will succeed about as much as the Mets did at CBP this past weekend. Also, get yourself checked out. Good grief.
Posted: 01:09 PM on July 7, 2009
Posts: 0 Miles has piles
It hurts!!!!!
Posted: 01:15 PM on July 7, 2009
Posts: 0 Miles has piles
My vains hurt on my behind.
Posted: 01:17 PM on July 7, 2009
Posts: 0 Phil
Howard’s BA doesn’t bother me one bit…his OBP makes me angry though. Howard could be an OB machine but he refuses to take a walk. When you have Werth, Stairs, or Ibanez batting behind you on any given night draw a walk…any of those 3 are a threat to hit an extra base hit and get him to 3rd or home.
Posted: 02:13 PM on July 7, 2009
Posts: 0 Jeff
I am not even worried about the mutts. they have no pitching. santana is becoming another nobody. hes not scary. we took care of that boy. they have a AAA team. i love when wright comes up with the bases loaded. DOUBLE PLAY. Delgado is aweful. Reyes is a punk. Oh no church, evans. scary. i think this guy wrting all this is really really into robby alamar….LOL BOY
Posted: 02:14 PM on July 7, 2009
Posts: 0 Phil
Jeff…are you for real, Santana is a nobody? hahahaha he’s been the most dominant pitcher this decade and is still a top 5 pitcher in the entire league. He is a 2nd half pitcher and a cy young threat every year.
Posted: 02:15 PM on July 7, 2009
Posts: 0 Gavin
Interesting post on Philly.com High Cheese……what it would take to get Hallady. Well done article and comparison of what it took to get Sabathia. I think its doable although the Phillies dont have alot of major league ready talent to give up, and I dont agree with giving up a guy already a major contributer to the big league club (ie. Victorino or Werth).
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/How_much_is_too_much_for_Halladay.html
My 2 cents:
I would love a move to get Hallady. I think it would be ok to get rid of a few big time blue chippers to do it. My offer to the Jays would be:
Marson/Carrasco/Kendrick/D. Brown/Possibly a mid teir minor leaguer
Posted: 02:22 PM on July 7, 2009
Posts: 0 Phil
I’d give up that package but I’d put Taylor in there over D. Brown. Brown is projected to be as good offensively as Taylor, but he’ll be faster, with a better arm, and playing CF instead of corner outfield.
Posted: 02:31 PM on July 7, 2009
Posts: 0 Jeff
I would not give up the farm for halliday. he is 32 years old. drabek is our future. happ is our future. they need to bring in a pitcher that wont cost us big time talent. they should bring up carrasco. him happ, blanton, moyer, and hamels. i like that.
Posted: 02:34 PM on July 7, 2009
Posts: 0 Steve-o
Tough call on Brown/Taylor. I’d give one of them up, I just don’t know which one. But my package would be Brown/Taylor, plus Carrasco, Marson/Donald and another prospect. I’d stay away from Major league players, and Toronto’s OF is pretty intact, which means they probably wouldn’t have too much interest in Werth or Victorino anyways.
Posted: 02:35 PM on July 7, 2009
Posts: 0 Phil
Jeff, Halladay is the 2nd best pitcher of this decade and a sinker baller with no significant injury history other than the groin(once) and a come backer fastball. His arms are fine. Sinkerballers have longevity on their side. He’s a future HoFer and giving up a kings ransom for him would be worth it.
Posted: 02:36 PM on July 7, 2009
Posts: 0 Steve-o
Yeah Jeff, gotta disagree with you. Carrasco Drabek, and Happ may be the future, but by the time they have hit their prime, JRolls, Utley, and Howard will be past theirs. This team has a 2-4 year window right now, and it’s important that they attack while they can.
Posted: 02:40 PM on July 7, 2009
Posts: 0 Keith
Halladay would be great, if we can do it without losing anybody from our current roster plus Drabek and Taylor I’d do it.
Posted: 02:44 PM on July 7, 2009
Posts: 0 Phil
I’d give up anyone in the minors not named Drabek…
Posted: 02:47 PM on July 7, 2009
Posts: 0 Chuck P
The best thing that happened this season… the Phillies getting beaten twice in one week, including a near no-hitter, by Ricky Romero.
Let me explain…
Ricky Romero’s emergence as a ML-ready pitcher (he’s been re-donkulous in his last 7 starts) has the BJ’s feeling like they can live without Halladay… which is crazy… but the door has been opened and we have an opportunity to make a big splash. We’ll see your Santana and raise you Halladay!
Gavin… if that would get it done, I would be all about it but if the BoSox are throwing Buchholz out there, we’re probably going to have to give them Happ and I’m ok with that if it allows us to keep Carrasco/Drabek.
Marson has great value and Toronto needs a catcher… a deal headlined by Marson, Happ, D. Brown and Knapp OR Kendrick OR player to be named would be comparable to anything out there, I would think.
Posted: 02:53 PM on July 7, 2009
Posts: 0 psujoe
I like option #5 in the article. Brown, Carrasco, Marson and Kendrick. Flip Taylor for Brown(keep the one we think has a better future). It’s rare you get three stud every day players like Utley, Rollins and Howard. Tossin Ibanez. Now is the time. Hamels, Halladay, Blanton, Happ and Moyer is a darn good staff! Heck, we may even be able to resign Halladay if he’s still healthy.
Posted: 02:54 PM on July 7, 2009