Where are all the Howard haters now?

[Cedrique]

Earlier this year I was ridiculed on this board when I said I thought he would hit 40 bombs and have an ops over .900. Now he's on pace to do just that. I also said Reuben would be vindicated and make all the people complaining about Ryan's salary eat crow. Well, I hope you guys have some good recipes

 

[_phiLLies_]

agreed. i can't believe there were people questioning him. i'm thinking we should extend him another 2-3 years, around 30 million per? i don't want him getting anywhere near FA status.

 

[Omar 382]

It's the same people who were saying we should have gotten rid of Delmon Young last year. Defense is overrated. The guy can straight up rake!

 

[powerchord86]

 

[jvett77]

Howard seems to have changed his routine at the plate and moves around more rather than standing there like a slug. He's looking good and will have a great year.

 

[Retroram52]

Maybe he has figured something out finally.

 

[jvett77]

Maybe he has figured something out finally.

I wonder if hitting coach Steve Henderson helped with advice. Matt Stairs gave same advice on Galvis's arm position when batting and suggested it's why he can't catch up to pitches and fouls them off.

 

[Retroram52]

Yea, Jvett, I believe it was last year that a hitting coach had discovered that Howard was changing something between hitting practice and game hitting. It was never discovered last year. Perhaps Steve Henderson discovered what that was. If Howard stays consistent in his hitting over the course of say the next month, it would be probably be safe to state that whatever the anomaly, it has been solved.

 

[_phiLLies_]

i'm surprised at how well he is doing at the plate. i thought maybe he can still hit 25-30 homers with an ops a little over .800 (if he was rested frequently against lefties.)

but so far he's on pace for around 41 and is hitting lefties very well. with that said though, this is what he has been doing for years early on. he looks impressive against them, then just fades away.

 

[northeastphillyguy]

Maybe he has figured something out finally.[/QUOTE He is starting to hit toward the opposite field more. He is making contact by shortening his swing. He hit a sac fly to left recently by just meeting the ball. Basic hitting for a non basic guy. Hope this continues!

 

[Retroram52]