Red Barons' Howard wins NL Rookie of Year

PHILADELPHIA -- Ryan Howard's Major League introduction came in a common way on Sept. 1, 2004: with a called strike three on the inside corner.

Ten days later, the slugging first baseman provided a more accurate preview of his ability, when he exiled a Bartolome Fortunato fastball to the outer reaches of pitcher-friendly Shea Stadium. The pitch soared over the center-field wall and onlookers joked that it hit a passing jet from nearby LaGuardia Airport.

Howard started 2005 in the Minors, but he was summoned twice to replace an injured Jim Thome. His amazing efforts kept the Phillies relevant in the National League Wild Card and earned him the National League Rookie of the Year Award on Monday.

"It's just a great honor," Howard said. "I was happy to make the most of my opportunity. Unfortunately we didn't get to the postseason."

They almost did, and Howard was a big reason why. Half of his 22 homers and 27 of his 63 RBIs came after Aug. 31, when the Phillies were keeping the pressure on the Astros.

"It's outstanding," added manager Charlie Manuel. "He did some unbelievable things for our team out of this six hole [in the lineup]. I don't know where we would have been without him."

Howard shared the day with Oakland closer Huston Street, who was named the American League's top newcomer. The players will formally receive their award in New York City on Jan. 29. Howard is the fourth Phillies player to win the honor, and the first since Scott Rolen in 1997.

"He was a slam dunk," said Phillies special advisor to the general manager John Vukovich. "He shouldn't have had any competition. He played big and he played at the end of the game."

Howard carried a .371 average through 61 games with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons. He went yard 16 times, driving in 54 runs and scoring 38 others. Howard's 24-game hitting streak tied for the longest in Minors' full-season play with Irving Falu (Burlington Bees), Francisco Leandro (Visalia Oaks) and Brian Horwitz (Augusta GreenJackets).

He joins an impressive list of previous NL Rookie of the Year winners, including Albert Pujols (2001), Mike Piazza (1993), Jeff Bagwell (1991), Johnny Bench (1968), Tom Seaver (1967), Willie McCovey (1959), Frank Robinson (1956) and Willie Mays (1951).

Howard, who turns 26 next week, garnered 19 of 32 first-place votes from among ballots cast by two writers in each NL city. He received three second-place votes and one third-place vote for a total of 109 points, based on the 5-3-1 tabulation system.

That easily outdistanced Astros outfielder Willy Taveras, who many thought had the edge because he played a full season for a team that made the playoffs. Taveras captured seven first-place votes and totaled 78 points.

Braves outfielder Jeff Francoeur was a distant third, followed by Colorado's Garrett Atkins and Pittsburgh's Zach Duke.

Overall, Howard batted .288 and drove in 63 runs in 312 at-bats, and the Phillies went 16-6 in games in which he homered, mostly because of the rookie's impeccable timing.

On Aug. 10 -- the day the Phillies learned that Thome had elected to have season-ending elbow surgery -- Howard clubbed a ninth-inning first-pitch grand slam off Yhency Brazoban that reached the blue seats at Dodger Stadium.

"We've heard about those long ones," Jimmy Rollins said after that game. "Now, we're getting a chance to see them on a regular basis."

Howard's other game-winning grand slam came against the Braves, in the top of the 10th inning on Sept. 21. It was his first shot off a lefty, and Manuel joked after the game that he instructed the rookie to hit a home run.

"I didn't tell him that," Manuel said, "but he hit one anyway and that was good. He has no fear about being up in a big spot. He's going to be a special player."

The painful question the Phillies must answer is whether Howard will become that special player in red pinstripes. The slugger who hit more homers than any other rookie this season -- despite not taking over full-time until July -- is still blocked by Thome.

Thome's healthy return is expected. The Phillies will explore trading Thome, but may have a difficult time finding a taker for his expensive contract, not to mention that Thome has a no-trade clause.

"It's a good situation," said general manager Pat Gillick. "There aren't many teams with two players with that kind of power."

Howard has answered the question at least a million times, to the point where's perfected it. He has two answers, one during the season and one during the offseason.

"I'm on vacation right now, trying to relax," he said. "I can't worry about that. That's not my call for what happens next year."

Manuel had a similar response.

"We have two guys that we look at as regular players," Manuel said. "One has a chance to go to the Hall of Fame and has some good years left, and one is a kid who has a chance to play and establish himself in the Major Leagues. His second half showed what his potential is. We haven't decided what we're going to do."

This much is known: There is little question about what Howard can do when given the opportunity.