Last week a historical baseball arbitration case caused quite a stir in Philadelphia. With spring training on the horizon Ryan Howard was awarded $10 million, a record for a player with less than three years of major league service.
The decision sent the Phillies to their first ever arbitration defeat and raised a number of comments on the urgency of structuring a long term deal for Howard.
He is the fastest to 100 home runs! He hits more home runs per at bat than Babe Ruth and Barry Bonds! This is the 2005 Rookie of the Year and 2006 MVP we are talking about! He has averaged 52.5 HR and 142.5 RBI over the past two seasons!
Scanning the Internet blogs and forums, Philadelphia is clearly worried about losing their prized slugger. In addition to Howard’s statistics, age-old fan favorite themes are used as support: the Phillies brass is cheap and they won’t do what it takes to win. It is the same old story.
One word – relax.
Focus your worries on something legitimate. Brad Lidge and his balky knee. The 5-spot in the starting rotation. Kyle Kendrick being traded to the Yomiuri Giants.
Why? It’s simple – the Phillies are doing the right thing. (more…)
