Happy Anniversary, Big Piece!

Has it really been 20 years since Ryan Howard put together maybe the greatest offensive season in Philadelphia Phillies history? In 2006, the Big Piece won the National League MVP with these-are-pretty-nuts stats. Howard edged out Albert Pujols in a rare case of a playoff-team MVP candidate losing out to a non-playoff-team MVP candidate. Pujols did get a nice consolation prize when the Cardinals won the 2006 World Series. Let’s take a closer look by the numbers at Howard’s historic year to help celebrate its 20th anniversary. This will be an enjoyable time-machine trip for the fans in South Philadelphia, so grab a peanut butter Kandy Kake.

#6’s Origin Story

This lefty first baseman was a 2001 fifth-rounder of the Phils out of Missouri State. He broke out in the 2004 minor league season with 46 home runs, 131 RBIs, and a 1.017 OPS. The problem for this St. Louis native was that the Phillies had Jim Thome anchoring first base for them. After an unsuccessful outfield tryout in the spring of 2005, the path to the Show looked blocked for #6. Then, serendipitously, Thome got hurt a couple of months into the season, and Ryan was called up … and delivered. In only 88 games, the big man won the 2005 NL Rookie of the Year with 22 homers, 63 ribbies, and a .288 average.

Most importantly, the team identified a young nucleus to build around, along with other homegrown talents Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley. Thome was traded that offseason to make first base Howard’s spot, and the rest is Broad and Pattison history.

Inside the Numbers

The stats from Howard’s 2006 MVP year really jump off the page: 58 home runs, 149 RBIs, 108 walks, a .425 OBP, a .659 slugging percentage, a 1.084 OPS, 383 total bases, and … wait for it … a .313 batting average. That last number may be the most impressive because Howard never hit higher than .279 in another full season with the Phils. Subsequently, his low average became a notorious target of his detractors his last few seasons in Philadelphia.

Those 58 bombs led the National League (one of his two NL home-run crowns). Although Kyle Schwarber made a strong run at it last year, that still stands as the franchise record. His RBI total also led the NL for the first of three times in his career. All of the other numbers were the Big Piece’s career highs.

His Legacy

Ryan Howard should always be fondly remembered in Philadelphia. The team won the 2008 World Series as part of five consecutive NL East titles. His yearly averages from 2006 to 2009 are quite remarkable and one of the best power stretches in MLB history: 49.5 homers and 143 RBIs. In terms of games played, he is the third fastest player ever to 300 homers. He stands behind only Michael Jack Schmidt in career home runs for the Phils. Who knows how things may have been different if not for that devastating Achilles injury in the 2011 NLDS? Sorry to revisit such a painful memory, Philadelphia fans.

Unfortunately, Ryan Howard’s career numbers (382 home runs, 1,194 RBIs, a 14.5 WAR, and an .859 OPS) will probably not get him to Cooperstown. However, he is certain to be inducted into the team’s Wall of Fame soon. The Big Piece was a foundational piece in one of the halcyon eras of this long-suffering franchise, and he produced one of the best offensive seasons in team history. Happy anniversary, Big Piece!