One Last Crack

It's a cool 63 degrees at game time on Saturday October 1st, 2016. In typical fashion the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Mets are playing in the final series of the season. It's the bottom of the 5th and the Mets have taken a two nothing lead, meanwhile the Phillies still can't seem to get to the 43 year old wonder Bartolo Colon. And then it happens. You hear the crack of bat and look up instantly knowing the ball is about to go out of the stadium. That noise, that event, has happened 382 times in his 12 year career in Philadelphia. I can still hear Harry Kalas's voice "And it's a deep fly ball to left center field, that ball is out of hear. Home run Ryan Howard."

Today I am writing to say thank you to the "Big Piece." The man who brought a championship to the City of Brotherly Love. The man who hit 262 home runs in a 6 period, averaging 44 home runs a season in that period making him the fastest to reach 200 EVER. The man who won both the Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player award in back to back years. How quickly the Philadelphia fans forget how amazing our first baseman was.

So with what is expected to be his last home run as a Phillie I wanted to express gratitude for all you have done. Thank you for packing the stands during our glory days, especially those cool nights in October. Thank you for pouring your blood, sweat, and tears into this organization. Thank you for doing the right things on and off the field, something you often don't get enough credit for.

And finally, thank you for that sound. The crack of your your bat when you hit a home run. That noise will forever live in my head as my memory of the best first basemen in the Philadelphia Phillies history. Let's listen together one last time (or two times):

Wishing you nothing but success and happiness the rest of your life Ryan.