Sports Radio Interviews

Ryan Howard: “Hopefully we can go and get back to the same spot and try to win another World Series.”

The Phillies were very close to being back-to-back World Series champions, but they ran into the mighty New York Yankees in the series last season. It was the two best teams in the MLB by far, but the Phillies ran into a very hot and loaded New York team. Howard didn’t help the cause either. After winning the 2009 NLCS MVP award, he had one of the worse batting performances in WS history. That’s not good for a guy that is known for his huge power numbers. The Yankees realized it fast; he couldn’t hit a left hander whatsoever. The Phillies just walked into a monster and got beat, it just wasn’t there time.

The Phillies are no schleps themselves; with a loaded lineup and great pitching they were right there. But that was last season and now we are getting ready for 2010 and spring training. Philly has a new stud pitcher in Roy Halladay but lost ace Cliff Lee from last season. That will be biggest difference for this team this season. The lineup is still as good as any in baseball led by power hitter Ryan Howard.

Ryan Howard joined ESPN Radio in Philadelphia and talked about the Super Bowl, his love for Subway and getting ready for Spring Training with the Phillies.

Asked what he sees different about the team coming into Spring Training:

“You know we made a couple of key additions, we got Roy Halladay mixed in there and we got Placido Polanco. I think getting into Spring Training and kind of seeing how things unfold, welcoming the new guys in so they can see the chemistry of the team so they can blend in as best as they can. I think everybody is going to come in there with the mindset of unfinished business. So with that being said hopefully we can go and get back to the same spot and try to win another world series.”

Asked about the chance they had to have Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay in the rotation and now just having Halladay:

“It’s a little tough and you wish you could have both guys, but that’s how the ball bounces sometimes. That’s just the game, the business aspect. Right now you can’t dwell on what’s been going on or what we don’t have. We have to focus on what we do have and just move forward.”

Asked about the remaining two years on his contract and what the future might be for him:

“Right now the focus is just on this year. I know that there are going to be a lot of contract type talks and stuff over the next couple years or whatever. But being truthful I haven’t really been focused on it, I have been focused on trying to get into good shape and come back to win another championship.”

Listen to Ryan Howard on ESPN Radio in Philadelphia

Tags: 2009 NLCS MVP, Cliff Lee, MLB, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, Roy Halladay, Ryan Howard, World Series