Howard, Ryan (1979-…), became one of major league baseball’s outstanding power hitters. Howard led the National League in home runs with 58 in 2006 and 48 in 2008. He also led the league in runs batted in with 149 in 2006, 146 in 2008, and 141 in 2009. Howard was named the National League Most Valuable Player in 2006.
Howard played first base for the Philadelphia Phillies for 13 years before being released after the 2016 season. He batted and threw left-handed. Howard helped lead Philadelphia to the World Series title in 2008 and the National League pennant in 2009. The winners of the National League and American League pennants—that is, the champions of each league—meet in the World Series. The World Series winner becomes the champion of major league baseball.
Ryan James Howard was born on Nov. 19, 1979, in St. Louis. He played at Missouri State University and was selected by the Phillies in the fifth round of the 2001 draft. The draft is the method by which major league teams choose new players. Howard starred in Philadelphia’s minor league system. He received Most Valuable Player awards in the Florida State League in 2003 and in the Eastern League in 2004. Howard briefly played for the Phillies at the end of the 2004 season. He was named National League Rookie of the Year in 2005. Howard announced his retirement in 2018.
