Revolution has a solution for Howard

IT IS NO SECRET that Phillies GM Ruben Amaro is looking to dump first baseman Ryan Howard and his $60 million contract. He's even offering to pay $50 million of that salary to any team willing take the Big Piece.

The Orioles have been rumored to be interested, but so far Howard is still in red pinstripes.

Now, the York Revolution, in a blog post complete with a photoshopped photo of Howard wearing a yellow Revolution cap, is trying to raise enough money to bring Howard to Pennsylvania Dutch country.

The Revolution, well aware of the Phillies' offer of $50 million, stated on the blog, "After a quick look at the numbers, this left the York Revolution of the Atlantic League roughly $9,997,000 short of the funds required to put Howard in a Revolution uniform for the 2015 season. An Atlantic League maximum salary is roughly $3,000 per month.

"The Revolution, whose fans responded to such time-honored baseball traditions as monkeys dressed as cowboys riding dogs to raise the team's attendance by 5 percent in 2014, has turned back to those fans hoping the support will continue."

They figure that with about 400,000 people living in York County, 25 bucks from each person would just about do it.

"Some dads might have to dock a kid's allowance for a couple weeks, big deal," York general manager John Gibson said.

After some thought, the Revolution has lowered the donation from $25 to $10. And as a thank you, anyone who donates will get two ticket vouchers to the Revolution's Opening Night game at Santander Stadium in York on April 24.

Only problem - if the team reaches its goal there will be more than 999,700 folks showing up for the game.

So get there early because parking might be at a premium. The game, by the way, starts at 6:30 p.m.

The ticket office at the stadium is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.