In retirement speech, Ryan Howard urges fans to not boo struggling Phillies

Ryan Howard thanked the scout who discovered him and the general manager who took a chance on a first baseman from a small Missouri college. He credited his A-ball manager Sunday afternoon for helping him understand baseball at a high level, called Charlie Manuel “my guy,” and remembered hitting coach Milt Thompson for all the work he did to get Howard’s swing just right.

And then the 39-year-old Howard -- whose 382 career home runs included 48 for the 2008 World Series champion Phillies -- ended his retirement ceremony by turning toward the home dugout at Citizens Bank Park.

“And to the current team,” Howard said.

The former first baseman paused. The Phillies had lost 18 of their last 28 games and falled from first place to third place in the NL East. For the first time this season, they started the day without ownership of a playoff spot. The fans cheered and Howard nodded.

“Y’all support these guys the same way you supported us,” Howard said. “It’s not going to be good all the time, but damn it, when it’s good, we know what it feels like. Let these men know what it feels like. Because, they come out here every single day and put it on the line win, lose, or draw. The good, the bad, the ugly. But damn it, they’re trying. As long as they give you the hustle and play the game the way it’s supposed to be played, don’t ever boo these men.”

“I’m out.”

Howard’s retirement ceremony was the final such event this season as the team honored Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, and Howard with their own days at the ballpark. For Howard, it felt similar to the way his Phillies career ended when the team honored him on the final day of the 2016 season. The only problem was that Howard had yet to retire. He played 27 games the next season with Atlanta’s and Colorado’s triple-A affiliates but never returned to the majors.

“Doing this kind of stuff has been really cool,” Howard said. “Just getting the opportunity to get back out in front of the fans and really just kind of say thank you -- thank you for the opportunity of being able to just go out there and try to do what I can try to do with my teammates at the time.”

The Phillies players stopped their pregame routine as Howard directed the end of his speech toward them. They pumped their fists and clapped as he rallied the fans to support them. He then took off his sport coat, buttoned up a Phillies jersey, and joined them in the dugout. Just like Utley and Rollins did, Howard led the Phillies onto the field. He stood at first base, just like he used to do, and threw the ball around the infield.

Rhys Hoskins eventually appeared from the dugout, gave Howard a hug, and traded places. Howard left the field and the crowd roared.

“It’s cool to be back. It’s cool to be able to have it," Howard said of the event. "I don’t think it’s kind of set in yet or really hit me, but I think it’s getting out on the field and kind of seeing how everything unfolds or riding the wave. So that’s kind of the goal today, just ride the wave of what’s to come and just embrace every bit of it and take it all in.”