The Colorado Rockies have surprisingly signed former Philadelphia Phillies star first baseman Ryan Howard, who’s been out of commission since May.
The #Rockies have agreed to terms on a Minor League contract with 1B Ryan Howard https://t.co/Bhqm6UQOXA
— Rockies Club Information (@RockiesClubInfo) August 12, 2017
After spending 13 seasons with the Phillies, Ryan’s option was declined by the team following the 2016 season. He’d been slumping badly for a couple years, and one point, a Phillies columnist begged him to hang up the cleats for good.
However, Howard continued to play, albeit poorly, finishing the 2016 season with a .196 average. He was signed to a minor league deal with the Atlanta Braves to start the season but was released by the club on May 8.
Now 37 years of age, the former National League MVP (2006) and World Series champ (2008) will get another chance to play ball. Throughout his career, Howard has blasted 382 home runs and drove in 1,194 runs at the major league level.