Open Letter To Ryan Howard: Sorry, Man

hwoard
photo by: rich schultz

Dear Ryan Howard,

There is no excuse for the piece of garbage who threw a beer bottle at you this past weekend. That individual is the lowest of low in the world of sports fans, and that has nothing to do with him or her drinking a Bud Light Lime. For the record, nobody needs to drink a Bud Light Lime. Put a lime in a Corona, already!

You have been nothing but a class act for your entire professional career. There was that one misunderstanding where you mentioned something like “would you want to be in my shoes” while struggling a year or two ago. None of us knew at the time that you were having strained familial relations and took it to mean that none of us would want to trade places with a well-compensated, struggling athlete.

You were right to be upset at the idiot who threw the bottle. You were correct as quoted in the Jim Salisbury article when you said that it was “tasteless” and “personal.”

Let me reiterate, the person who threw that bottle is a complete idiot. I apologize as a Phillies fan, season ticket-holder, and on behalf of the vast majority of Phillies fans everywhere for this moron’s behavior.

We’ve had a great run together. I am forever indebted to you for providing me with a half decade of the best baseball of my lifetime and perhaps in Phillies history. Your first seven years were unlike any of us had ever seen. You produced runs and home runs on pace with the likes of Ruth, Pujols, Gehrig and A Rod. We watched you win the Rookie of the Year, an MVP, and most importantly a World Series. You helped break the championship drought. The parade was unforgettable. What a party we’ve had!

Your time in Philadelphia isn’t ending as any of us had wished. It’s hard to watch sports heroes age and struggle. I’m sure it’s even more difficult to actually age and struggle in the game itself. One way or another our time together is coming to an end. Goodbyes are rarely easy. However, don’t let an idiot or two tarnish the relationship and experiences we’ve had together.

I will always wear my Howard jersey and t-shirts with pride. They are instant classics. I cannot wait to see your face enshrined on the Phillies Wall of Fame and will make sure I have tickets to that event. I will never forget what you helped to create and achieve for a franchise that leads professional sports in the U.S. in total losses.

Once again, I say thank you and I apologize for the bottle-throwing creep.

Love ya Big Piece!

Peace Out!