Is Ryan Howard Too Good To Be True?

Question

If this kid ends up like Bonds, Sosa, McGwire, Palmeiro and the others I think it could destroy baseball for generations to come. What's your take?

Answer 1

I seem to recall this exact question being asked about Sammy Sosa....is he too good to be true...after all, he was such a great guy during those years with the Cubs...

And the people at ESPN are idiots...there's no way baseball is going to wipe out the HR records of Sosa, McGwire or Bonds. That's the same as suggesting that the late Ken Caminiti's 1996 MVP award should be taken away from him because he was on steroids during the year he won it (and admitted it)... ESPN doesn't own major league baseball, they just think they do.

Baseball doesn't go back to revise records unless box score or official score sheet revirew forces them to do so. Did they ever wipe out Gaylord Perry's 3,000+ strikeouts because he threw a spitter, which is illegal?

Hate to say it, but from now on, even honest players are going to come under a cloud of suspicion any time they have a year like Howard is having...last year, at the age of 25, in his first real season, he played in 88 games, hititng 22 homers in 312 AB (14.2 AB per homer)... this year, so far, he has 53 HR in 502 AB (on HR every 9.5 AB)... it's a tough call... even if he is clean, the sportswriters out there are going to keep raising questions about him... as much as they say they like him now, we'll see if they still feel that way about him if he breaks a few records.

LOL, maybe Howard should volunteer to be drug tested every day. I don't know how accurate the tests are, or what the odds are of a mistaken reading, but I guess that could be one way to shut everyone up about the idea he might not be clean. I don't know how else he could avoid suspicion, if he does end up breaking some records.

I feel bad for young fans today... I started watching baseball about 1967, and growing up in the 70s, we had our HR heroes, guys like Johnny Bench, Willie Stargell, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays... but today, fans really can't even enjoy a great season like Howard is having because of what guys like Bonds, Palmeiro, Sosa and McGwire have done over the last 10-15 years..

Meanwhile, Junior's 560+ legitimate HRs get almost no attention, because of Palmeiro, McGwire and Sosa's 500+ quesionable HRs, and of course, now the countdown is on for Bonds to catch Aaron.

Baseball ignored these problems because (1) they don't care about the players themselves, and (2) they figured if players want to jeopardize their lives and health for the sake of hitting a few HR's hey, at least they'll put some fans in the stands while they're at it. Of course, equal blame goes to the players that ruined the game by doing these things.

Answer 2

No, he is not too good to be true, he's a great player, and from what I can tell, a great guy who has his stuff together. I like the guy who said Howard "came out of nowhere". Huh? He was only one of the best prospects for three years he arrived. His late arrival to the majors is only because Thome was blocking his path.

Also, not to take anything away from his great talent, but he plays in a GREAT park, where homers fly out at an amazing rate. I'm sure he would still have at least 40, but there have to be a few that Howard's hit that would have been outs in other stadiums.
Yes, it would be tragic if he was found to be on steroids, but with testing now, it would be incredibly foolish for him to take steroids or growth hormone.

As for his number of home runs, I've even heard it suggested on ESPN that if he hits more than 61, than maybe we should recognize Ryan Howard as the single season record holder for HR in a season, as it's generally believed that Bonds, McGwire, and Sosa were all juiced.

Answer 3

From what I understand this kid has been a big time home run hitter in the minors. Now whether that includes steroids or not remains to be seen. I don't think he is on anything. He seems like a good kid who respects the game.

Now if he is proven to have taken anything I think it will damage baseball to the point where they might even have to shut the game down for a season or two until they can make these players realize that they either do it right or go find another way to make a living.

Answer 4

I'm pretty sure he's clean and, even better, I think he's willing to take a stand against the player's union and say "Go Ahead and Test Me!"

He had testing throughout his minor league career and never had any troubles (they test tougher than the Majors for the most part).

And, finally, for the person who said he came out of nowhere. You're joking right? He toiled for a bit in the minors...like ALMOST ALL MLB PLAYERS do! Then he moved up after tearing the cover off of the ball. He's certainly no "overnight sensation." Get yer facts straight for cryin' out loud!

Answer 5

I can't Imagine any guy, after everything thats gone on in sports, would actually go out, use performance enhancers, and then go draw attention to himself by hitting what i think will be 60+ HRs.. he would haveta be guiness book of world records MORONIC to be using steroids. I dont think David Ortiz Uses and i dont think Ryan Howard uses, i just think theyre two HUGE men, and are strong like bull LOL

Answer 6

i say if this guy is not on steriods then hey let him break the record at this rate of his career if he plays 20 season playing like other stars did he'll have 801 and barry bonds at the say time ryan howard was now he was suspected to go 653 so theres something going on

Answer 7

you won't have the ability to tamper with a participant who's below settlement with yet another team. In different words you won't have the ability to make a handle somebody who isn't a loose agent, whether the deal itself won't take place for 3 years.

Answer 8

He really is awesome and should be for quite a few years to come. I hope he is clean because that could devastate baseball.

Answer 9

Offensively quite so- Albert Pujols-esc
He isnt a 5 tool player by any stretch of the imagination though...

Answer 10

I smell a rat. I could be wrong, I hope I am.
But this guy just came out of nowhere. Baseball doesn't test for HGH does it? I am very suspicious!