Philadelphia Phillies All-Star first baseman Ryan Howard is one of the most powerful and prolific hitters in the history of baseball. No one has reached 100 home runs faster than him, and few have shown his penchant for pulling the ball, a skill which earned him the nickname, "The Big Piece." After finishing his college career at Southwest Missouri State, where he pounded 50 home runs, Howard was selected in the fifth round of the 2001 draft by Philadelphia. In 2005, his first full season in the majors, he hit 22 home runs -- the most of any rookie -- posted a .288 average and added 63 RBIs in only 312 at bats, earning NL Rookie of the Year honors. A year later, No. 6 was named to his first All-Star Game, was recognized with a Silver Slugger award and earned the National League MVP. In 2007, he continued to accumulate honors, receiving the John Wanamaker Athletic Award, given to the “athlete, team or organization that has done the most to reflect credit upon Philadelphia and to the team or sport in which they excel.” An All Star again in 2009 and 2010, Howard has hit over 30 home runs each year from 2006 through the 2011 season and has 1,043 hit and 864 RBIs overall in his 1,027 games played. Howard has proved equally accomplished off the diamond, where his community service efforts have made a tremendous impact. He is a member of the Philadelphia Action Team, a national youth volunteer initiative administered by the Major League Baseball Players Trust and Volunteers of America. In 2007, Ryan donated $10,000 to the Police Athletic League (PAL). In 2009, he launched the Howard Family Foundation to improve the lives of disadvantaged youth and families, committing $50,000 to the Hunting Park Revitalization Project toward new baseball fields in North Philadelphia. In addition to hosting the Celebrity Servers charity event in 2010, Howard also continually participates in granting wishes through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Born: November 19, 1979 | Height: 6’4” | Weight: 240lb. | Bats: Left | Throws: Left | College: Southwest Missouri State | Team: Philadelphia Phillies

MLB Player Profile
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