Read — Ryan Howard homers, wins MVP at Hall of Fame Classic — and more Phillies news and rumors on PhilliesNation.com.
For a day, Philadelphia Phillies icon Ryan Howard was “the Big Piece” again.
The 2024 East-West Classic put on by the Baseball Hall of Fame Saturday at Doubleday Field served as “a tribute to the Negro Leagues All-Star Game.”
Howard played on the East team, which was coached by former All-Star outfielder Chris Young. Two other former Phillies — outfielders Doug Glanville and Tony Gwynn Jr. — were on the East team, along with local Little League World Series legend Mo’ne Davis. Former Phillies reliever José Contreras was on the West team, which was coached by former AL Cy Young Award winner CC Sabathia.
Fittingly, Howard crushed a home run for the East team:
The Big Piece gets a lil' piece of one.
— MLB (@MLB) May 25, 2024@baseballhall | @Phillies pic.twitter.com/wpPGgqajQN
Howard — the 2006 NL MVP — was named the MVP of the 2024 exhibition, as his team earned a 5-4 victory.
Final from Doubleday Field: East 5, West 4
— National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
Ryan Howard is your Bob Feller Player of the Game after coming up clutch with a three-run home run! pic.twitter.com/xqo9QD237a(@baseballhall) May 25, 2024
What’s next for the three-time All-Star? Nearly eight years after he last played for the Phillies, Howard seems to be due to be added to the franchise’s Wall of Fame. The Phillies have not yet announced who will be the 2024 honoree on Saturday, Aug. 17. But given that 2024 is the 20th season of Citizens Bank Park, who better to honor this year?
