Two different Phillies first basemen on different career trajectories combined to set a home run record. Even in a rebuilding season, there are positive things to hope for.
Normally, a team like the Phillies who will finish well below .500 aren’t setting any records – positive ones anyway. However, Tommy Joseph and Ryan Howard helped the Phillies become the first team in MLB history to have two first basemen with 20 or more home runs.
Joseph’s 20th home run in a game he started at first came Wednesday against the White Sox. Meanwhile, Howard’s 20th from first base came September 16 against the Marlins.
When the Phillies originally decided upon a first-base platoon, this is the exact kind of production they were hoping for. However, at the time, they expected Howard and Darin Ruf to split the time at first.
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No one expected Joseph to emerge as a slugger this season after so many lost seasons. Joseph sustained the fifth concussion of his lifetime in 2015, missing nearly two months of action. It was the breaking point for Joseph, as the team moved him to first base.
Instead, Joseph found new life at the new position. After cruising through April and early May in Triple-A, Joseph finally made it to the major-leagues.
Even as he split time with Howard, Joseph continued to produce. He has 21 home runs this season with an .823 OPS in 339 plate appearances. Manager Pete Mackanin called Joseph a “real positive” and looks forward to what he could bring the Phillies in the future.
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Meanwhile, as the Phillies stumble upon their future first baseman, their previous one attempts one last hurrah. After 13 seasons with the club, Ryan Howard’s time seems up. He is the last player remaining from the 2008 World Series team, and it’s commonly thought the team will buy out Howard’s contract when this season is over.
Even if this is Howard’s final season with the Phillies, he went out on a good note. In the second half this year, he has a .266/.333/.615 with 11 home runs. He hit a home run in Thursday’s loss to the Mets after returning from minor knee soreness.
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Facing a lefty just 13 times in this span, Howard showed his value as a platoon first baseman. Even in the likely event the club don’t retain Howard, he wants to continue playing. After hitting 23 home runs the past three years, at least one team will give the Phillies star another chance to continue playing.