The Phillies have been on a hot streak with their choices for first pitch throwers throughout the 2022 postseason. From Shane Victorino to Matt Stairs, it's been a who's who of Phillies playoff legends.
And when the Phillies take on the Padres in Game 4 of the NLCS on Saturday, they'll have one of the biggest names in franchise history taking the mound for the ultimate ceremonial toss:
Ryan. Howard.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Philadelphia sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
The Big Piece, of course an instrumental part in the Phillies' last World Series title, is a tremendous pick - and his selection highlights just how late into the playoffs we're getting. This is an enormous name, an MVP and home run king you reserve for high-leverage situations. Either the Phillies will be going for a two-game lead in the series or a crucial even-up.
In either case, Howard should get the Citizens Bank Park crowd fired all the way up.
Howard's last appearance in the NLCS came in 2010, when the Phillies fell in six games to the Giants. He appeared in 16 NLCS games, hitting .315 with two home runs, 14 RBI, six doubles, a triple, and 12 walks in those 16 games.
MLB
Pretty, pretty good.
Here's hoping Howard has some postseason magic left in him.