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by **jahmon** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:12 pm

This guy is just terrible. Seriously, I don't think I've ever seen a guy struggle as much as Howard. Except maybe Andruw Jones. I've heard all the stuff about slow starts but c'mon, he is just not breaking out of his slump. It feels like a small victory when he flies out instead of striking out.

How exactly does a guy who has hit 47 and 58 HRs respectively in the last two years, who is also a lifetime .284 hitter, and who is only 28 become so bad so suddenly?

Can anyone tell me anything (other than the slow start crap) that can make me feel any better about having this guy on my team and sticking with him for so long and his pathetic .172 AVG?

Peace,

Jah

by **Oatsdad** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:45 pm

What'd Howard do last April? I had him and know I traded him when he got hurt, so I know he wasn't playing well - not sure if he sucked THIS much, though...

by **mtxdevil** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:52 pm

Last April he hit .221 with 3 HRs. So... not like he's doing anything that much different. He's hit 5 knocks so far THIS April. He'll come around.

by **ssjl** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:57 pm

what do you want instant gratification.Don't worry ride him all the way & at this stage of their careers DO NOT compare Howard to that Overweight overpaid louse the dodgers signed to an insane contract.The guy can't hit anymore he is too fat.

by **hett2333** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 11:55 pm

I say deal him or drop him for Jack Cust...seriously, he'll be fine. He's notoriously a slow starter, and puts up monster numbers post all-star break. Especially in August/Sept.

by **kweiss** » Thu May 01, 2008 4:12 am

The way I see it, if the guy is slumping and still has 5 bombs, what's he going to do when he starts hitting?

by **PavanoAllstars** » Thu May 01, 2008 9:11 am

Bench him if you want, but there will come a time this year when you're glad he's on your team... I was going through the same stuff with Ortiz, still am to an extent, these guys are hitters, they know how to turn it around, in fact I think Howard will have better numbers than Ortiz when the season is set and done

also Howard is in great shape and in his prime... unlike Andruw Jones, and, though it pains me to admit it, Ortiz

by **interchange** » Thu May 01, 2008 9:21 am

Let's look at a few things:

1) Notoriously a slow started
2) He has had an inordinate number of at bats against lefties
3) He is hitting OK against righties. Poor average but a 1:1 K:BB ratio and good slugging

Honestly, RyHo has such tremendous power that you can't sit him against lefties when he gets going. But when he's struggling, absolutely slot someone else in when he faces a lefty. He'll turn it around.

by **jcobb79** » Thu May 01, 2008 10:56 am

jahmon wrote:Can anyone tell me anything (other than the slow start crap) that can make me feel any better about having this guy on my team and sticking with him for so long and his pathetic .172 AVG?

This may or may not make you feel better. At least you are not like me, The person who owns both Howard, Jones and Delgado in my NL league. Can you say ouch! !+)