PHILADELPHIA — Ryan Howard remembers what it was like to hit home runs into the second deck at Citizens Bank Park in the pursuit of a Phillies franchise record. That’s why he’s pulling for Kyle Schwarber to reach the one he set 19 years ago.
Howard, the 2006 National League MVP and single-season Phillies record holder for home runs after hitting 58 in that campaign, was in the building on Wednesday night as Schwarber hit homers No. 55 and 56 of the year. The current Phillies slugger is closing in on Howard’s mark, and the 2008 World Series champion is hoping Schwarber can get there.