Prior to Game 4 of the NLDS between the Philadelphia Phillies and San Diego Padres, franchise icon Ryan Howard threw out the first pitch, doing so as he received a thunderous ovation from the crowd at Citizens Bank Park:
Of course, Howard was the 2006 National League MVP and a key cog for the 2008 World Series team. “The Big Piece” also won the NLCS MVP in 2009, as he went 5-15 (.333) with two home runs, eight RBIs and six walks in just five games.
So far this postseason, Howard, Shane Victorino, Pat Burrell and Matt Stairs have thrown out first pitches.