Stop wishing Ryan Howard would go away

Bill Streicher-USA TODAY SportsIt's time to embrace the idea of Ryan Howard being a part of the 2016 Phillies.

Slowly but surely, they've all left.

Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Jayson Werth, Cole Hamels, Shane Victorino, Ryan Madson, Brad Lidge, everyone who mattered in helping the Phillies win the 2008 World Series, are gone. They've either left through free agency or been traded, but they do not play in Philadelphia anymore.

And this is a good thing. Renewal is good. The 2016 Phillies will be full of youth and promise and, hopefully, some improved baseball.

Among the children will be two old favorites still playing baseball on a regular, if not everyday, basis.

Carlos Ruiz will still see a lot…