Ryan Howard to Return to MLB the Show 22

Originally posted on FanNation Inside The Phillies
By Jeff Fitzpatrick | Last updated 2/9/22

In their gameplay trailer released on social media, MLB The Show revealed two notable new legends. The first of which is Randy Johnson. The second legend is a player Philadelphia Phillies fans know well. Sony San Diego Studios has finally acquired the rights to slugging first baseman, Ryan Howard.

Howard was the cover athlete for MLB the Show 08 and one of the most feared hitters in baseball at that time. Phillies fans can now relieve his dominance that ended so quickly following his torn Achilles in Game 5 of the 2011 NLDS.

So what will a Howard card look like? The past few years, the game has released other big slugging first baseman like David Ortiz and Frank Thomas. Howard’s best card is sure to align with them.

One certainty is maxed out power. At the peak of his playing career from 2006-2011, Howard averaged nearly 44 home runs per season.

For those unfamiliar with the game, different cards are given out for players at different points of their career. For Howard, his best card is likely to come as an “Awards Series” card where they honor his 2006 MVP Award.

That year, Howard led the majors with 58 home runs and 149 RBIs, slashing .313/.425/.659 in the process. His .313 average might give an Awards Series Ryan Howard card the chance to have high contact ratings as well.

The game already features Phillies greats like Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino, Richie Asburn, and Mike Schmidt among others, so all-time Phillies builds just got a boost as the Big Piece makes his legend debut.