May 27 -- HOWARD GETS DEFENSIVE

BY SCOTT LAUBER

So, we haven't written much about it here at Philled In (shame on us), but surely, you've noticed it.

Ryan Howard's defense has improved.

A lot.

Last season, Howard made 19 errors, three shy of the Phillies' record for a first baseman. Fred Luderus committed 22 errors in 1916. But Howard has dropped nearly 30 pounds since the end of the World Series, going from 275 to 248. It's the lightest he's been since he was drafted, he said today. He also started working with new infield coach Sam Perlozzo in January, mostly to fine tune his footwork around the bag. And the results have been obvious. Howard committed only his first error of the season last night, a poor throw in the ninth inning. Howard said he has gotten compliments on his defensive improvement from opposing coaches and players. A few weeks ago, Dodgers backup first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz, always known for his defense, made a point to tell Howard how much better he looks in the field.

But Howard always was capable of this. The first time Charlie Manuel ever laid eyes on Howard, it was his glove that he noticed. Howard was playing at Class A Clearwater in 2003 when he made two diving catches in one inning. Manuel was impressed that such a big man could be so agile.

So, what happened over the years? People around the Phillies believe Howard hasn't been as conscientious about his defense as he has about his offense. Quite simply, he hasn't worked as hard. But, as he told us a few weeks ago in St. Louis, he wants to be known as a complete player, not just a slugger. So, he got to work with Perlozzo, and just look at the results.

"People always told me I had good hands," Howard said today. "It was just a matter of getting in the right position to make plays. I'm lighter, but with the way my starts are now, I'm getting better jumps on the ball and it's easier to get to the ball."

More in tomorrow's News Journal.

***
Tonight's lineup against Marlins RHP Burke Badenhop (2-2, 5.75):
SS Jimmy Rollins
CF Shane Victorino
2B Chase Utley
1B Ryan Howard
LF Raul Ibanez
RF Jayson Werth
3B Pedro Feliz
C Carlos Ruiz
RHP Brett Myers (4-2, 4.34)