Ryan Howard knows a few things about hitting home runs. The Phillies legend hit 382 dingers during his 13-year big league career, collecting an MVP Award, a 2008 World Series championship, and two MLB home run titles along the way. He even put on a show in baseball's premier power-hitting competition, defeating Mets rival David Wright in the 2006 Home Run Derby, smashing six home runs into the Allegheny River flowing behind PNC Park.
"It was my first All-Star game and it had that Philly-Mets rivalry brewing," Howard told MLB.com recently. "I didn't really hit home runs in batting practice, so I think a lot of people didn't necessarily know what was going to happen. To be able to go and do it in the fashion that I did was a lot of fun."
Howard, who currently hosts the 6-1-1 podcast alongside Phils teammate Jimmy Rollins, will be stepping back into the box and looking to launch a few more long balls when he makes his Home Run Derby X debut on Sunday, July 13. There will be more NL East pride on the line as Howard's Phillies will be going up against the Braves and Nationals.
"It's always about bragging rights, especially when you're playing against guys in the division," Howard said. "Home Run Derby X will be a little bit more fun, but I don't think it will be any different."
What does it feel like to hit a home run, though? Since Howard has plenty in his career to look back on -- something most mortals will never experience -- he tried to explain what that percussive thrill actually feels like.
"Oh, it feels effortless," Howard said. "Sometimes you don't even feel the ball come off the bat. That's what you're trying to go for. That means you hit the sweet spot of the bat. The ball was just as light as a feather coming off of it. So, just try to put a good bat on the ball and let it do what it does."
Out of all those home runs, there is one that holds a special place in Howard's memory.
"We were playing the Yankees in Citizens Bank Park. Mike Mussina was pitching," Howard recalled. "I forget what the count was -- maybe two strikes or whatnot, and I wound up hitting a fastball into the third deck. It's the first and still the only ball that's been hit up there."
Howard will now be hoping that blasting homers is as easy as riding a bike. He'll be relying on his old skills and the fact that he's dominated in derbies before when he takes the field at Georgia Tech's Russ Chandler Stadium.
"Dust off the old lumber here, get out there and swing the bat again," Howard said about the upcoming competition. "I'm looking forward to it. I'm very, very excited to participate in it. I've seen it, I've heard about it, so now to actually be able to participate in it, I'm excited."
You can credit HRDX veteran Nick Swisher -- who has been playing in the tournament since its first year -- for helping get Howard out to the event.
"Nick's just great, man. I love his energy. I love what he's doing. I love what the Home Run Derby X concept is and everything that it's doing right now," Howard said. "So obviously, he hit me up. I was like, 'All right, bro, I got you.' I want to get out there, see what I've got and give it my all."
Thanks to Katie Mack for reporting assistance.