Ryan Howard Fields Steroid Questions In Clearwater, By: Leah Zerbe

2/20/07

With a monster frame and a schoolboy face, soft-spoken Ryan Howard stepped to the plate and offered his definitive stance on steroids over the weekend, peppering reporters from all over the country with his MVP-caliber two cents.

Does he take them? He says no. And just about everyone believes him, including Hank Aaron, who refers to Howard as baseball’s “complete player.”

But when asked about the big names under investigation for juicing, Howard didn’t put their heads on the butcher's block, either.

According to the Philadelphia Daily News, he considers Barry Bonds innocent until proven guilty, and more or less told an MLB.com reporter he’s not too concerned about it, as long as he continues dominating the plate.

“This guy’s doing this or doing that, and I’m just me – and I’m killing this guy,” Howard said in an article posted on the Phillies official Web site. “So it’s kind of like, ‘What’s the purpose of doing that?’ I just never saw the benefit.”

Let’s just hope someone actually hits behind Howard this season so he’ll have the chance to sprinkle centerfield seats with white rain.

He’s obviously in it to win, but in just a few weeks he could have a little added incentive, too.

Philadelphia Inquirer beat writer Todd Zolecki said the Phillies initiated preliminary contract talks with his agent, Casey Close, noting that he'll either get a one-year or multi-year deal, or renew his contract by March 2.

Howard could possibly become the highest-paid player in baseball history who wasn’t a free agent or eligible for salary arbitration.

So with full-squad spring training officially starting in Clearwater on Tuesday, I want to know what you think, too.

With reigning MVP Howard at the helm, a plump pitching staff and an adequately-financed Utley, do you think this is the year? What are you excited about? What scares you? I'm here for you -- spout off.