Umpire ruins Howard’s childhood dream of taking clutch walk

Ryan Howard’s dreams were put on hold Saturday after home plate umpire Tom Hallion rung the Phillies slugger up on a called third strike, ending the Phillies season and Howard’s lifelong dream of drawing a clutch playoff walk.

“You practice that play over and over as a kid,” Howard said after the devastating 3-2 loss to the Giants. “You’re in your back yard saying to yourself, ’3-2 count…bottom of the ninth…here’s the pitch…and…it’s a ball! He draws the walk and the Phillies extend the inning! Go Crazy, folks! Go crazy!’ But, unfortunately, it didn’t turn out that way.”

Howard went on to say that he will work hard this offseason to make sure his has at least one more opportunity to draw a walk and let someone else be the playoff hero.