Howard to start Phils’ final 3 games in farewell

PHILADELPHIA — There can’t be any official ceremonies until the Phillies exercise the $10 million buyout of Ryan Howard’s contract for 2017. But general manager Matt Klentak is confident Phillies fans are aware of the situation.

For that reason, he believes the Phillies faithful will give the last remaining member from the 2008 World Series championship squad a proper farewell in what will almost certainly be his final series as a Phillie when they close out the season at home against the Mets from Sept. 30-Oct. 2.

“We are not going to formally announce anything before the end of the season. It would be irresponsible and premature. But I think Phillies fans are smart and they generally understand what’s going on,” Klentak said. “And as we’ve seen the second half play out — you guys have seen a lot of it — the fans are recognizing that this is getting closer to the end and they want to express their appreciation for what Ryan has meant to this franchise. My hope is that in the final homestand — those three …

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