Phils proud to be part of Howard’s goodbye

PHILADELPHIA — How could Ryan Howard not feel overwhelmed?

Howard saw his entire career flash before his eyes during a video tribute before Sunday afternoon’s 5-2 victory over the Mets at Citizens Bank Park, the final game of a storied Phillies career. He saw his son, Darian, place a commemorative plaque in front of the seat in left field where he hit his franchise-record 58th home run in 2006. He choked up as spoke to the fans, who stood, cheered and showered him with love each and every time he stepped to the plate. He tipped his cap to the crowd when Tommy Joseph took his place at first base in the top of the ninth inning. He gave his final curtain call a few moments later.

“It was a roller coaster, man,” Howard said afterward. “I’m not going to lie. It was crazy. I really didn’t know what to expect, what the organization was going to do, how I was going to feel. But getting out there, seeing the people, seeing the different videos, everything just all kind of came in and hit me all at once. It was great. It was great today. It’s still … I’m still trying to register it. You know, it was crazy. It was crazy.”

It was a crazy, emotional day for his teammates, too.

“It’s hard to see him leave,” …

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