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Phillies UYA facility named after Howard
- Updated: July 21, 2016
PHILADELPHIA — Ryan Howard’s baseball future beyond this season is unclear. His physical presence in the only city he’s called home during his exemplary career is not.
The new Phillies Urban Youth Academy was formally unveiled Thursday, and it was announced that the facility will be called the Ryan Howard Training Center. The first baseman won the National League Rookie of the Year Award in 2005 and the NL Most Valuable Player Award in ’06, when he hit 58 home runs to establish the franchise’s single-season record.
“It’s been our passion to give back to our community, especially when it relates to baseball and education,” Howard said, standing next to his wife, Krystle, at the dais. “It’s an extreme honor to be part of something we hope will help thousands and thousands of kids.”
Howard then turned from the audience filled with dignitaries — including Philadelphia mayor Jim Kenney, councilman Kenyatta Johnson, Phillies chairman David Montgomery and Major League Baseball’s vice president for youth and facility development Darrell Miller — to address the RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) travel teams that were standing in the back of the room.
“Always believe in your dreams and make them your priority,” Howard told them. “This facility is an open door for every baseball player and softball player to follow their dreams. … Please take advantage, have fun and always believe in yourselves.”
In addition to the complex in the shadows of the Center City skyline, players have access to the field …
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