The biggest story in Phillies camp?

The status of first baseman Ryan Howard. The Phils slugger appears to have shed a pound or two this offseason - but will he be adding more bulk to his wallet?

We won't know that until Wednesday. That's when Howard and the Phillies will likely go to an arbitration hearing where one side will win - either Howard will receive the $10 million salary he has asked for the upcoming season, or he'll end up with the $7 million the Phils are offering.

Howard and his agent have been quiet throughout the process. But since the can't prevent what would have been a nonstop barrage of questions before Wednesday, Howard will meet with reporters today at noon (the press gathering will be televised on Comcast) in the media lunchroom.

Here's hoping the big guy doesn't steal my lunch.



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HAPPY COLE

Although the Phillies haven't quite added one to the staff, the team confirmed it is in the process of adding a doctor who specializes in chriopractic medicine.

This is good news for ace Cole Hamels - a reformed, fitness freak who opined late last summer that the benefits of seeing a chiropractor may help him finally stay healthy over the course of the long season.


Hamels, who has never pitched more than 200 innings in a season, says his goal is to make 35 starts this summer.

With a chiropractor in tow, the 24-year old lefty should feel pretty good as he moves forward mentally and physically this spring.

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STORY ARCHIVE

Since our web site doesn't seem to archive stories in any fashion, I am going to attempt to do that here with the blog. One day neither story appeared on-line, so I can't exactly archive that.

Here's most of the spring stuff:

Camp Opens/Hamels and Jaramillo, 2/15/08:
http://www.delcotimes.com/WebApp/appmanager/JRC/Daily?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pg_article&r21.pgpath=%2FDCT%2FSports&r21.content=%2FDCT%2FSports%2FTopStoryList_Story_1589079


Benson signs/notes, 2/14/08:
http://www.dailylocal.com/WebApp/appmanager/JRC/Daily;!-596657927?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pg_article&r21.pgpath=%2FDLN%2FSports&r21.content=%2FDLN%2FSports%2FTopStoryList_Story_1583092


Spring Preview, 2/10/08:
http://www.delcotimes.com/WebApp/appmanager/JRC/Daily;jsessionid=XSjMHy4TLwlZF0GCH9wF9J32bKCNSKh6F6mLr2nVYZXmnMPDKzvL!-366222789?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pg_article&r21.pgpath=%2FDCT%2FSports&r21.content=%2FDCT%2FSports%2FTopStoryList_Story_1558278