Phillies

Howard swinging the bat again with Phillies

By Matt Gelb

Inquirer Staff Writer

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Ryan Howard limped down the hallway from the Phillies clubhouse to the cafeteria at Bright House Field, where he would discuss his tedious comeback from a torn Achilles tendon, and stopped to find a man facing a similar plight.

It was Bill Giles, the Phillies chairman, who tore his right Achilles recently while playing golf. All winter, Howard said, people came to him in places such as the grocery store with their own Achilles tales. They showed him their scars.

"I was just trying to get some milk," Howard said, but soon he understood how common an injury it is.

Giles had his own story, but he'd keep it short. His $125 million investment was late for a live appearance on national TV.

"You're coming along better than I am," Giles said.

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