ESPN

Buzzmaster

  (2:39 PM)

Hey everyone--Ryan's plane was delayed, so he'll be a little late. Keep sending in those questions!

Buzzmaster

  (2:52 PM)

Ryan will be here at 3:45, everyone! Sorry for the delay!

Buzzmaster

  (3:49 PM)

Hey everyone, we're still tracking down Ryan. Keep sending in those questions!

Buzzmaster

  (3:59 PM)

Hey everyone, we've just received word that Ryan will be here to answer your questions in about 15 minutes.

Buzzmaster

  (4:49 PM)

Hey everyone, we're going to try to track Ryan down before 5:00 ET. Sorry about the delay!

Buzzmaster

  (5:18 PM)

Hey everyone, we've finally got Ryan!

Ryan Howard

  (5:20 PM)

Let's get it rolling, everyone!

Adam (Harrisburg, PA)

How confident do you feel about the Phillies chance at overtaking the Mets and getting back on top?

Ryan Howard

  (5:20 PM)

I'm actually pretty confident about it. We're in a lot better position this year than where we were last year around this time.

Matt (United Kingdom)

Hi Ryan! Loved your rendition of 'Take me out to the ballgame' on TWIB this week!I want to know which is your favourite ball park (apart from Citizens obviously!)

Ryan Howard

  (5:21 PM)

I would have to say my favorite ballpark is maybe St. Louis, because I like going home for it.

mike (philadelphia, pa)

who has the worst facial hair on the phillies roster? it's werth, right?

Ryan Howard

  (5:22 PM)

Werth's is pretty good because he switches it up every once in a while. Shane Victorino's is pretty bad. You gotta keep it clean.

Danny (OK)

Ryan, what will you be doing at the Little League World Series?

Ryan Howard

  (5:22 PM)

I'm out here in conjunction with Subway trying to promote a healthy and active lifestyle--basically, just eating healthy.

Tim (Port St Lucie)

Are the Phili fans really as bad as everyone talks about?

Ryan Howard

  (5:23 PM)

I think they get a bad rap. Are they passionate? Yes. Do they have a different way of showing it? Sometimes, but they're not nearly as bad as everyone makes them out to be.

Chris (Philadelphia, PA)

Ryan, your the man keep doin what your doin. I was wondering, whos your favorite player in the majors today whos not on the phillies?

Ryan Howard

  (5:24 PM)

It's been fun watching Manny Ramirez doing what he's doing this year.

Steve Ny

What did you think of that Kyle kendrick prank that he was traded to Japan?

Ryan Howard

  (5:25 PM)

It was beautiful, absolutely beautiful. It's just the chemistry of our team that everyone is talking about. It couldn't have happened to a less suspecting person--it just played out perfectly.

Yaz (Philly)

Who is the toughest pitcher you have ever faced?

Ryan Howard

  (5:26 PM)

A lot of it depends on how they're throwing that day. It's kind of a tough question to answer. I'll have to come back to that one.

DJ (Minneapolis)

What are your thoughts on instant replay in MLB?

Ryan Howard

  (5:27 PM)

I think as far as them doing it for the home run calls, it's not necessarily a bad idea. There are different angles that are tough to pick up the ball with the naked eye. Having someone in the booth being able to watch from different angles is not a bad idea. The object for the umpires is to get the call right.

Andrew (Philly, PA)

I need to hear it from a players perspective why the Phillies offense has been struggling for the last couple months with all the fire power we have?

Ryan Howard

  (5:28 PM)

It's just baseball. There's things that happen in the game that you can't explain, but we're only a game and a half out right now. We'll hopefully come out of it sooner rather than later.

Brad (Gadsden,Alabama)

Ryan, What is your fav. olympic event?

Ryan Howard

  (5:29 PM)

I like watching track and field. The sprints like the 100 meters, the relays, all that kind of stuff. But swimming has definitely moved up there.

Spiro (Boston, MA)

Breakout player for the Phils in 2009:

Ryan Howard

  (5:31 PM)

I'd say Werth and Victorino. Shane has definitely come on a bit as of late.

NJ in London, UK

Hi Ryan, a lot is said about how hitters prepare in this era of baseball. Could you talk about how you prepare as a hitter and how you approach facing each pitcher.

Ryan Howard

  (5:31 PM)

You want to go out there and know what the pitcher's strengths and weaknesses are, and you want to have a plan of attack.

Brandon Philadelphia,PA

Ryan who was your childhood hero when u was growing up?

Ryan Howard

  (5:33 PM)

I had three--Barry Bonds, Ken Griffey Jr., and Tony Gwynn.

Ryan Howard

  (5:33 PM)

Thanks everyone!