World Series slugfest could be in offing

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NEW YORK – Ryan Howard thought about the World Series, and his eyes widened.

“Between Yankee Stadium and Philly, it’s going to be, I would have to say, probably one of the rowdiest World Series – just between the fans,” he said.

It sure will be if Howard and Alex Rodriguez start teeing off in their high-profile slugger showdown.

For the first time in 20 years, the World Series will feature a pair of former major league home run champions when it opens, weather permitting, tonight.

No player in the major leagues has been scrutinized more than A-Rod, a postseason star after a scandalous spring training that include a steroid admission and hip surgery.

Howard has carried the defending champion Philadelphia Phillies every bit as much as Rodriguez has propelled the Yankees to their first Series appearance since 2003 – and the first of his career.

“Ryan, along with his power, he’s also become a great hitter,” Rodriguez said Tuesday. “And that’s bad news for the National League and bad news for us.”

Rodriguez, 34, entered the first round against Minnesota hitting .136 (8 for 59) in the postseason dating to 2004 and was hitless in 18 consecutive playoff at-bats with runners in scoring position.

What a change.

He led the Yankees with a .438 average, five homers and 12 RBIs in the series wins against the Twins and Los Angeles Angels, hitting tying home runs in the seventh, ninth and 11th innings.

“I think everyone is looking for a profound answer, and I don’t have one,” he said, sitting behind a table in Yankee Stadium’s Great Hall as baseball adopted an NFL-style approach to Series publicity for the first time.

“I think at the end of the day, I’m content,” Rodriguez said.

Howard, 29, also needed a winding path to postseason success. He had only one RBI in each of his first two playoff series while hitting .217 (5 for 23), then batted .300 with two RBIs against the Los Angeles Dodgers in last year’s NL Championship Series. He then hit three homers and drove in six runs in leading the Phillies past the Tampa Bay Rays for Philadelphia’s second title.

This year, he’s batted .355 with 14 RBIs in the playoffs against the Rockies and Dodgers.

“I think that our approaches this postseason, as opposed to be previous postseasons, are a lot better,” Howard said. “I think both of us are a lot more patient, both of us are a lot more relaxed.”