And then there was none.
It turns out "The Big Piece" was the final piece.
Ryan Howard was the last link to the Phillies 2008 World Series champions.
Jayson Werth, Cole Hamels, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Carlos Ruiz all left town before Howard.
And all of them, aside from Werth, who signed a massive free agent deal with the Nats, came to the end of the line during the season, traded to other teams.
So it was that the end for Howard - at least with the Phillies - came on the final day of another long slog of a season.
The Phils did right by their slugging first baseman, offering Howard the opportunity to thank the fans, and also to take one final curtain call when he was removed from the game in the bottom of the 9th inning to another standing ovation from the nearly full house at Citizens Bank Park.
That was the telltale sign that something different - aside from losing - was going on in South Philly yesterday. The place was packed, even if not quite as much as it was during the heyday of Citizens Bank Park's opening and the glory days of this great Phillies team.
Howard says he still wants to play. Perhaps an American League team looking for a DH will give him a shot. He showed over the last month there is still some pop in that bat. But his .198 batting average also proved his days as an everyday player are behind him.
But don't look for me to dissent - let alone boo - Howard!
I have a standing rule for the 2008 Phillies.
You will never hear me boo them. No, not even Werth, who clearly took the money.
Not Hamels. Not J-Roll. Not Chase, nor Chooch.
The reason is simple.
They gave us a parade.
Those are rare things in these parts.
Yes, after his Achilles tendon exploded, Howard was not the same player that struck fear in so many pitchers' hearts.
Yes, I grimaced as he continued to wave at those breaking balls low and away.
But I did not boo. Not once.
The reason is simple. Without Howard, there is no parade.
End of story. And end of an era of excellence uncommon in Philly sports.
Thanks for the memories, Big Piece.
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Don't miss Jack McCaffery's column on perhaps Ryan Howard's greatest attribute. It's on the money.
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