A-Rod and Howard Add Luster to Starry World Series

Ryan Howard thought about the World Series and his eyes widened.

Philadelphia Phillies' Chase Utley warms-up before taking batting practice, Monday, Oct. 26, 2009,...

Philadelphia Phillies' Chase Utley warms-up before taking batting practice, Monday, Oct. 26, 2009, in Philadelphia. The Phillies face the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the Major League Baseball World Series on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009, in New York. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

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"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.

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, on Wednesday night.

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

And 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."

The 34-year-old Rodriguez already has succeeded Reggie Jackson as the favorite Yankees target of wannabe amateur psychologists, who try to analyze past playoff flops and his relationships with Madonna last year and Kate Hudson this season. Now he wants to follow Mr. October as a champion.

A three-time AL MVP, he 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 victories over 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.