"After hitting a three-run homer to send the Phillies toward their 11-6 win over St. Louis in the National League Division Series opener Saturday, Ryan Howard said he wasn't thinking about how he had failed to hit a home run or drive in a run during last year's playoffs.

And the Phillies' first baseman wasn't worrying about striking out looking as he had when he made the final out in last season's National League Championship Series loss to San Francisco.

"I left last year in the past," Howard said, sounding like the Phillies' philosopher.

Roy Halladay couldn't forget the past, though. The Phillies' right-handed pitcher needed to call on it."