By: Matt Rappa, managing editor 
CLEARWATER, Fla. – Looking ahead to 2016 was the common theme of discussion for Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard in his first press conference of spring training at Bright House Field on Tuesday.
Amid the ongoing investigation involving the Al Jazeera report that he received shipments of performance-enhancing drugs, in which the 2006 National League Most Valuable Player said he "haven't the faintest idea" as to why he was included, Howard told reporters that he "wasn't happy with the media" last year.
"Last year was a tough year," said Howard. "I was always happy with my team. The way I felt with everything that I have done here in Philadelphia, I just felt like I was being portrayed as something worse. I felt like I was being portrayed as the 'bad guy'"
Despite the investigation, in which Howard said he will let his lawyers "do what they have to do" and contact him when needed, the 12-year veteran is looking ahead to what could be his final year in red pinstripes.
"[This year's team is] a group of guys that are hungry," Howard said. "It's a group of guys that want to learn. And a group of guys that want to be good. With the right atmosphere around them — as far as being positive — I think the sky's the limit for these guys."
When asked of his thoughts being placed into a platoon role against left-handed pitchers, in favor of 29-year-old Darin Ruf, Howard said, "Do I think it's fair? Probably not, but it is what it is. The situation is the situation. You just go out there and go play. The track record speaks for itself."
"If I go out and hit .300 against lefties, then what?" Howard said.
Despite his frustration, Howard went on to acknowledge his abilities and that he will take "advantage of the opportunities" when given the chance play:
"I've always been a guy who's a team player. I'm always going to be a competitor. I'm always going to want to be able to go out there against whoever, it doesn't matter, right or lefty, because I know I can get the job done. … I know all the talk over the past few years, I'm not going to focus on it. … I know I can hit lefties."
The Phillies' first exhibition game of the 2016 season will be home against the University of Tampa Spartans on Sunday, Feb. 28.
