Phillies' Howard says he's 'progressing'

RYAN HOWARD IS off crutches and said his rehab from rupturing his left Achilles' tendon during the National League Division Series is "progressing and coming along."

Howard wore a walking boot as he limped into the mayor's reception room in City Hall yesterday to announce a $1.2 million donation from his charitable foundation to the Philadelphia School District.

The Ryan Howard Family Foundation donation includes sports uniforms and other gear and $750,000 worth of adidas shoes that will be distributed to 57 high schools and four middle schools in the city.

"It makes it feel a little bit lighter to be able to give," said Howard, who didn't go into detail about his rehab. "I feel good. I'm doing fine. Like I said, it's all about the kids today."

The school district has made more than $600 million in cuts to its budget since last year, including cuts to its athletic programs.

- Josh Cornfield