"Lights Out" for Lidge in Philly

Image courtesy of AP

When Brad Lidge came to Philadelphia before the 2008 season, fans were excited to have a true closer on the team for the first time since the now-despised Billy Wagner in 2005. After going through an aging Tom Gordon and the outspoken Brett Myers, who was a starter-turned closer-turned back into starter, it was a nice change of pace to have a player who the team could count on in the ninth inning. Good results were expected, but Lidge exceeded those expectations in his opening season with the Phillies. Now, four years after being acquired, Lidge is on his way out, signing a one-year deal with the Washington Nationals.

Lidge’s tenure with the Phillies was much of a roller coaster ride, but the 2008 season is the reason he will forever be loved by the Philly faithful. After going 41-of-41 in save opportunities in the regular season, Lidge was 7-of-7 in the postseason. His final save is one that no fan will forget. From the pitch, to the call by late great Harry Kalas… even after not watching it for over a year, I still remember that call…

“The 1-2 pitch… SWING AND A MISS! STRUCK HIM OUT! The Philadelphia Phillies are the 2008 World Champions of Baseball!!”

It was the height of my personal Phillies fandom and Lidge was at the center of it, jumping in the air with nothing but excitement as catcher Carlos Ruiz and the rest of the team pummeled him with happiness. That day is the day he permanently engraved his name into the fans’ hearts. That was the reason that his next season, a historically bad one, would eventually be forgiven. Even halfway into the year, when his ERA was above 5 and he was not pitching well, fans still wanted him in games because they know how much he did the year prior.

They changed their mind when his ERA continued to rise, but they stuck with him longer than they would have any other player. This is unusual in Philadelphia, especially. Whenever players start showing any sign of decline, fans are quick to throw the player under the bus and call for a change. Lidge was an exception to the rule. He was made famous in 2008 and, although fans wanted someone different later in the year, they still supported Lidge through his struggles.

The following year was much different for Lidge, who ended the 2009 season with a dreadful 7.21 ERA. But it didn’t faze him; he came back the next season looking like his old self, posting a 2.96 ERA in an injury plagued year and converting 17 of 18 saves to end the season.  Fans wanted to see him close out the season with another World Series victory. It didn’t happen, but he wasn’t at fault.

To say that fans, as well as the Phillies front office, were emotionally invested in Lidge is an understatement. In 2009, Manager Charlie Manuel was under fire for keeping Lidge as closer by much of the media and fans late in the year, but he did not want to relinquish the closer duties from the man who was a key reason for them winning the championship in ’08.

In 2010, injuries were a problem, but on-field play was not. In 2011, it was more of the same, but injuries really caught up to him. He only played in 25 games, half of how many he played the year prior. Ryan Madson took over Closer duties officially and it was foreshadowing the end of Lidge’s stint in Philly. He played well in his limited role, sporting a 1.40 ERA in 19.1 innings pitched.

Now, three months after season’s end, Lidge is headed to the Nats, a division rival. His stay in Philly, albeit not too long, made its mark in Phillies history. Now, a little over three years after the greatest moment in Phillies history since 1980, the man on the mound is no longer on the team. His nickname was “Lights Out Lidge.” Today, it is truly Lights Out for Lidge in Philly, owner of one of the greatest seasons by a Closer in MLB History and forever remembered in Philadelphia for bringing the World Championship back home.