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Pitcher Perfect: Lidge Closes The Deal

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By MICK ELLIOTT

melliott@tampatrib.com

Published: October 21, 2008

Updated: 10/21/2008 05:24 pm

PHILADELPHIA - Phillies reliever Brad Lidge has never thrown a perfect game, but he did pitch the perfect season.

Forty-one times during the regular season on the Phillies' way to tonight's opening game of the World Series, they called Lidge from the bullpen to save a victory - and 41 times he delivered, never losing a decision and going 2-0.

"I mean, that's pretty good," Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel said. "That's some pretty good leverage"

Except that even the best carry flaws. Tiger Woods has a limp. Cindy Crawford has a mole. Free elections have fraud. And Lidge has a night back in July for which the Phillies must pay.

Baseball's most dominant reliever was the losing pitcher in the American League's 4-3 victory in this summer's All-Star Game. It doesn't count, but it left a mark. With that All-Star Game victory, the AL earned homefield advantage in the World Series, allowing the Rays to open with two games at Tropicana Field and the right to host Games 6 and 7 if things go that far.

"There may be some guys in here poking some fun at me, " Lidge said, standing in the Phillies' clubhouse before packing for his team's trip to Tampa Bay. "But it will all be in good humor. That watched the game. They know the circumstances."

The situation was that Lidge warmed up six times and threw almost 100 pitches before finally being called to the mound and giving up the winning run in the 15th inning.

Who would have imagined that the odd night seems so important?

"As a closer you try not to think about the past very often," Lidge said. "But, you know, I wish it had been a different situation. I mean, obviously, I wish we had homefield advantage, but I also really wish we had had the lead and I could have gone in there and pitched the ninth like normal - or maybe the 10th or 11th or 12th or whatever.

"But then, the first thing that comes to mind is 'Wow, it's great this situation has come into play for us to talk about because we are in the World Series.' "

Lidge gets credit for much of Philadelphia's success. The 6-foot-5, 31-year-old right-hander with the crazy slider did not allow more than one hit in an inning in 61 of 72 appearances this season. He led all relievers in save percentage. Among NL closers, he was second in ERA (1.95) and third in strikeouts (92) and games finished (61).

In the postseason, Lidge delivered saves in five of the Phillies' seven victories

"He has been unbelievable," utility player Eric Bruntlett said. "He has been everything that anyone could ask and more. He is just able to go out there with confidence and his best stuff every night. A joy to watch."

Lidge has enjoyed it, too.

The man who in 2005, while with the Houston Astros, gave up a three-run homer to Albert Pujols in Game 5 of the NLCS and then a walk-off home run to the Chicago White Sox's Scott Podsednik in Game 2 of the World Series, seems to have found the perfect home. And a once-weak Phillies bullpen has become a strength.

He has nothing, however, to prove.

"Absolutely not," Lidge said. "I don't want to downplay that I obviously gave up a home run, but at the same time, anybody who knows baseball looks at my career in the postseason and it speaks for itself. I feel like I'm on a roll right now. I feel like this is a totally different year and a totally different team. I just want to perform at the top of my game for these guys in the clubhouse right now and the fans here."

Philadelphia has come to expect nothing less.

"He is the kind of pitcher, I've always said, who sometimes get in jams, but his talent works him out of it," Manuel said. "The stuff he has gets him out of jams."

It also has helped get the Phillies to their first World Series in 15 years. And Lidge, although offering the Rays proper respect, likes his team's chances.

"One thing that surprises me about Tampa, the more I see them play, is how their young guys just don't seem to care what situation they are in," he said. "I mean, these guys are 24 and 25 years old and look like they're 10-year veterans. It looks like they have been there before. They are obviously very talented and at the same time, they are not blinking at all."

But there's a lot to learn about the Phillies, too.

"Well, if you are not familiar with our team, we have a lot of different personalities," he said. "We got very salty veterans who have played for a long time. And we have younger guys with a ton of energy and we have everyone in between.

"We have ability and we have talent. And we believe we can win."

And that, Lidge believes, would be perfect.

Reporter Mick Elliott can be reached at (813) 281-2534.

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