Lidge Is Still “Our” Guy
Posted by Amanda Orr, Sun, June 07, 2009 12:26 PM | Comments: 54
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Despite blowing six saves this season, including two in a row, Charlie Manuel says that Brad Lidge “will always be his guy.”
“His stuff is good. There’s nothing wrong with his stuff. I think it’s important for him to keep his confidence. I think the opposite of how some other people think. My way of thinking is if you rest him or do something else with him or put him somewhere else, I think that can hurt his confidence. I’m speaking right from my heart. That’s how I look at it because I played 20 years. I think I do know a little bit about it. His stuff is still good.”
Even though Ryan Madson has a 2.30 ERA this season, the Phillies look to be sticking with Lidge, for now.
Posts: 0 Rich
The thought process of guys pitching 1 inning has taken on an ugly life over the past 20+ years. We “had” to put Mitch Williams in against the Blue Jays to lose the championship because he was the “closer.” This specialized pitching kills the game sometimes. Madsen and Romero should never be taken out of a game where they pitched a great inning and need 1 more to get the save. Poor managment! Lidge stinks right now and every game counts. I would not put him in at this point unless they have a 4-5 run lead. If he is a professional, he will get over it, work on his game and earn his big salary!!
Posted: 12:03 AM on June 8, 2009
Posts: 0 Dave
I bet Madson really wishes he hadn’t just re-signed with the Phillies. Dude will probably get a closer’s spot sooner or later and there’s little harm in letting him show he can handle the pressure for a game or two. A 97? mph fastball and one of the best change-ups in baseball, and they’re slighting him to go with “1 run an inning” Lidge. What about Madson’s fragile little psyche? Charlie should think about the message he’s sending to Madson. Pretty soon, we might have a screwy closer and a screwy setup man.
I’d also like to point out that consistently blowing leads can’t be good for Lidge’s head and at this point, a benching might come as a relief.
Posted: 02:45 AM on June 8, 2009
Posts: 0 Dhall
Charlie’s right. The important thing isn’t winning, it’s maintaining the confidence level of your candy-ass closer. Who cares if he blows 20 games this year and we end up losing the division by one game to the Mets. The important thing to remember at the end of the year is that Charlie likes Brad and Brad likes Charlie.
Posted: 06:21 AM on June 8, 2009
Posts: 0 Bill
Thanks Charlie. Keep throwing Lidge so my team has a chance of beating yours. Go Atlanta!
Posted: 06:48 AM on August 26, 2009