The most famous picture in Phillies history is of Tug McGraw leaping off the mound at the victorious conclusion to the 1980 World Series - the one that gave the franchise its first championship.

The second most famous - and the most memorable in the minds of people under 40 - is the picture of Brad Lidge kneeling in front of the mound last October, reaching to embrace Carlos Ruiz in celebration of the second title.

Come of think of it, a lot of "We Won the World Series" pictures feature a closer, which is natural, since the last of 27 outs usually comes from his hand.

The closers in this World Series are even more important than usual, given the balance the teams show in other phases of the game. It's likely that whichever closer is more nearly perfect - the Phillies' Brad Lidge or the Yankees' Mariano Rivera - will win the series for his team.

Or, to be more cruel - the series may well turn on which closer blows a game.

In that regard, Lidge's return to some semblance of stability is probably the most important single gift the Phillies could get heading to New York for Game 1.

Lidge, a perfect 48 for 48 in 2008, has been off-the-charts bad in 2009. A staggering total of 11 blown saves was overshadowed only by his 0-8 record and 7.21 ERA.

You almost have to be trying to blow games to be that bad.

All of which made Lidge's October turnaround more unbelievable.

Although he wasn't "Lights Out" in postseason play, he saved three games and won one. Even better, he didn't allow a run in five appearances.

Having a reliable Lidge is even more important this season, since the rest of the bullpen isn't as dominant as last year's.

The relievers were 3-0 with a 1.79 ERA in the 2008 postseason, including 2-0 with a 1.54 ERA in the World Series against Tampa Bay.

So far, they're 4-1 with a 3.24 ERA this postseason.

The Yankees, as is usual with baseball's most storied franchise, answer with history: With 37 saves, Rivera is the greatest closer in postseason history.

He's also one of a handful of pitchers who have thrown the final pitch in more than one World Series clincher.

(If you're looking for omens, Will McEnaney finished both clinchers for the Cincinnati Reds in their 1975 and 1976 victories. And the Phillies have a chance to become the first NL club since the Reds to win two straight Series crowns.)

Rivera closed Game 4 of the four-game sweep of San Diego in 1998; he did the same against Atlanta in 1999; and he closed the decisive Game 5 against the Mets in 2000.

At age 39, Rivera remains near the top of his historic game.