Going Out On A Lidge
Philadelphia Inquirer Sports Columnist Bob Ford writes about the Eagles, the Phillies, the Sixers and the Flyers.
Going Out On A Lidge
Bob Ford, Inquirer Sports Columnist
There is no denying that sticking with Brad Lidge as the closer is not the popular thing for Charlie Manuel to do, and neither is it an absolutely sure path to where the team wants to get.
I made the case in a column today that it is still the right way to go, at least until a better option is identified and until Lidge has every single chance to right himself.
Not everyone agrees, obviously, and that point of view may prove correct in the end. But the part of the argument that is dead wrong is that Manuel is sticking with Lidge out of some sort of sentimentality regarding what happened in 2008.
The notion that Manuel, who has been in this game his whole life, is a dewy-eyed softie is dead wrong. He's not sticking with Lidge out of a misplaced, or overactive, loyalty, but because he also thinks Lidge is the best logical option. When that changes, Charlie will make the change, too. But he's not going to give away a chance at a repeat title because he doesn't want to hurt Brad Lidge's feelings. That is ludicrous.
Having noted all that, however, this article, from the fertile minds at phillygameday.com is really funny.
Comments (22)
Brad Lidge has been the worst pitcher in baseball this year by nearly every quantifiable method. If he is not sticking with him based on loyalty, but logic, then Charlie needs to take a logic course. Last year was great, but it's time to move one.— azazo26
As much as I hate it, I have to admit, Lidge is the best we got right now. He can only get better. Right?- Well I think "that" point may have just come for Charlie. Bases loaded, 1 out, bottom of the 9th, 2 run lead and Charlie pulls Lidge for Madson. This team may have just reached critical mass in its season.— BadgerVMD
- Earth to Bob...earth to Bob...did you watch the game tonight? Get a clue!!! Any questions????? I don't think so.— ELM
- we can't bench Lidge. he was perfect last year for the World Champs! If it aint broke, don't fix it!!— stigs
- I have said it for more than six weeks: disable Lidge, as he is clearly hurting, his mechanics are completely screwed up, his confidence shot. Right now, we must get to the playoffs. By then, we have Myers and, if need be, Park or Pedro to close. Even Madson was lights out tonight.— chuckw
- He HAS been given every single chance. Everyone has counted out Madson after only a couple of bad outings, but want to stick with Lidge after many, many bad outings. Why? And why can't Chan Ho Park close?— DS17
- Lights Flickering Lidge is the only way for the Phils to go. Use him at every opportunity, he is the best. Chollie Manuel knows quality when he sees it. The Phils can ride the "Lidge to Nowhere", at least till the first playoff round is completed.— AstroFanLarry
- Hopefully right after the Phillies replace Lidge the Inky will do the same w/ Ford.— F. Harry Stowe
- Is the Lidge experiment over yet. This guy couldn't close a paper bag right now. The fool in the dugout needs to come up with something else. My ulcer would be better suited watching Moyer close a game then Lidge. How do you go from lights out Lidge to how do I blow this game. The best move this year was getting him out of there, Next time should get Cholly fired.— eaglesman1
- Elm - I think you need a clue. Look at what time this was posted - 5:37 pm, hours before the game took place.— catnameddomino
- you are a crack pot and a tonight actions with regard to Lidge at the national phillies game PROVES it. At least have the decency to say I WAS WRONG you clown. 12 hrs ago YOU in your column that Lidge the BEST option for the phillies.... only to see Lidge this Tuesday evening give to the WORST TEAM IN MLB... The Nationals.... a single a wild pitch a hit batter and 4 ball walk... GOOD CALL BOB FORD— wxdavid
- Whatever happened to the knowledgeable sports beat writers? If the Inquirer wants to rise from the dead, it best not pawn off a high school intern as a legit sports writer.— Manor2009
- I understand the premise that Lidge is the best option. What I don't understand is, given his outcomes and performance, why isn't Cholly LOOKING for another option? You won't know until you give someone else the ball. My opinion has always been, it can't get any worse, no matter who is out there. So start trying your options while you have a nice lead. Let's TRY to do something instead of just running the same people out there b/c that's their role.— scootch
- DS17...did you see Chan Ho yesterday in Houston. 'nuff said. You can't just run anyone out there. It's Madson or Myers.— scootch
- Well, Bob, after tonight's meltdown, what is your opinion now? ... And please, don't insult our intelligence and tell us it's because of a knee or a blister or an ingrown toenail ... Charlie can't have it both ways ... On one hand, he says, ""[Bleep] the last couple years. What the hell? That don't mean [bleep]. We're playing today. Right now. Hey, last year is dead and gone. We're always playing for today." ... Well, the same should apply for Brad.— PhightinPhil
- Well, Bob, after tonight's meltdown, what is your opinion now? ... And please, don't insult our intelligence and tell us it's because of a knee or a blister or an ingrown toenail ... Charlie can't have it both ways ... On one hand, he says, ""[Bleep] the last couple years. What the hell? That don't mean [bleep]. We're playing today. Right now. Hey, last year is dead and gone. We're always playing for today." ... Well, the same should apply for Brad.— PhightinPhil
- Sorry, did not mean to repeat myself.— PhightinPhil
- Yo, Ford, which of us has claimed that Charlie has stuck with Lidge out of misplaced loyalty? Hardly any of us. Instead, we poured folly on the nonsense you write and continue to write. The best option for Philly? Maybe the best option for the Phils is to groom Myers and use the rest of September to see if he can handle the role of closer. Certainly, Brett has every incentive to do so. If the Phillies choose not to offer him a contract renewal/extension or whatever, then Myers needs to prove to the Phillies and other teams that he has what it takes. Whether Myers can crack a now set Phillies 5 man rotation next year is open to question. There would be no doubt, if he succeeds in September and October, that he would have the edge to be closer in 2010. Setting up straw men, Fordie, that you can easily knock down is too easy. Dealing with a lot of the insights we critics have had to offer is a lot harder. So far, none of what you have written dissuades any of us - except perhaps those who championed Chan Ho.— VANDERGRAAFK
- Manuel hasn't been sticking with Lidge out of some sort of sentimentality? Then how do you explain this quote: "When I say he's my closer, I don't tell lies and I don't like to go back on nothing,'' Manuel said later, after Ryan Madson recorded the final two outs to snap a four-game losing streak, as the Phillies improved to 78-58 and maintained a six-game lead over Florida in the NL East. "But the team and the game is bigger than my heart, and it's bigger than anything else, if you want to know the truth. Winning the game is what it's all about - that's baseball and that's why I manage and that's what comes first . . . That was tough for me to do." That sounds EXACTLY like he's been sticking with Lidge for emotional reasons, and now he's got no choice but to give up on that hope or risk the season. How else would you explain it?— ChrisInVT
- CLUELESS BOB...Cholly is doing it because he sticks by his players. How can any rational human say he is the best option? He WAS the best option, but not now. Thats why they got him for Michael Bourn and a bag of chips.— gluteman
- That's the man of the ledge, Eric Bruntlett and maybe a bag of chips for Michael Bourn. As much as I like Michael as a lead off hitter, I wonder where he would fit in this team. Do you platoon Victorino and Bourn and have a part-time lead-off hitter? It's a trade that was made and worked out well in the short run. Without Bruntlett and Lidge, the Phils don't win the 2008 world series. I'm still upset at Placido Polanco for psycho dude. I would love to Polanco at third, but as long as the Phillies had Polanco was Chase ever going to be given a chance. Trades are never always easy, and it's pointless to dwell on what might have been. Heck, I'm still bummed at the loss of Ferguson Jenkins and that was 40 years ago. The acquisition of Lefty only dissipated but a few of a whole series of bad trades in Phillies' history. Bob Buehl, anyone?— VANDERGRAAFK
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About this blog
Bob Ford has been writing about Philadelphia sports since 1981, and is still trying to figure it all out. A former beat writer covering the Phillies and the 76ers, Ford became a general sports columnist for the Inquirer in 2003, following in and occasionally falling in the deep footsteps of Bill Lyon, Frank Dolson and many distinguished others. He comes to the Philly.com blogosphere after award-winning success as designer/editor of the fabulous Pen & Pencil Club softball blog. Likes: Palestra, inside-the-park home runs, sunny days. Dislikes: phony people, cloudy days, rewrites.
Reach Bob at bford@phillynews.com.
Bob Ford
Inquirer Sports Columnist
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