- Phillies, Yanks mostly praise each other
- World Series rivalry splits family loyalties
- Sex pitch for tix?
- Game 1: Lee vs. Sabathia
- World Series nothing new to umpire crew
- 1950, the last all-white World Series
- On the field and off, a different game in 1950
- Baseball Notes: Brad Mills to manage the Astros
- The house Babe didn't build
- Back, back, way back, to early Phila. N.Y. Series
- The long history of baseball, or something like it
- Martinez on Game 2 Series start: No big deal
- Phillies Notes: Myers back on Phils' roster; Cairo out
- With the apparently unique support of John Kruk . . .
- Second title is easier, Flyers' '70s champs say
- It'll be a crime if Yanks win
- Philadelphia was delirious over Whiz Kids' pennant
- Intense Girardi a hit as Yankees' manager
- Phillies no longer behind the racial curve
- Three cheers for the red
- Phillies know that being champions brings perks
- Series kindles memories of Werth's fateful injury
- Numbers give Yankees bragging rights
- Future MVP integrated Yanks in 1955
- Series often have unlikely stars
- Stadiums built for calls of "That ball's outta here!"
- Parade site: Will it be Broad St. or Broadway?
- Who's the best first baseman in the World Series?
- Redemption for A-Rod?
- Mariano Rivera still thriving with one pitch
- New York Post mocks Victorino, 'Frillies'
- It could all come down to the closers
- Ruiz proving to be quite a catch
- Hard to repeat as champs
- Series pits shortstops who love the spotlight
- In South Phila., Joe Dimaggio still an idol
- At 38, Martinez has teammates' and foes' respect
- Payroll disparity still a major problem for baseball
- Buy Phillies jerseys, playoff t-shirts, hats, and more
- Purchase Phillies playoff photos & reprints
Photos: 2009 Phillies - Relive the memories: Coverage of the World Series run
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Intelligent, thought-provoking comments about a difficult and emotional subject. That aside, Lidge is a really good pitcher. The Phillies, and the city, are lucky to have him.
Good article. A glimpse into a very personal subject.
hopefully Lidge (mole) get's in done in save opps
hopefully Lidge (mole) get's in done in save opps
ALL of sports need more professionals like him. 'nough said.
Jesus has nothing to do with it.
PhillyIam?
I am a devout Christian as well, and share as many if not more traits as Mr. Lidge. I too, do not agree wholly with Catholicism, but will not and cannott judge.
I believe that no matter what you want to call him, (GOD, ALLAH, BUDDHA, ETC.) There is in fact an ultimate creator that started this whole thing in motion. I pray daily, and can only hope for the best.
Just remember this, be thankful for all of the things you have, and all of the things that you dont have.
When will Jesus bring the pork chops?
Philsblo?
Peace be with you.
Great insight. Following that logic, we should sell the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, copies of the Declaration (they're just paper), and other so-call 'national treasures' and give the proceeds to the poor. We can sell the Sistine Chapel also; Osama should be able to afford it. After all, nothings too good for the poor, including art and cultural heritage. How many poor can be helped just by selling off the Philly Art Museum?
God help you, Philsblo. Mostly with your spelling.
Philsblo, the difference between Philly fans and Yankee followers is that we appreciate our guys on and off the field. Obviously, you can't understand the concept. Good insight into Lidge, Andy. Hope whatever he believes in works. GO PHILS!
Buck, you will find out what Jesus brings and when. I'm afraid, though, that you won't like what's in store for you...
Great article. A thinking man's pitcher.
Brad Lidge, you are inspirational.
i'm praying for a repeat
Jesus McNugget! Glad to hear Lidge is a liberal Christian and not one of those self-righteous bible babbling idiots.
Pope Brad I. The hierarchy stands in the way of his relationship with God, so I appoint myself hierarch and the final arbiter of truth. Sounds like another victim of the culture of relativism. Following his logic, why doesn't Brad sell his World Series ring and donate the proceeds to the poor? And what about that multi-million dollar contract, Brad, are you donating it to the poor?
I met Lidge when he was an Astros farmhand in '99 and 2000. He had many injuries (some fluky ones like a liner off his forearm that ended his career as a starter/began it as a closer). He's had many things happen to shake and challenge his faith, am glad to see nothing could shake it.
I do not take for granted the character of the members of this team. I mean, stop and think about it, every single member of this team is a class act - homegrown. I can see clearly now the rain is gone - I understand, somewhat, the plan the Phillies brass had. We are very, very lucky.
A thought provoking, sometimes controversial subject and the comments section did not disappoint. Y'all hit that softball out of the park! Oh, and PLEASE don't feed the trolls! If you can't recognize the one here then maybe you just shouldn't post at all.
Nice article, I share a lot of his beliefs being raised Catholic and I find it relevant with the Archdiocese closing schools and going after wealth rather than helping the poor, I like his thoughts on the Sistine Chapel
I think Lidge is probably a nice guy and all but he's your typical religous dummy...with all due respect. His quote - "You come to learn that a lot of times faith and reason are pitted against each other," he said. "But more often than not, they support each other." Um sorry Brad, faith and reason don't support each other. The definition of faith is a belief in something not based on proof. So actually faith and reason are completely contradictory.
As a Lutheran pastor I find this article very interesting .... though (with all respect for Mr. Martino) I think a religion report could have probed some of these issues in a more adept manner. Lidge throws some bombs at the Vatican in here, and I wouldn't be surprised if his comments about the Sistine Chapel are received as offensive by some. Also, I would be interested in a report (next year?) on the religious culture in baseball. The religion in football has been widely reported, with current and former players serving as ministers, players meeting in prayer circles after games, etc.. But what about baseball? Major League Chapel is a pretty conservative protestant ministry that meets in big league clubhouses on Sunday games, but how does that ministry sit with the large number of (presumably Roman Catholic) latino players, or the Asian players with Buddhist or Shinto backgrounds? Are there other religious ministries serving in major league clubhouses? Are they any Sandy Koufax's any longer, sitting out games out of religious observance (Good Friday, sabbath, Yom Kippur, Ramadan?). Still, when most Phillies reports these days are talking about Cairo and Bastardo and 8/20/100 things you need to know about the Yankees, this is refreshing. Thank you.
A nice piece - definitely brought the readers a 3-D picture of a man we know only about 5 minutes at a time. (well, sometimes its more like 10 agonizing minutes, but at least that gives us time to research our ancient artifacts.)
buck... you're crazy man....lmao!!!!
Okay, so Brad views the Catholic hierarchy as being an obstruction to knowing Jesus. Solution? He sets himself up as his own hierarchy, effectively cutting himself off from any objective order of truth. Now Brad is trapped in his own head and his own subjective thoughts. Ironically, Brad himself now becomes the obstacle to know Jesus. In any event, this was a good article, and situates Lidge with Carlton, Daulton, and others whose thought process leaves me scratching my head.
I did not care for this at all. I resent what he said about the Vatican and its art collection. His outlook is wrong. There is more than physical humger. There is a hunger in the soul for beauty. The art works in the Vatican are for all the world to share and they are staying with the Vatican forever. Cultural treasures are what makes the world a wonderful place. He is wrong.
If his faith helps Lidge beat the Yanks, fine. I just don't get why so many athletes put so much stock in religious faith. Do they really think God or whatever is rewarding them when the win and punishing them when they lose? I would think the almighty would have better things to worry about, such as preventing kids from getting cancer (which he does a sh*tty job of, BTW)
@BuckDharma: Nice Carlin reference. I doubt Jesus is bringing any sort of refreshing snack, because 1) chances are that a man with supernatural powers named Jesus never existed and 2) the Rapture is a load of superstitious rubbish.
@mg3212: Just noticed your post. Overall I agree, although I wouldn't necessarily label Lidge a dummy. He's interested in archeology, which probably places him intellectually light years ahead of many athletes.
nice piece...dont agree with all that he said but here's a guy with a brain, a heart and realization that in the grand scheme of things, baseball means nothing...and in this bizarre season he has had, you realize it took something special inside to persevere... of course the Yanks closer, Mariano Rivera, is a great man of faith who does a ton of good when he's not playing baseball...
Now I have even more respect for Brad than ever. He's a spiritual seeker, not a follower of pompous church officials who would dictate a my-way-or-the-highway belief system.
hes a fellow Golden Domer, while his season was tough to watch as a die hard fan, he still never gave up and Charlie Manuel to his eternal credit had his back.. thats how its done.. good for you Brad.. Go Phillies..
I thought Jean Valjean made an excellent point above. I, too, disagreed with Lidge's view of the Vatican. I thought of the passage in the Bible where Mary Magdelene annoints Jesus with oil: "There were some who were indignant. 'Why has there been this waste of perfumed oil? It could have been sold for more than three hundred days' wages and the money given to the poor.' They were infuriated with her. Jesus said, "Let her alone. Why do you make trouble for her? She has done a good thing for me." (MK 14:4-6) Jesus makes his love and concern for the poor clear in the Bible BUT he also makes it clear that worship of God takes precendence over every other thing that we do. Who knows how many people have grown closer to God through the beauty of the Sistine Chapel? Christians ARE called to help the poor in as radical of a way as Jesus did, but we are NEVER to put caring for the poor ahead of praising God in our list of priorities. God comes first.
It's hard not to have a ton of respect for Brad Lidge. He is the same man whether he has 0 blown saves or 11. Class act.
As far as the riches the Catholic Church owns I think what should be done with them is best answered by thinking what would Jesus do with them?
I wish the author had explored more deeply the flip side of the issue, in particular if Brad is concerned he might burn in hell for all eternity if he blows a save.
I'm refreshingly surprised by the great majority of these comments. I was expecting stuff like, "who care what an athlete thinks about religion and philosophy; just worry about what you're being paid for--being a good closer". I think Brad is pretty special. Let's hope he continues an effective postseason...it will very well make or break the Phil's chances.
Jean...You really need to find out how to get enrolled in the school Brad Lidge is going to, because your reading comprehension is miserable. Although, maybe it's just desire to turn something positive into negative. You obviously have never seen the items laying around in the vatican or chapel. These aren't historic items he is talking about, these are gifts, very valuable gifts, that serve no purpose other than to place their power into a visual perspective for all who enter. Having items that teach us about our history is one thing, keeping around worldly treasures for the sake of having them be seen is another. I can only hope that somehow your eyes are opened up to the truth, and that you do not continue to criticize things before you have educated yourself beforehand.
Brad seems like a very intelligent, stand-up guy. Also, this is a touchy subject and Andy did a great job writing this peace. Way to go A.M.!!
MFPhils, the only one betraying ignorance here is you (together with Mr. Lidge). When Catholic immigrants came to this country, poor and uneducated as they were, they nonetheless erected great churches and paid for them as an expression of themselves and their identity as Catholics. Why doesn't Mr. Lidge go after the American military complex and all the billions blown on pointless wars - money that could have been used to 'feed the poor' etc.? Why not go after all the pork in the government budget? The "Vatican" is a soft target. The bottom line is that confused "Catholics" like Mr. Lidge would rather follow the touchy feely of Oprah and the 'self' then embrace the hard sayings of the gospel.
Andy, really thoughtful article. And good interview of Lidge to learn all these things. Very thought-provoking. If only others were as open to reviewing their own beliefs. Good luck, Brad and family.
