Lidge in a Historical Context
I have made apologies for Brad Lidge in the past. This is not to say that I am an apologist but rather that I thought the guy deserved a little respect after what he did last year. And maybe he still does. But after blowing his 11th save of the season last night, he no longer gets that free pass from me.
Here’s the problem. Last year, as we all know, he was a perfect 100% in save opportunities. This year, he’s a little south of 75%. Now, .750 would be a great batting average and it wouldn’t even be a terrible completion percentage for a quarterback. But, at this point in the season, the Brad Lidge experiment (which is a great name for a band, by the way) is a miserable failure and the Phillies had better figure out what they’re doing before Lidge blows it for them in the playoffs.
However, I think I can demonstrate this much more convincingly by comparing it to other famous choices and showing what might have happened if they had followed the current Lidge tinged route.
Neville Chamberlain’s War-Time Prime Minister-ship:
When it turns out that Chamberlain is just a little bit off on the whole Hitler as a threat thing despite seizing Poland and annexing the Sudeten-land, the British decide to give him one more chance. As rockets rain down on London, he bravely stands up and proclaims once more, “C’mon guys, Hitler isn’t really trying to invade Britain. He just has to make a good show of it.” On the bright side, Oktoberfest in London becomes a world-renowned tradition.
Jimmy Carter’s Historic Second Term:
Although the rescue of the hostages in Iran doesn’t quite go as planned and despite the oil crisis, America just can’t enough of the Georgia peanut farmer and they send would-be president, Ronald Reagan, back to California to star in a sequel to Bedtime for Bonzo. Carter repays their faith with his famous speech in West Berlin where he kindly asks the Russians to “Please stop being so mean and if it wouldn’t be too much trouble, how about we slowly dismantle this wall.” He then returns home, considers invading Grenada but instead decides to kill them with kindness, sending thousands of jars of Georgia’s finest peanut butter.
George W. Bush’s Re-Election in 2004:
Despite using the pretense of a just war to entangle the US in a war of choice in Iraq and blowing the possibility of paying down the debt with the newly balanced budget handed him by former President Clinton and instead cutting taxes on the wealthy, Americans go to the polls in November of 2004 and send Mr. Bush back to the White House. He returns the favor by further relaxing regulations and sending Americans to the poorhouse in record numbers during the greatest economic downturn since the Great Depression.
Wait a minute, what? That really happened? I was sure it was just a bad dream. Hm, guess that means that whoever faces Philly in the first round has hope after all.
-A
Red State Blue State 
Allen is back!!…. Yay!! Now some more debating on RSBS. Love the new post Allen spot on. Brad Lidge sucks horribly!! Haha I tell it straight Jeff.
Ted – http://tribewithted.mlblogs.com/
I say leave Lidge in. He is doing a fine, fine job 🙂
Emma
http://crzblue.mlblogs.com/
I remember years ago watching him as a set-up guy with the Astro’s he seemed to have the stuff to close, then you saw a hanging pitch and you gave that notion up.
Maybe he found a solution and it got him through a few years, reverting to closing for another former Astro in Philly, but right now Vanna White is asking for another vowel, because Lidge is on the ledge in Philly and needs a safety net.
Can’t say it didn’t happen to a better guy, but then….he is no Billy Wagner.
Rays Renegade
http://raysrenegade.mlblogs.com
You said a mouthful! I am so sick of the Lidge Experiment…cannot believe we are stuck with him for 2 more years! Just praying next year he can figure it out…but for this year, he has screwed our team real good. Ugh.
Jenn
http://philliesphollowers.mlblogs.com/
Jimmy Carter?!?!
He’s history’s greatest monster!!!!!
http://www.paullebowitz.com/
http://princeofny.blogspot.com/
Post hoc ergo propter hoc…where would our one party, two faction gaggle of tax-dollar plunderers be without it?
–Jonestein
http://jonestein.mlblogs.com
Good analogy of second termers. The Phillies need to get Lidge out of there before he starts sending jars of peanut butter to all potential World Series rivals.
– http://janeheller.mlblogs.com
LOL, but people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones, Allen. When your team employs Fernando Rodney as a closer, you probably shouldn’t be making fun of Brad Lidge.
-Erin
http://plunking-gomez.blogspot.com
AHHH SMACK! Erin tellz it how it iz! Eat it, Al!
–Jeff
I’m with Emma… leave him in! : ) The Brad Lidge Experiment… singing Welcome to the Lizards Lounge.. chuckle.
Buz – http://buzblog.mlblogs.com/
You think YOU know Lidge?? You don’t know Lidge unless you’re an Astros Fan. We know Lidge better than anyone. I’ve been riding his *** for years. “Lights out Lidge” has finally shorted out for good. He drove ME crazy when he turned into a basket case for the Astros. I’m also not one of those fans that wished him well when he left. I’m sorry, that’s just not my style. That’s right, I’m enjoying every blown save he has…keep it up!
http://stonebutch99.mlblogs.com