Don’t remind Brad Lidge about that …thing… he forgot already
So Brad Lidge is no more. The Astros finally gave him the hook and he’s no longer closing for them. I would bet a million bucks that if I ask 10 people, those 10 people would give the same reason for his troubles.
Two words. Albert Pujols.
Even ‘Stros manager, Phil Garner, gets into the act:
Garner is adamant that Lidge’s problems stem from bad karma and the media scrutiny from having given up Albert Pujols’ game-winning home run in Game 5 of the 2005 National League Championship Series.
“He’s conscientious,” Garner said of Lidge. “As I had said earlier, I think it’s time for him to say to a few of you folks, ‘I’ve talked about this enough. I have work to do.’ You got to follow a story, but you can’t keep answering the thing from Pujols. And most of this stems from that moment and what’s carried on.”
Lidge was on the Dan Patrick Show yesterday and, as usual, he was all business when it came to the question if whether Albert Pujols’ home run in the NLCS begat his demise.
“It’s obviously a fair assessment for someone to make that conclusion and say that was the reason…”
Of course it is, Brad; but as much fanfare as has been made over Pujols’ blast (it was monumental), one thing that gets constantly overlooked is Lidge’s performance in the World Series. The guy himself seems to have forgotten.
From the Dan Patrick show, April 16:
Wait, but what happened in between the NLCS and the World Baseball Classic?
Oh right, the World Series. It was there where Lidge truly spiraled out of control.
And of course, game four, top of the 9th, Willie Harris on second. Jermain Dye singles in the only run of the game. Pitching for the Astros was Mr. Brad Lidge.
April 18th, 2007 at 9:46 am
As a long time Astros fan I can tell you that Lidge’s struggles are not solely b/c of Pujols. He was clearly struggling the last couple weeks of the regular season in ‘05 and then it just continued into the postseason. Pujols homer and the subsequent media coverage may have been the final nail in the coffin, but they are not the sole cause.
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May 6th, 2007 at 3:55 am
All I know is that I am sick of hearing about Pujols EVERYtime Lidge goes up to pitch. You can actually feel the negative energy at an Astros game when he pitches, and I think that stinks. If you are a “real” fan for any team, it would be great if you had faith in them.
By the way, if you are going to make a video bashing someone for their mistakes, make sure you do not have tons of grammar and spelling errors.
Thanks.
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