Sep 20, 2011; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Brad Lidge (54) delivers to the plate during the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals during game one of a doubleheader at Citizens Bank Park. The Nationals defeated the Phillies 4-3 in 10 innings. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Fists in the air, knees on the ground, a delirious Chooch thundering toward him, his mouth somewhere in the middle of screaming “OH MY GOD WE DID IT.”  It was the World Series victory that spawned 28 years of restrained celebration, a couple of flaming cars, a pretty bad concussion for this guy, and the idea that Brad Lidge is perfect.

Brad Lidge is not perfect, as we learned in the subsequent three years of his Phillies career.  But he achieved for himself a lifetime pass to the city of Philadelphia, going 48-for-48 in save opportunities in 2008, and fetching this town a World Series title.

So it makes sense that he will retire as a Phillie on August 1 at home against the Giants, throwing out first pitch to – he hopes – Carlos Ruiz.

Brad played six years for the Astros, four years for the Phillies (He was pitching for us as recently as September 2011. Why does that sound so recent?), and one part of a year with the Nationals, who brought him in just to turn him around and make him say stuff like this.

He finished up with 225 saves and an accumulated WAR of 7.8.  But all of that pales in comparison to that one moment in which he’d answered when the next World Series win would come, and just before we’d start waiting for the next one that wouldn’t.

That fateful 2008 season was remarkable for Lidge, not just for his post-season, but his historic regular season as well. Brad earned the moniker “Lights-Out-Lidge” after going 41-41 in save opportunities with a miniscule 1.95 ERA. Lidge was brought in by GM Pat Gillick to replace the cantankerous Billy Wagner, who left for Queens chasing a big pay day. It was fitting that he replaced Wagner in Philly, as he had done the same in Houston when Wagner left town.

Lidge’s ascendance into Phillies lore was by no means a foregone conclusion. The last two seasons in Houston for Lidge were anything but lights out. After helping the Astros reach the World Series in 2005, his ERA ballooned to 5.28, dropping to 3.36 in 2007 but still struggling with the long ball. Many in the industry described Lidge as shell shocked, falling victim to the emotionally crippling home run he gave up to Albert Pujols in the 05′ NLCS. While the Astros went on to defeat the the Cardinals, Lidge was a noticeable different pitcher after that blast by Prince Albert.

“Lidge was Mr. Perfect in 2008, going 41-41 in save opportunities” Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Lidge came to Philadelphia as a risky investment, particularly given that he cost the Phillies a promising young speedster named Michael Bourn (who could soon return). Gillick’s gamble on Brad Lidge paid off, but his tenure in Philly wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. As good as 2008 was for Brad, the following season was tragically bad. His 7.21 ERA was comically high, almost unbelievable to anyone who just read the box scores. For all the fans tuning in to watch the Phillies defend their World Series title Lidge was a liability every time on the mound. His once un-hittable slider just spun in the strike zone for hitters to mash left and right. When he wasn’t giving up home runs, he was walking the bases loaded. Despite all of that, the Phils still returned to the World Series.

His final two seasons in pin stripes were more Lidge-esque, however they were marred by injuries and long stays on the disabled list. He lost his role as closer to Ryan Madson, and then only managed to pitch in 19 innings in his final season. He could have walked away then, but Lidge was determined to show the league and himself that he still had something left. He signed with the Nats last year, but couldn’t shake the arm troubles. He isn’t the first pitcher to have his career dictated by arm troubles, and certainly won’t be the last.

For all the injuries and the huge swings of success and turmoil, Lidge had an extremely successful 10-year career. He racked up 225 saves, pitched in three World Series, and took home a ring. Despite the sour note he left on in Philly, I will forever remember the 2008 Lidge. When he threw that slider past Eric Hinske in Game 5 I jumped for joy, and dropped to my knees in unison with the closer. As a fan born after 1983 this was my only taste of a Philadelphia championship and Phillies World Series title. On behalf of Phillies fans everywhere, thank you Brad Lidge – there is a spot on the wall of fame waiting for you.

“Brad Lidge laughed when told by a reporter that the fans in Philadelphia are already worried about the Phillies after their 1-3 start.”

–Marc Narducci, philly.com

Hey, Brad, just because we’re spewing delusional paranoia from our detached version of reality doesn’t mean you can sit there and mock us.

I know it’s all good times in that baseball mecca of Washinton, D.C., where they’ve never achieved anything but success on and off the baseball field, but we have a certain standard to live up to in Philadelphia.  And that standard is impossible to meet, which gives us the license to complain endlessly.  Do you not remember how this works?

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