Phillies Wall of Fame: 5 candidates for 2019 induction

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PHILADELPHIA – OCTOBER 29: Brad Lidge #54 (L) and Carlos Ruiz #51 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrate the final out of their 4-3 win to win the World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays during the continuation of game five of the 2008 MLB World Series on October 29, 2008 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Brad Lidge

The first image that buds into Phillies fans minds when the 2008 season is discussed is Brad Lidge striking out Eric Hinske to win the first championship in Philadelphia in over 20 years.

Lidge came to Philadelphia via the Houston Astros in an offseason trade executed by Pat Gillick and former Phillies general manager Ed Wade, who joined the Houston Astros in the same role.

PHILADELPHIA – OCTOBER 21: Brad Lidge #54 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers 10-4 to advance to the World Series in Game Five of the NLCS during the 2009 MLB Playoffs at Citizens Bank Park on October 21, 2009 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) /

After tearing his meniscus in spring training Lidge earned his first of 48 consecutive saves on April 7 against the Cincinnati Reds. Mr. Perfect would convert all 41 of his regular season save opportunities and seven more in the playoffs, including game five of the World Series.

A career-season for Lidge resulted in a fourth-place Cy Young finish and eighth for MVP.

After a bumpy 2009 season, Lidge came back with two more solid campaigns in Philadelphia before finishing his career in Washington. He’s remained close to the organization as a spring training coach and mentor for young pitchers despite living in Colorado and starting a broadcasting career

Lidge is a lock to make the Wall of Fame at some point, and with no clear front-runners at this point, 2019 could be his year.

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