That Balls Outta Here
FanSided

Phillies Franchise History: Greatest Player to Wear Each Number

By George Stockburger

PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 09: Former Philadelphia Phillies greats, Jim Bunning, Steve Carlton and Mike Schmidt were among many on hand to honor former manager Charlie Manuel who was to be inducted to the Phillies Wall of Fame during a ceremony before the start of a game against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on August 9, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 09: Former Philadelphia Phillies greats, Jim Bunning, Steve Carlton and Mike Schmidt were among many on hand to honor former manager Charlie Manuel who was to be inducted to the Phillies Wall of Fame during a ceremony before the start of a game against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on August 9, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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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) /

team. 6. . . . Brad Lidge. 54

Brad Lidge provided perhaps the greatest single moment in Phillies history, delivering the final pitch in the 2008 World Series. His strikeout of Eric Hinskie is entrenched in fans memories as he delivered the first Phillies championship in 28 years and the first in Philadelphia in over two decades.

In that 2008 season coming from Houston, Lidge was not just good, he was perfect.  He converted all 48 of his save chances that year and finished with a 1.95 ERA with 92 strikeouts in 69.1 IP during the regular season.  In the postseason, he allowed just one run on five hits en route to a ring.

Lidge was never quite able to replicate the success of that 2008 season, but he remained a solid arm for the Phillies during their return trip to the World Series the following season.

The regular season did not go as he would have liked, as he blew 11 save opportunities.  But he was an important part of the postseason run.  Unfortunately, he only appeared in one inning of the 2009 World Series against the Yankees and gave up three runs along with hitting a batter.

Lidge bounced back when he was healthy in 2010, saving 27 games with a 2.96 ERA in 50 games. Injuries caught up to him, and the team opted not to retain him after the 2011 season.

Brad Lidge was an absolutely necessary piece of that last Phillies run of dominance.  He and Ryan Madson provided a lot of wins for those teams and they were fun to watch.  Lidge is always going to be a fan favorite and the symbol of the 2008 World Series Champions.

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