Sep
23
2009
Brad Lidge Simply Cannot Be Trusted To Close Baseball Games
Posted by meech.one at 11:49 pm ET
368 Comments
The Phillies were up 6-5 going into the bottom of the ninth inning tonight in Miami. Enter Brad Lidge.
Double by Ross Gload. (Screaming) Line out to right by Chris Coghlan, Gload advances to 3rd. John Baker strikes out on a called third strike where the ball was about a half-a-foot off the plate. Hanley Ramirez walks. Jorge Cantu singles to center, Gload scores, blown save Lidge. Pinch hitter Brett Carroll singles to center, Ramirez scores, game over.
Brad Lidge and his stupid face fall to 0-8 on the season with 11th blown saves.
Go away, Brad Lidge.
368 Responses to “Brad Lidge Simply Cannot Be Trusted To Close Baseball Games”
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Will someone please kidnap this guy until the postseason is over? Please? Any Philly mob connections around here?
i’d take the in-bred bastard child of big alfonseca and tom gordon over him at this point.
Seriously, I am fucking fed up with this bastard now. Enough of this Cholly, it’s time for a permanent change. Lidge can be the new bat boy
SOMEONE NEEDS TO BREAK HIS ARM!!!!
In all seriousness, who does everyone think should come in? As we all know, Madsons certainly hasn’t been trustworthy either and who knows if Myers will even be healthy enough to attempt the job
me
Let’s not forget last year. no WS without him.
That said, Walker closed before and has been effective this year. Why not?
When he comes back? Chan Close Park. Until now? Tyler Walker.
00:05 to 00:12 of this is a perfect summary of brade lidges time in philly so far lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKo4ariYcCU
Any idiot still defending Lidge will be tied to Brad Lidge, who will attached to the cement block from the ankles down. $10m this year, $11.5m in ’10, another $11.5m in ’11, club option for $12 in ’12. Anyone think the Phils take that?
Fuck no
This breaks my heart. I love the guy but he has his ring and putting him in the game is just digging his grave deeper. Cholly, do something, now!
Anyone ever notice that even in Brad’s SAVES he gives up at least a run or two? WHEN the fuck was his last 1-2-3 save?
I would be happy to go in and blow saves for HALF of Lidge’s salary. Email me, Cholly.
Cholly has no more excuses. Lidge can no longer be “our guy” he is damaged goods.
I thank him for his great year last year, that was amazing. It will be more amazing, and I would be more thankful if he just took his own name off the roster for the rest of the year.
I agree with most of the comments here…Lidge needs to go. If the Phillies even want to repeat as World series champions they can not afford to have Lidge close games. Last year he made a deal with the devil and is paying for it this year. Yes he did have a perfect season last year but a lot of games were pure luck behind a solid defensive effort. If it were’nt for the plays of Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley etc. a lot of the times he would have blown a lot last year as well. It was what it was last year and yes we did bring home the crown but its a lot different this year. I would take my chances on Madson and hopefully the return of Myers. I mean it cant be any worse.
It’s too damn easy to just say Lidge sucks and that Charlie is dumb for putting him in there. If you all think its so obvious than give an alternative besides Madson, who has also failed at the job. This is a big time problem with no real solutions. Charlie knows this, and he probably hasn’t even been able to sleep at night thinking of the playoffs.
I won’t believe it until I see a video from CarlaKnows about the subject.
We should get John Brazer to leave his ring in the bathroom of a closer so we can identify one.
@BigMiles if you don’t think Madson is a better alternative than Lidge I don’t know what to tell you
I know he’s only human, but I can’t fucking stand him anymore. Hearing his name pisses me off, seeing his face sends me into a fit of rage. Fuck Brad Lidge.
i bet Walker was sweating more and more watching this.
FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCKKKKK!!!!!!!!! Lidge stinks.
lidge shouldn’t be on the postseason roster.
if a guy like walker had lidge’s stats he’d have been sent down or released.
How ’bout using the last 12 games to get Maddening a shot…hell, he can’t be worse than Lights Out right now.
If Maddness goes belly up again, it’s time to use one of the odd men out for the playoff rotation.
J.A. Happ comes to mind, although I like him in the starter role.
Pedro also comes to mind and I also like him in the starter role…hmmm.
Cholly will have to flip a coin it appears. But it’s one of the two.
Couldn’t agree more, Clown Puncher. Was just gonna write the same thing. Matter of fact, it’s like you took the words right outta me mouth.
We have a wealth of starting pitching, let’s utilize this feature to patch the sorry state of affairs in the ninth. It’d make a hell of a story.
Madson hasn’t earned one more shot, but he’ should get one anyhow…by simple default.
even his mole knew he couldn’t get the job done
FFFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU LIDGE!! We should be up at least 13, 14 games in the division and already be resting guys for the POST I almost hope he gets hurt and we just have to shut him down, is that bad?
Lidge quotes in my morning paper:
“I’m a little bit at a loss.”
You have blown 11 saves and lost 8 games and you’re only a LITTLE bit at a loss?
“I’m sure there’s some things I can do better.”
1) Stop sucking. 2) Locate your fast ball or they will never swing at the slider in the dirt. 3) Stop walking batters. You have enough baserunners without handing out free passes. 4) Either start holding runners or stop pitching out of the stretch, if that’s your problem. 5) Stop throwing balls down the middle of the plate. 6) Stop sucking.
“Let’s not forget last year. no WS without him.”
This is 2009, not 2008.
“That said, Walker closed before and has been effective this year. Why not?”
Hmm, how about because he sucks? He is the back of a bullpenn type guy, not someone you throw out in high leverage situations.
Anyone who thinks Tyler Walker should close should be shot in the head.
“It’s too damn easy to just say Lidge sucks and that Charlie is dumb for putting him in there. If you all think its so obvious than give an alternative besides Madson, who has also failed at the job.”
This pisses me off too. How can you say Madson failed at the job when his sample is so small? He is our best reliever and should be our closer. the end.
And no, it isn’t too easy to say Lidge sucks and Charlie is dumb. Charlie is a DOPE, plain and simple. He is the same guy who EVERYONE in Philly wanted to run out of town last year for all of his dumb moves (that is, untill his team magically won the WS). Now, everyone is all over Cholie’s saggy balls and I’m not sure why. I mean the guy can’t even formulate a simple sentence. And Lidge has sucked. Now, whether it’s due to injury or just sucking, I don’t know. All that matters is he has sucked and he shouldn’t be closing.
Also, I wouldn’t mine seeing Pedro closing.
I say they draw straws down in the bullpen before the ninth to see who gets the shot. Seriously this might leave us better off.
Anyone know where I can look at the 40 man roster as of Sept. 1st?
Harry, are you serious right now?
Saves-Opps
Madson: 8-14
Park: 0-1
Durbin: 2-3
Condrey: 1-2
Taschner: 0-1
Lidge: 31-42
Romero: 0-1
Total: 42-64
Honestly, Brad did have one more chance, which was last night, but now I can’t really see Charlie putting him in close games anymore. I think Charlie was trying to give hime a second chance or a third or a fourth and so on, but now its crunch time and even Charlie knows he cant trust Brad. He cant be that dumb can he?
I’ve been thinking that whoever pitches the 8th should stay in to get the first out of the 9th. Lidge can come in and get the final two. It’s getting the final out that’s been his biggest problem, so if he only has to retire 2 batters he might be ok.
Maybe we could rescue Pat from Tampa and see him toss a few balls out there?
I don’t give a shit who closes, just not Lidge, and preferably not Madson. Almost every other pitcher in the bullpen has better overall stats than Lidge when you look at ERA and WHIP. Start trying guys out and see who can get 3 fucking outs in the 9th. It’s re-goddamn-diculous.
For that matter… if Cholly is so dead set on bringing in Lidge, which is insane in and of itself, how can he not have someone else up and throwing in the bullpen? When Lidge gives up a lead off double? How about after he blows the save but before he loses the fucking game? Still no call to the bullpen?
Who here thinks that any manager worth his salt wouldn’t have pulled him after he blew the save? Don’t think Bobby Cox would have yanked his worthless ass off of the mound?
Manuel reminds me of Andy Reid in this situation. No matter how bad a player is doing,no matter how much he cost or could cost the team to fail he still sticks with his guy. This is a team sport and should not revolve around one player. Look what they do in hockey if a goalie gives up too many goals or a player is just plain sucking it up..THEY BENCH HIM! and if the back up does better( and they wouldnt know unless they tried him) he gets the start the next game and in most cases becomes the starter. I agree with RJW we should already have clinched the East and resting guys for the post season. It might be too late to try and rotate him as a reliever in the seventh or eighth. I just dont know. Now I’m not saying I’m a perfect person as I am not, but this guy was brought here and payed to do a certain job and lets face it…hes not getting it done and I feel if it is not addressed ..we can kiss that repeat goodbye.
Bobby cox wouldve sent his ass to the minors back when he blew his FIFTH save, and wouldnt have brought him back til the end of september
Man I wish I could find a job where I only do what I’m supposed to do less than 75% of the time. That would be sweet.
On a selfish note, I’m going to 3 games next week. Lidge’s blown save puts me in much better position to see a clincher (or, I suppose, the finishing touches on a disaster…).
TC made a great point; any other pitcher with those numbers would have been long gone.
Anyone on the list is a better option at this point, if nothing more than by default. How can anyone else be any worse?
@jdashdog – what in my posts would lead you to believe i’m not serious?
http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090923&content_id=7117468&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=phi
This is the same fucking shit they post every time he blows a fucking save. “He is struggling, he’s our closer.” Fuck that. Cholly, I love you, but you are jeopardizing the entire team’s chances to repeat by keeping him as closer. If he has no confidence now and is cracking under pressure now, then its going to be 10x worse in the playoffs. Thanks for last year Brad, but this inconsistent bullshit is enough to make any true fan vomit.
Thus says the Lord
what a no- talent ass clown
It’s all Jesus’ fault. Brad Lidge isn’t praying hard enough!
@JDashDog: I was thinking pretty much the same thing with having the 8th inning guy stay in and let Lidge get the last out. There was also that time that Madson pitched the 8th, then Eyre got the first two in the 9th, and Lidge closed it out. I realize that was about matchups, but limiting Lidge to one out seemed to work.
I am glad everyone is as freaked out as I am about this. As a long time sufferer, this team is too good to have it’s chances snuffed out in the bottom of the last inning. Yes, it’s def bad luck right now, as every viable alternative to Bradley is either injured (Myers, Park, Romero) or a headcase (Madsen). It’s easy to say things like why didn’t we trade for George Sherrill, but whatever. And I understand getting out your “FFFFF UUUUUU Lidge’s”, but what is the solution here (as if it’s up to us, ha)?
Pedro? I feel like he needs to ease into games, can’t just turn it on.
Happ? Yikes.
Walker?
Look at the 40 man roster (http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/team/roster_40man.jsp?c_id=phi) Whom?!
We’re fucked.
“I’ve been thinking that whoever pitches the 8th should stay in to get the first out of the 9th. Lidge can come in and get the final two. It’s getting the final out that’s been his biggest problem, so if he only has to retire 2 batters he might be ok.”
And I hope to god this is a joke.
” Yes, it’s def bad luck right now, as every viable alternative to Bradley is either injured (Myers, Park, Romero) or a headcase (Madsen). ”
1. It’s “Madson”
2. Do you have some secret information because I never knew Madson was a headcase.
for fuck’s sake, we look the 2007 and 2008 Mets once we get to the 9th. FUCK!!!!!
I gotta headline for the daily news:
“LIDGE BLOWS
..save”
@Harry, Charlie is a dope? EVERY manager makes decisions that are questioned. Charlie is a pretty intuitive guy who knows his players and most of the time puts them in positions to win games. You’re entitled to your opinion but I don’t think you should bash him. If you actually listened to what he has to say he’s a pretty intelligent guy. I also don’t think it’s clear cut that Madson should be the closer, but at this point I’d rather see anyone but Lidge blow the save. I don’t know where you get Pedro from though. Pedro is NOT going to be the closer. You can’t just instert a guy into a role and expect him to perform. That’s why it’s not so easy for Charlie to just yank Lidge out of there and put somebody else in. Bullpen pitchers need routine and when their role suddenly gets changed they usually don’t fare as well.
@Lynnie, that’s the game that made me think that would work. Whether Lidge comes in for 1 or 2 outs I think he’d fare much better and hopefully restore his confidence over time
Harry, Madson is a little limp upstairs at times. Hence, six blown saves in fourteen attempts. As I have said infinitely in the past; Madson is a gem in his eighth spot…give him the chance to be a pitcher of record and then the results aren’t so sweet. That’s someone, with his repetoire of pitches, is a Headward.
For someone so vehement in his posts about Philies personell, you should have come to that conclusion thus far.
it’s not even like he has hit a rough stretch or something he’s been doing this the entire year. i really can’t say theres a guy in the bullpen that i have confidence to throw out there in the 9th and i think charlie feels no confidence in them either
You know what grinds my gears even more?
1) “The bottom line is we’ve got to get better. We’ve got to close the games out. When you’re winning a game in the ninth inning, the winning teams win those games. We’re not closing the games out. Everybody out there knows it.”- good ‘ol charlie is basically blaming the team for this one and not putting it on lidge’s shoulders which really pisses me off. Do we need to score 10 runs a game in order to win? that just pisses me off the only reason games aren’t being closed out is because of your repeat bad decision of putting in lidge and not pulling him after a lead off double.
2) But asked if there is an alternative to Lidge, Manuel said there is not.- fuck.
wait….madson is a head case because he has six blown saves? is that’s the case lidge belongs in a straight jacket.
Apologies about the misspelling Ryan Madson’s name. Not that it’s terribly relevant to the conversation, nor am I Bill Shakespeare, but I do try and mind my grammar and spelling when posting online.
Well, my reasons for thinking he doesn’t have the mental toughness (i.e headcase) for closing out games is in line with bigmyc’s reasoning above. His stuff is nasty, throws mid to high 90′s, has a great change up, and I believe his funky delivery helps him in that the batter picks up the ball “late”. So I deduce he gets nervous like a “footballer on the big occasion” and eff’s up.
Whaaaa! WE NEED A CLOSER!!!!
8 in 14 attempts compared to 11 in 42 attempts… both shitty
Bruntlett for Closer!
@ Tony Is Dynamic: I was thinking tha same thing… WTF
@ Lynniemac: I recall that game – Scott was like “can I finish this?” and Cholly comes out, and brings in Lidge for the last out .. unbelieveable.
I forget what two bobbleheads the Phillies gave out this season. Probably should stick to fireworks, like the Pirates.
It will all work out in the end though.
Why not? He’s pretty good at getting 3 outs all at once, right?
@Heathcliff Slocumb: agreed. By the way, remember when you gave me that autograph at the Vet in the 90s?
I dont Brad Lidge truly understands how terrible he is. I go to school in Baltimore and I have O’s fans telling me he sucks. Seriously! Fucking shitty ass Orioles fans are saying this! They havent seen good ball in over a decade! Sit him down, break his arm if you have to. While hes on sabatical there should be a mandated mole removal ass well, that thing just pisses me off. FU Brad, FU
You guys don’t seem to understand sample size. Madson has not been given enough save opportunities to classify him a bad closer. Maybe he does suck at a closer, but it’s impossible to make that conclusion right now.
Also, why do so many people relate bown saves with mental toughness? Madson blows a few saves and he is all of a sudden a headcase? There is no logic beind that and it makes zero sense. To put it in perspective, I guess Lidge was mentally tough last season but not this season.
“That’s why it’s not so easy for Charlie to just yank Lidge out of there and put somebody else in. …Pedro is NOT going to be the closer. You can’t just instert a guy into a role and expect him to perform.”
Charlie is continually throwing out Lidge to close games despite having an ERA over 7 and leading the league in blown saves. What isn’t easy about that? What will it take 3 straight blown saves in a row? Bottom line is that there is NO other manager in all of baseball who would still be using Lidge to close games.
Also, you’re really overrating the 9th inning, AKA, the “closer’s role.” Plus, Pedro is a top 3 pitcher of all time and has pitched in many pressure situations, so it’s not completely foreign territory.
what about stairs? this is an emergency, right?
Harry, stop commenting on my shit.
The reason people equate mental toughness with blown saves is because Madson has excelled in the 8th, but hasn’t done too well when asked to close. It’s a different situation when you know you’re the closer and it’s do or die. No one is overrating “the closer’s role” as you put it. You can’t tell me that pitching the 9th is the same as pitching any other inning. There’s way more pressure and if you don’t think it affects the closer you’re kidding yourself. We’d all love a quick fix, but you’re being brash. We already have bigmyc to make senseless, long-winded posts anyway so you might want to focus your energy elsewhere.
Bottom line is, if there was someone on the staff who could actually be an effective closer at this moment, don’t you think he’d be closing by now? I think the best bet would be Myers if he’s healthy for no reason other than that he’s done it before and seemed to relish that role.
Flash Gordon
@ Cola Classic – were you the kid that asked me to sign his Lenny Dykstra card? If so, then yes.
Come to think of it….Heathcliff for Closer? It’s got a nice ring to it, eh???
what about JC?
I really wish ESPN would take it off their front page
I believe 14 oppurtunities with 6 blown saves is an adequate sample size there Harry.
But for the Yankees, no other team has clinched. Will there be a postseason in Philadelphia this year?
This was posted on http://www.phillies.com today;
“He was our closer last year and we signed him to be our closer now,” Manuel said. “He’s struggling. But at the same time, it’s hard for us to close the game out. It’s tough. It’s kind of what we’ve got. I’ve got confidence in him. I keep sending him back out there and hopefully he does the job. That’s about all I can say. I pull for him every time he goes out there, believe me. I guarantee you that.”
Manuel has confidence in him? Still? Really?
“Mental toughness” is a bunch of ESPN crap. Madson is the best reliever on this team by the numbers, and he can close. Saves are an incredibly overrated stat, which is why closers are incredibly overpaid. Just look at Lidge. He’s sucked top to bottom this year and he’s managed to get 31 of them. To get a save, you come in with the bases empty, no outs, and the lead, and have to get three outs. You don’t think Madson’s been in higher leverage spots than that his whole career? He’s had some rough outings this season but every single stat of his worth worrying about is better than Lidge’s, and he has the best stuff of anyone in the bullpen. He’s the clear choice.
Phylan,
The most important stat is saves to opportunities and Lidge is 11/41 @ 73%. Madson is 8/14 at 56%. Neither have closed well, don’t delude yourself.
That is actually the least important stat. The fact that Lidge has managed to stumble to 31 of them should tell you that. I just explained why saves are crap.
You did not explain you stated. I’m not really sure what’s more important than winning or losing. The only reason we are having this conversation is because brad lidge lost the game last night.
What?
@JD…exactly, that’s what I’ve been saying. All the pro-Madson people keep saying the sample size shit but honestly he has blown 4 ninth inning saves and that is still about the average for closers who have been doing it ALL YEAR.
@Phylan…”Madson is the best reliever on the team by the numbers, and he can close”
Uhhh according to who? You? He has not provided a shred of evidence that he can close. Obviously I trust him over Brad, but that’s not saying anything at this point.
Also you claim he has “the best stuff in the bullpen”. Wellll actually Lidge is the current career leader for strikeouts/9 innings and that hasn’t really gotten him anywhere this year. Lidge has shutdown, dominant stuff, but that hasn’t translated into an ounce of success this year.
It’s not all about the stuff. And if you think “mental toughness” is just something made up by ESPN, look up A-Rod’s numbers in the playoffs or Tony Romo’s QB rating in December and January. Or just look in the dictionary under Oliver Perez.
We’re having this conversation because Lidge has a 7.48 ERA with 59 Ks to 34 BBs and 15% of his flyballs go for homeruns. We have another guy on the team who has a 3.33 ERA with 73 Ks to 21 BBs and gives up home runs on only 10% of his flyballs allowed. Now which one do you think is going to make a better closer?
Having a perfect closer last year warped ya’lls heads, I swear to god.
I was just declined for NLDS tickets. Anyone else get the email?
Tony Romo is a bad quarterback. Oliver Perez is a bad pitcher. A-Rod is a brilliant hitter whose playoff numbers are the result of small sample size fluctuation. Crazy shit happens in the playoffs, in case you weren’t aware. Rodriguez had two bad postseasons: 2005 and 2006. Everyone seems to forget 1997, 2000, 2004, and 2007 because it doesn’t fit the horseshit “clutch” narrative.
Lidge has a 7.48 ERA, a 57 ERA+, and a 1.86 WHIP. Those numbers don’t lie. They are an accurate representation of Lidge’s performance this year. (Those numbers might actually be higher except that walk-offs like last night prevent Lidge from giving up even more runs/baserunners.)
For those of you who ask who else in the bullpen is a better alternative, my response is “Anyone else.” I am 100% serious. At this point, I would rather see anyone other than Lidge coming out of the bullpen to pitch the ninth. No one else has numbers that are as bad as Lidge. No one else looks as scared on the mound as Lidge. I don’t think anyone else’s numbers would change significantly just because they are pitching the ninth.
Good god, that ERA+. Good god.
im calling out bigmyc. lets turn this thread into 300 posts
if cole hamels would only hit homers instead of singles we wouldn’t be having this conversation would we? it’s all his fault. him and his dog backpack.
Clay Condrey 4 closer! 3.20 ERA, 134 ERA+, 1.17 WHIP
@ Wawa – there may be no NLDS in Philly if Brad Lidge has anything to do with it.
That reminds me, is Philly in general going to take Charlie to task for blowing this season on his stubborn devotion to Lidge, or does he have too much ’08 goodwill stored up
harry i agree with your first thought about tyler walker.. but i dont agree with pedro. pedro has been awful in first innings this year.. he seems like a guy that needs time to stretch out and warm up that rubber arm. and.. charlie isnt a dope hes just option-less. even though thats not a word, its entirely true. Charlie hasnt found a solution because they simply dont exist. I would offer he try something, but there has to be something holding him back from plugging in another dope in the closers roll. I dont have any wishywashy suggestions just to sound good on the internet, all i know is that Brad needs to grow a sack–hes not going anywhere.
Brad’s not going to grow a sack and he’s not going to start pitching accurately or with the proper movement though. That’s why the Phillies are fucked.
It’s not all about the stuff. And if you think “mental toughness” is just something made up by ESPN, look up A-Rod’s numbers in the playoffs or Tony Romo’s QB rating in December and January. Or just look in the dictionary under Oliver Perez.”
So you’re basicing your point that mental toughness exists on just three examples, with two of them being horrible examples. If that’s not proof I don’t know what is.
“harry i agree with your first thought about tyler walker.. but i dont agree with pedro. pedro has been awful in first innings this year”
i see what you’re saying but pitching in the 1st inning as a starter and pitching the 9th inning as a reliever are two completely different things
And it’s sickening that people on here are actually defending Manual. I’ll say it again – NO other manager in the league would continue to use Lidge in the 9th. I think Manual is really full of himself now when it comes to players/coach loyalty. Lidge has cost us 11 games…that’s unbelievable. If he runs him out during the playoffs and Lidge blowsup yet again, he deserves to be fired.
Pedro has a lot of value as a starter at least at the moment, probably too much to stick in a 1 inning role, in my opinion.
maybe with all the money they are charging for playoff tickets this year we could buy a new closer?
“He was our closer last year and we signed him to be our closer now,” Manuel said. “He’s struggling. But at the same time, it’s hard for us to close the game out. It’s tough. It’s kind of what we’ve got. I’ve got confidence in him. I keep sending him back out there and hopefully he does the job. That’s about all I can say. I pull for him every time he goes out there, believe me. I guarantee you that.”
Sorry for the 3 posts in a row, I feel like bigmyc. I just need to point out how ridiculous cholie’s statement is. Manual clearly doesn’t know what a sunk cost is. Lidge is getting paid his money no matter what, and that isn’t a reason to continue to send him out. Also, it’s very reassuring when Cholie says that he is HOPING Lidge does the job. If that doesn’t instill confidence I don’t know what will.
Phylan, Lidges’ numbers are horrible but Madson’s numbers are not that great either and he hasn’t been a good closer so we don’t need to make any assumptions about what he will do. I’m all for anyone but Lidge but I don’t think there is anyone who is a clear cut choice. If there were we wouldn’t be in the situation. Madson has been tested, and he has equally failed.
Harry, lol. I want to like you, but you’re crazy.
What about kyle? Is he a possibility?
99
100
Damnit.
People may disagree on who we should use in the 9th, but the one thing everyone seems to agree on (minus cholie) is that lidge needs to GTFO!
As stupid as this may sound, I wouldn’t be so infuriated about this situation if it seemed like the Phils were doing anything to remedy the problem. I don’t care how much money the guy is making, after he blew a few saves let someone else take over the 9th inning and work with him until he can locate his fastball and pick up his slider. If he is the guy we have, fine but he doesn’t have to be in his current condition.I’ve read about him watching film but that isn’t enough for me, I want him practicing until his arm is falling off until he is the pitcher we all know he can be.
@jessem Madson’s numbers are great – he has a great ERA, a great WHIP, great K/BB ratio, and a FIP to match the ERA, so you know it’s not luck or defense that’s saving him.
Phylan – jessem is probably referring to his numbers while being used as a closer
I’m with dangergirl. I wouldn’t be so mad if I felt like the management was doing SOMETHING about it. It’s like you get burned twice, three times you can say it’s a mistake. your burn your hand 11 cot damn times and someone’s gonna think it might be you’re a dumbass.
Any manager who hadn’t just managed a World Series team in the year prior would be fired for this bullshit, by the way.
Relax, Jdog, you tiny ball bagged attention craver. Harry was commenting on me commenting on his post about Maddening’s lack of mental grit.
Harry, again, you seem to think that a headcase is ALWAYS off the rails….uh, not so. It is this lack of RELIABILITY that makes someone a head case. Capesce? Also, with all due respect, you can take the small sample size and wedge it up your well sampled rear. Six blown saves out of 14 possible is plenty large enough for me to comprehend how un-closerish Madson can be. Just because he’s a better option than the Flamin’ Lidge Show doesn’t make him a good candidate. Keep him in the 8th and let J.A. or Pedro round the games out.
Haha, go ahead, put Happ or Pedro in as closer and you’ll be praying for Madson back in the 9th.
Pedro closes for Cliff, Joe closes for Cole, Cliff closes for Pedro, Cole closes for Joe. You’re welcome, Charlie.
Phylan, you don’t seem to comprehend that those numbers get distorted as soon as he’s called on to start the ninth. Most of those numbers are courtesy of the eighth…where he’s most comfortable.
Your Madson hard on is getting grotesquely prominent. I like him for all things pre-ninth. That distinction should go to one of the starters throughout the post season. Of course, it’ll probably work out that Madson gets the call anyhow, but he’s gonna have to earn that the next two weeks.
Ya no Happ or Pedro. We should put Madson in to close and then have Werth take madson’s spot.
Wait can Bruntlett pitch?
Yeah, because Madson is so much more seasoned than Madson in a high pressure role…..(yeah, right.)
I like J.A. there because he knows how he should pitch. Pedro, other than his HOF history, also understands how to pitch and can deal with pressure. It’s worth a shot.
The two we have for the ninth aren’t and haven’t been getting it done. I’m willing to give Madson thru the season’s end to prove it.
Meant; “because Madson is so much more seasoned than Pedro in a high…”
Jessem, did your father EVER take you seriously?
jessem, you sir/madam are #101 on the list of ALL 100 posters who have ever made a significantly thought provoking comment on this blog.
Better luck next time.
Madson in the 9th inning: 3.38 ERA, 24 Ks and 6 BBs, 1.13 WHIP. I’m sorry, what was that you all were saying?
I don’t have a hard on for Madson, I have a hard on for the Phillies having an inkling of a shot at getting to the goddamned NLCS
Phylan, you and others act like this is Charlie’s decision alone. You don’t think Ruben is behind him here? Even though the Lidge extension wasn’t during his watch, he knows that it will come back to him if Lidge continues to be awful. The entire organization made a commitment to Lidge and they are trying their best to ride it out. Again, and I’ve said this about 100 times now, Charlie’s decision making is heavily influenced because of how padded our lead is. Lidge would NOT be in there if the division was tighter.
And just for the record, I think Lidge sucks. Is awful. Is terrible. This is not Charlie’s fault. Nor is it his fault that the rest of the pen is injured. Nor is it his fault that every other time he sends his reliable set-up man out to close a game that he chokes on it. It is completely gutless to put this on Charlie. If he throws Brad out there in the playoffs and Brad blows a series for us, than you can put that on Charlie, but until then get the fuck off his back. His hands are tied.
I picture you enjoying a fine scotch and posting on a custom “bigmyc” leather embossed ergonomic keyboard right now. Am I right?
I also got the email that I was not selected for NLDS tickets today.
I guess its not all that bad, as winning tickets would mean that I’d actually be present when Brad Lidge eliminates us from the playoffs.
his hands are not tied. there were plenty of eligible relievers to bail lidge out last night. charlie should always have a guy warming up in the pen in the 9th. he did it before and he needed him. it has to be done every damn game.
@BigMiles – It’s not Charlie’s fault that Lidge sucks, but it’s Charlie’s fault for failing to realize that he will cost us the game at any and every opportunity, and running him out there over and over again because he’s stubborn and obsessed with his dumb old-time baseball wisdom. He gets guys warmed up in the pen and brings them in, not Amaro. If Amaro includes Lidge on the playoff roster than I’ll give him some of the blame, but right now Manuel is killing this team.
Seriously though, Bruntlett can get 3 outs off one pitch all by himself and he hasn’t blown a save this year. Let’s give him a shot.
Ok so just for the record…lets make a list of current bullpen arms we can trust:
Madson (I don’t trust him in the 9th, but whatever)
Walker
Eyre (pitching through pain)
You just cannot win ballgames consistently with those being your only three reliable bullpen arms. One of them has already blown 4 ninth inning saves, the other has a bone chip in his elbow, and the other one wasn’t even in the big leagues at the beginning of the year.
This is what I mean when I say Charlie has his hands tied. By kicking Lidge to the curb, which seems like a phenomenal idea right now, he realizes that this means these three guys have to do the rest of the work. It’s a pipe dream to think this will work. Almost as much of a pipe dream as thinking Brad Lidge will save baseball games. I’m just trying to make a point that Charlie has a bigger problem than just Lidge, and that is why the solution isn’t as easy as many of you suggest.
Here’s something for ya’ll
In the 9th inning with the bases loaded (8 plate appearances), Madson has 3 strikeouts, 1 walk, and 0 hits allowed. But no, surely he doesn’t have the head for high pressure situations!
Or hell, how about 9th inning w/ RISP:
15 PA, 5Ks, 1 BB, 1 IBB, 0 Hits allowed
look at that headcase
@BigMiles, you’re just like bigmyc except you make valid points that aren’t masked by a thin veil of psuedo-intelligence
how does unreliability lead to a headcase?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtrEN-YKLBM
Fuck it. Just throw Kendrick in there.
Phylan – stop wasting your time backing up your argument with solid proof. people here, like bigmyc, get really confused by numbers. you need to use meaningless catchphrases void of any merit, like “I like J.A. there because he knows how he should pitch.”
Phylan, I’m not at all arguing with you, but I’d be interested to know what the score was in Madson’s 9th inning situations. Were they all save possibilities?
Not exactly jessem,…but I like the direction your imagination is going in. Now, just make that scotch a small batch of bourbon (three rox) to go with a laptop in a manroom with hard wood floors and then you’d be closer.
esquire’d/
Yes, yes, Phylan…because, as everbody knows, bases loaded situations are the ONLY situations rife with pressure.
Sorry, there’s something about your posts that brings out the sarcasm in me. Perhaps it’s your penchant to oversimply your point and underappreciate those of others.
Confusion of numbers? Hmmm….ahh, here’s one. Let me apologize before hand for it’s poignancy and bottom line nature (since apparently, that kind of thinking isn’t allowed here).
Madson is 8 for 14 in save chances. That’s a worse percentage than Lidge. DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE WORDS THAT ARE COMING OUT OF MY SERVER?
This is not to say that Lidge is a better option, however.
Everyone’s posts bring out the sarcasm in you bigmyc. Lynniemac, no, they were not all save situations, but as I said the “save situation” is a bunch of crap. A 3 run lead with nobody on and 2 outs is a save situation, but you wouldn’t call that high pressure. In all except for 2 or 3 of Madson’s appearances in the 9th this season, the score was either tied or within 2-3 runs. Of course, he did a lot of great work with the score tied, but you would never know it because it doesn’t count as a save situation. And yet, I’d say the pressure is just as great if not moreso, because at least in a save situation you have a lead. Wouldn’t you?
bigmyc keep going on and on about saves because it’s the only thing you have. Saves are a crap stat, deal with it.
im not gonna go mess around with baseball reference to find my answer. soooooo. what are madson’s numbers for 9th inning save opportunities? some of those blown saves are from leads lost in the 7th and 8th. if you cant be awarded a save for the 7th or 8th then you sure as hell shouldn’t count them as blown saves in this type of conversation.
Yeah, Harry. I guess those statements about Happ’s approach to pitching don’t mean a thing. If you were remotely correct, it would mean that Happ is a diamond in the rough prospect who is lucky to still be considered for ROY, despite injuries and has no real future with this club…you know, seeing how he doesn’t know to pitch with in himself.
Phylan, those stats are all well and good. But that’s because MadDog goes with the bullet through the head approach to blowing a save as opposed to Lidge’s bleeding to death by slowly cutting your wrists. He gives up bombs. Big bombs. He might not walk people, or even let runners in scoring position, but damn does he like to hang that change up/cutter/pitch he shouldn’t be throwing over the plate. The pitches to Wright and Roberts were probably the two worst pitches thrown by Phillies players this year. But of course the runners were only on first so its not as bad (/sarcasm’d).
Just talking about all this is so fucking depressing that I can barely stand it….please get healthy Brett, JC, and Chan Ho
@ jessem – I’m with you all the way. See comments 59 and 61 allllll the way back up there. They’ve been kinda buried by egotistical arguing and pretentious douchebaginess, but they’re there.
The campaign begins here.
Bruntlett for Closer!
@bigmyc – ease off with the “thought provoking” accusations. How can you throw something out like that on a blog whose recent posts include a female crotch shot, baseball as football, and people in super-oversized-Phillies hats? Seriously? As is the case with the closer situation, I think it’s time for a reality check.
If you were anymore incorrect about your character assessments, you’d be Rush Limbaugh.
I RARELY use sarcasm.
Oh but since ya’ll care about saves so much, here’s Madson’s numbers in save situations: 3.79 ERA, 37 Ks to 10 BBs, 1.29 WHIP
I’m going with Phylan and all other Madson supporters on this one; Lidge isn’t not the one anymore, and our best chances are with Madson.
That said, has anybody considered how fucked up the save rules/stats are? Lidge gives up three runs in his last three save conversions: considered a save. But even more fucked up, Madson gets a BLOWN save for losing a lead in the eighth inning, but clearly CAN’T earn a save if he holds the lead in the eighth. Maybe we need a BLOWN HOLD category, but we are comparing apples to oranges here. IT DOESN’T MAKE SENSE.
Big MIles, your last post is a big No No. That kind of thinking is poo pooed here.
You can’t expect to come here with rational founding for your judgements based upon what your eyes and ears tell you and also expect to be taken seriously.
@JFE
thats what i was trying to get at
@ Phylan….
# of homers Madson has given up this year = 5
# of homers Madson has given up in 9th inning save situations = 3
I just refuse to believe that this is a coincidence. I understand if you don’t see it that way, but I’m telling you that the guy just hangs his offspeed stuff in some of these tight spots and it’s hard to watch.
With that being said, props to Heathcliff for trying to bring every back to Earth. We all wish Brad Lidge wasn’t terrible, but its time to move on with our lives as Phillies fans (at least until tonight’s game).
Heathcliff, do yourself a favor, bro… go ahead and install a little window in your abdomen so you can see the world around you a little better.
@BigMiles A few badly placed pitches? Is that what ya’ll are gonna hang your hat on? I thought it was MENTAL MAKEUP or whatever. Madson’s given up 5 homeruns in the 9th in 24 IP, it’s not great but it’s hardly the worst in the world.
Mand, it’s questions like yours that make me weep for the future of mankind.
I know he’s hung some of his pitches in bad spots but I don’t understand why that has something to do with THE DEADLY MYSTIQUE OF THE CLOSER ROLE and not “he fucked up” which is much simpler and more believable and, not to mention, correctable.
bigmyc, I know you like to be the #1 asshole around here, but at some point you have to realize no one is going to take any shit you say seriously if you just respond to every single one with dumbass comments like the one above.
I realize this comment will probably be followed by some shit about me now, but I hope that remark is at least enjoyable for you to create.
Phylan, I do very much agree that a tie game in the 8th inning (or a non-save, as you didn’t specify the inning) is more of a pressure situation than coming in with a three-run lead on no one on, however, I wouldn’t go so far as to say the phrase save situaion is a bunch of crap, either. I’m thankful for your answer as I was genuinely curious, and I’m doubly thankful that you answered without being insulting. That seems to be rare in this thread.
“I like J.A. there because he knows how he should pitch”
This statement makes no sense. I know how to pitch, too. As a matter of fact, I pitched competitively up untill the age of 20. Depite this, I would get rocked in the MLB. Your statement that Haap knows how to pitch is just hollow. You just watch the games on tv, you don’t know how good he really is and are just basing it off of his success this year.
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/happ-y-go-lucky
“# of homers Madson has given up this year = 5
# of homers Madson has given up in 9th inning save situations = 3″
I don’t understand the point you’re trying to make. Your claiming that Madson doesn’t pitch as well in the 9th inning, becuase he isn’t “mentally tough” enough. But, as Phylan has shown numerous times, there are other non-save situations that require more mental toughness where Madson has done extremely well. This pretty much proves your wrong. Plus, you’re on the same side as bigmyc, which is never a good thing.
Lynniemac, just for clarity I was talking about ties in the 9th.
One too many rectal exams this week, bigmyc?
Hey, if anyone here is in need of a quick laugh:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUS6nKpddec
Phylan, with a second read, I realized you were talking about the 9th – sorry for missing it the first time.
Oh and I forgot who asked but 3 of Madson’s blown saves came in the 9th
@D. Whitmore
Thanks for being the first one to mention it on this board; I wasn’t sure.
Again, there’s no reason you should be able to blow a save if you can’t earn one.
I know the point’s been made; I just want to get to 300 posts.
This is right around the stalling point of the last 300 effort.
OK well let’s not let it die yet: Chase Utley is a more valuable player than Ryan Howard. Go.
Big Miles, how did you NOT see the tongue in cheekedness about that post?
Did you NOT understand that I was giving you a compliment?
You’re welcome, twat nozzle.
Obviously Charlie is not a fan of Madson’s work in the 9th, if that was the case he would have been the closer and this post would have been avoided.
300 posts debate topic #2: bigmyc is a worse poster than Brad Lidge is a closer. go
Heathcliff, maybe this time it should be “175 comments for Lidge to turn it around”. Nah. The more I think about it, “300 for the Phillies to win the World Series” is easier and much more doable.
I think Lidge is betting on games
My point earlier about the home runs is a little weak, but my only point was that it seems really frustrating to me that 3 of the 5 home runs that Madson has given up all year have come during the relatively small amount of chances he has had to close games in the ninth. Doesn’t that just seem to stand out to anyone else? It could easily be a coincidence…I just find it incredibly frustrating when a guy who seems to be able to keep the ball in the park regularly just decides to start throwing gopher balls in the 9th. Of course I also find it maddening that Brad hits people, walks people, can’t hold runners on, and can’t put guys away with two strikes.
Hey, and there’s Slocumb just in time to piggy back one of my concepts. Great line, Heathcliff. I betcha been waiting for someone like me to come along and unleash that gem, huh?
Fightins’ blog newsflash; your next creative thought will be your first.
Also, any chance we can get Pat for a one day rental against Jeff Suppan?
Nice work, Big Miles. In your last post, you just succeeded in summarizing the entire debate that has been raging for three months and exactly 172 posts. so…uh…you felt the need to do that at post #170.
So much for Bush’s “No child left behind” program. You should sue the govt.
Lynnie, I’m with you. I think we’d be fooling ourselves to think that 175 would magically turn lidge around. 300, on the other hand, makes our boys a lock for WFC repeat – no doubt.
1.) Chase Utley IS better than Ryan Howard. I’m not backing this up with anything. It’s true and I know it is. Because I say so. And I watch games on TV, so I’m smart. So there!
2.) It’s a tough contest, but bigmyc definitely wins out in the worst poster vs. worst closer contest.
@BigMiles I agree that the pitches to Roberts and the one to Wright were awful; we’re obviously at a difference of opinion but I do think it’s coincidence, namely, I think it’s statistical noise/clustering. Even great pitchers like Hamels or Lee or Madson hang an ugly one up there now and then, some of his “I fucked up moments” just happened to occur in the ninth. When you take into account the great work he has done in high pressure situations in all other innings, including stuff like tie games in the ninth which don’t count towards save situations, it doesn’t make sense to attribute those home runs to mental whatever-you-call-it.
People take “saves” to automatically mean “pressure is on,” but that is clearly not the case – 3/2/1 run lead nobody on and 0, 1, and 2 outs are a save situation. So is a 3 run lead with a runner on first and one out, etc. Nobody would call them high pressure situations, but the vaunted CLOSERS get credit for converting those all the same. At the same time, Madson gets no credit for holding down a tie game in the 9th with runners on.
bigmyc – I know you think you’re this creative genius (ahem, trying to round-about tell me my head’s up my ass), but your head’s up your ass. Unstick it man. Unstick it soon or you’re gonna miss some fun baseball.
Phylan, your wife is just aching for a Latin salsa dancer to sweep her off her bored to tears feet, isn’t she?
I can assure you, Slocumb, I catch all the fun baseball I can. I can tell you haven’t been around the block too much…at least not the proverbial one that isn’t the block encircling the special needs school.
If you are the kind of guy that takes my novelty posts seriously, then you have much more to worry about than if I am missing out on “fun baseball.”
By the way, congratulations on figuring out that allusion about your head being up your ass..I was pulling for you, Corky.
Chase Utley is more valuable than Ryan Howard because Greg Dobbs could play first and hit like 20 homers and produce decent numbers…..whereas Eric Bruntlett could fill in for Chase and well, turn a triple play here and there.
That being said, I love Mr. September.
Here’s an interesting tidbit. Take the Nationals and Mets out of the equation and guess how many saves Madson has this year, just 1 against SD.
@jessem, that sounds like the stats that people use to tear down Jamie Moyer for pitching against bad teams…..I would add that two of those saves against the Mets came before their complete meltdown when they were still within like 2 games.
@BigMiles I absolutely agree re: Howard/Utley I just thought maybe someone would find it outrageous and spark us on the road to 300 posts
harry, you said earlier that the 9th inning is different from other innings. didnt you say earlier this year after a long debate such as this one that pitchers should ‘know how to pitch regardless of the inning’ and that the 7th, 8th and 9th are all the same? you’ll save me a lot of time if you admit it
True, but then he also blew saves to the Orioles and Pirates. He hasn’t really been put against much and even though he may be a better option that Lidge (who isn’t?) I’d rather see what else Charlie can come up with while we still have time. Anything but Lidge and I’d be willing to bet money he won’t be in tonight if the opportunity arises.
@jessem Why would you take out the Nats? They have a great hitting lineup at the top, it’s the pitching that makes them suck so bad. Are you forgetting September 8th, when Madson entered in the 9th with the bases loaded and one out against the 2 best hitters on the Nats, Ryan Zimmerman and Adam Dunn, and got a strikeout and weak groundout? No pressure there, no sir.
Well actually Phylan, according to bigmyc, there wasn’t any pressure in that situation because he didn’t put any of those guys on base and therefore he wouldn’t have been the goat if he lost. His words, not mine.
Yeah I remember that attempt at a “point” and it still blows my mind a little
Actually I really don’t want to go down that road again so let’s just forget I ever posted the above statement
fangraphs has a nice lidge article up today.
/who cares about the article. im just trying to get to 300
300 AHOY!
200 is coming. Who gets it?
I was merely highlighting that his experience, which is mediocre compared to other closers and amazing compared to Lidge, is only against a few teams.
I do remember Sept 8th and that was a really great night. I don’t buy any argument that there was no pressure. It’s about the team winning and not a specific player’s stats. Going in with bases loaded has got to be a tough situation no matter who you are.
You do make a good argument and I hope you are right.
Interesting back and forth going on
Heathcliff, thanks for your sense of humor.
193? Someone call Tug.
You betcha Lynnie!
Or 194. Whatever
Dammit!!! Hahahahahaha
i have to leave work soon. No internet at home. I will see 200 before I go, I swear on the 2008 Brad Lidge.
The Brewers sure look different than the team that took 2 of 3 from the Phils earlier in the season……Do you think Prince Fielder would have taken out half the Dodger’s roster if he had gotten in their locker room??
one more
Ha
200
YES!!!!!!! <<>>
fack
oh sugar snaps, i missed out on 200
Prince Fielder looks like he could have just farted under the door and taken out half the Dodgers’ roster.
Who’s got two thumbs and a 200 steal! This guy!
/ChasinHenderson’d
i’m in all of your houses! fear me and smell me!
How about this for a discussion: What will we see next, a 300 post fightins column or a 300 winner in baseball? Now this post is in the 190s, but a 300 post fightins column has never happened before. On the other hand, Jamie Moyer is at 258 but there is virtually no chance he will get to 300. Andy Pettite is at 228. This post has a chance to beat Andy Pettite, but it’s chances significantly weaken if something else is posted.
Despite all this, I think we can agree Brad Lidge sucks this year.
Good luck on 300 ya’ll! I will not be on the internets if and when it happens. Unless it somehow holds off til the A.M. Doubtful at this torrid pace.
I can see why Heathcliff hasn’t done much in so long
/Milton Bradley’d
i dont recycle
Keep up the good fight. Brad Lidge sucks. Chase Utley is God. Eric Bruntlett is a one man out machine. Raul Ibanez has a chew wad in he cheek. Freezy pops rock. David Wright sported the tooliest helmet ever. Shane looked great in the tooliest helmet ever. It’s Cadillac time! Oh gee, look at that dad give the foul ball to his daughter! How sweet! What a good dad! Father of the year!
Make me proud kids!
Advantage: Big O
Sometimes i like to fart in a doorway, then when someone walks in and “smelled” it, i can be there to “dealt” it.
this site better not crash from all these comments
I have an effing night class tonight that starts at 8….that means that I will get home just in time to catch the most painful part of Phils games: the last 2-3 innings
Maybe the Phillies will have a 19-run lead going into the 9th and we can all relax.
Hahahahahaha Who am I kidding? They’d find a way to make that unrelaxing.
I consider Eric Bruntlett and Paul Bako the 23rd and the 24th best players on the Phils 25 man roster. don’t include the sept. callups. I also consider Bradley as the 25th best player.
Again, this site’s comment section suffers from too many hair trigger jumpers who are long on the “hero complex” and unacceptably short on comprehension ability.
The pressure that was placed upon Madson’s shoulders when he took the ninth with the bases loaded to spell Lidge was completely mitigated by the situation itself.
I’m not gonna go into anymore than I have and if you haven’t grasped the concept by now, you never will…along with never figuring out how those crazy windmills just turn and turn all by themselves.
He was lifted, buoyed, energized and charged up at the prospect of bailing out the failing Lidge. It wasn’t an interpersonal thing between the two. It was just Madson’s chance to really make a statement and if he failed, then it wasn’t his mess to begin with. That is as simple as I can make it to you. May God have mercy on your ever living souls.
Prince Fielder looks like he could have just farted under the door and taken out half the Dodgers’ roster.
LMAO!!! +1 Jew Stars to you, Madam.
Geez, and it’s a wonder that it only takes a percieved jack-hole like me to bring out the self congratulatory back slapping chapped ass slop fest that this comment section becomes. Up with people. I’m OK, you’re OK. Koom-by-ya, fuckos.
Good, Gonzo, you survived the great blogger poker tournament, but…
…has anyone heard from Meech?
where’s bigmyc been? looking forward to what he thinks about everything.
bigmyc, just because you disagree with commenters doesnt mean they lack reading comprehension.. you just dont agree.
We are so not making it to 300 at this rate.
To quote Al Pacino as Tony Montana; “You fuck’n need me…so you can say, ‘there he isss. There’s the bad guy.’ Well, bad comin’ through.”
(takes another drink then falls down taking the nearest dinner table out while in the process).
Got a letter from the Phillies today. My postseason invoice ($810) has been returned in full. The letter reads;
“Dear Phillies Fan;
We regret to inform you that your 2009 Phillies postseason ticket payment is being returned in full. You may keep the refund, or you may contact the Phillies ticketing office and apply the payment towards your 2010 season tickets. We have decided to cancel the 2009 postseason because of the recent and likely future failings of Brad Lidge. We feel that putting Brad Lidge in front of a sold-out crowd at Citizens Bank Park would jeopardize his health and safety when he blows another save opportunity. We look forward to your support in 2010.”
bump
George Bush doesn’t care about black people.
And “buyingachampionship.com”- you aren’t funny. Never. Do. That. Again.
Here’s hoping Brad Lidge gets plenty of rest tonight…and for a while.
fuck off kanye, eat a dick
@Jay Ballz….Charlie already acted like he would throw Brad back out there if there was a save situation tonight. So don’t get your hopes up.
ibanez scratched with stomach flu
oh great, just in time for the entire team to get it for the stretch run.
doin my part to help get it to 300
@outlaw…F.U.C.K.
Who else celebrated Arthur Guinness’ birthday today?
Benny Fresh. will there be a live chat today Gonzo or anyone?
No live chat. Keep posting here and make Meech some money.
/no idea if he makes money by number of comments.
//Lynniemac, got $100 for 3rd place. Recap here: (there’s a nice nugget in there you will enjoy) http://majorleaguejerk.com/2009/09/beware-of-jerks-at-the-poker-table/
///sorry for the SSP.
@Wawa: I did. And am!
I picked the wrong post to miss.
Or the right one.
lynnie.. philosophizer.
1-0 Phils./ WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
does ryno lead the league in rbi’s now.
disclaimer: cool, its an overrated stat i get it
Yes he does, Will. And I think RBIs are properly rated. I love em.
i like rbi’s and rbi baseball for nintendo back in the day. tim raines was the man
I liked Baseball Stars where the players seemingly got pumped full of steroids throughout the season.
go phillies
paoili pike
Very clever, Mister Will.
brewers scrapping out runs, phils leaving men on base. get with it c’mooon
I still hate Hunter Pence.
Hunter Pence reminds me so much about Matt Diaz. Or Matt Diaz reminds me so much about Hunter. Either way, they can hit against us and the MLB, but they look douchey.
I am on TV blabbing with SARGE right now. God, I hate to hear myself talk.
but does matt diaz have a hot girlfriend like hunter has?
Let’s Go
Phillies
Fightins.com rules
cmon now. No cheesey posts just to bump it to 300. Let’s make it legit.
If anyone happens to come along any of Whitmore’s Wheels rants, please drop a link in here. I wanna do something with them.
sarge was talking about why the batters eye is black and not white..and i thought to myself no shiiiit.
then i realized there really are people that dont realize that
Sarge just actually explained that the “batters eye” in centerfield is not painted WHITE because then the baseball would blend in. This guy maybe smarter that I thought.
gonzo no worry about legit, if its a 1 run game and its getting close to the 9th, i think thefightins.com will explode
3-1 Phils
4-1 Phils
hey guys i set up a live chat. join me here:
http://minutemenathletics.blogspot.com/
Hey, Will H.,
Save it for the kids at Bible school…don’t you have some altar boys you can hang out with?
OUTTA HERE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
how bout jimmy taking a ride in the Cadillac
did someone just yell “Soup Kitchen” at Jeff Suppan?
lame
So Cholly announced before tonights game that it is “closer by commitee” from here on out.
bigmyc the only thing bible group wanted to talk about was your swastika tattoo
ok new LIVE GAME CHAT
http://minutemenathletics.blogspot.com/
Figures you’d wanna hang with those twisted turds..
Get over to the live chat, puntos.
You see that BARAJAS.
THAT is how you block the fucking plate. Pussy.
FUCK
great game so far
can I breathe easy now? it’s 8-2
9-2 now
live game chat
http://www.minutemenathletics.blogspot.com
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/View-from-the-Booth/Chris-Wheeler/e/9781933822228
Fuck it, run Lidge out there in the 9th
I just want to see what happens
Don’t tempt fate, Phylan. It will fuck you up.
alllllmost 300!
Is any lead safe with brad lidge, even 9-2????
Even I think Brad Lidge is a fuck up.
Hey Kanye
can they end this fuckin game already i wanna go to sleep
never mind
Win
Well at least its really over.
shaz-bagl
i want
magic # is 4
300
Just a little further…to 300!
to be
Just call me Lefty.
this is SPARTA
dammit
i waited all fucking night. shit
Man I missed live chat AND 300. I suck.
But in other news, the Phillies will totally win the World Series now.
holy shit rapid fire, damn it dave
WHOS DAVE
Epic fail on all our parts.
Oh, and I’m glad someone went with the Sparta reference. Nice one, will.
I can’t believe I missed the 300th! SHIT COCK BALLS! At least we won….and yes Lynnie is right, we have all done a good deed here that will lead to the repeat championship
Where’s the game recap?
lynnie ive been waiting a long.. long time.
maybe it was 400 spartans..
@will.H…I am Dave, don’t question who I am. I am number 300! The Phillies won tonight, and I got slipped in to get post 300. Plus, I’m drunk.
caa-caain?
the length of this post is quite impressive. as is t-mac’s uncanny ability to jinx the phils in every streak they have going (individually or collectively).
will, had fortune smiled on me and I had gotten the privilege of #300, I’d have done the same.
I feel like I ruined everyone’s night, but I’m not quite sure if it upsets me or not. Oh well, onward to 400.
Tyler Walker is not closer material.
Clay Condrey is not closer material.
Who is closer material?
Cliff Lee. He closes half of the games he starts on his own. Why can’t he close the games started by the other guys in the rotation?
Booyeah.
Dave, I didn’t care who got it as long as someone got it. The World Series is riding on it, after all.
Mike P, I’m sure someone will come along to tell you exactly why Cliff Lee can’t do as you suggest. And they will undoubtedly do it as abrasively as possible.
word!
F’ You, Mike P. That is a stupid idea. Go bury your head in the Cape May sand at low tide then wait six hours.
P.S. you’ll never catch me.
damn it. i got drunk and fell asleep. bigmyc, you are a gigantic pussy. what do you have to say about that?
/just trying to get to 400
I must say folks, I’m impressed. That was a beautiful feat.
Now, can 400 actually happen? There’s some new post competition now. Less than 80 to go. I’m all in.
David Whitmore, that is a hell of thing to say to me.
But wait – if 300 comments means the Phillies win the World Series, what does 400 comments mean? Chase Utley coins a phrase even cooler than World Fucking Champions?
sorry guys. no repeat this year.
however, its guaranteed for 2010! mr. lidge is going for another mlb comeback player of the year title!
The obvious cure for brad is a phiten titanium necklace
not just a regular phiten but one of the twisted ones that looks like a hemp necklace. then you can fit in at dave matthews concerts
Maybe one of those nice phiten sleeves would be good, too. Hell, slap the whole damn product line on him.
Is there a phiten testicle ring? That’s what Brad really needs
Bravo, sir.
bravo
Keep it up folks. This will eventually get to 400….even if it takes til Spring Training next year.
400 here we come
there isn’t really that much pressure in getting this thread to 400 since we have tried in other threads to get the post count high. so all in all, if we fail its really no big deal. not a pressure situation
Haha. 400 isn’t even a useful post count.
Pressure, David, is in the eye of the beholder…
One man’s ceiling is another man’s floor…
Let he who is without sin cast the first stone…
Do unto others as you’d have them do unto you..
Eat shit and die…
look at bigmyc with all the bible one liners. see you sunday night, fucking sinner
@bigmyc
You sit there and you thump your bible, and you say your prayers, and it didn’t get you anywhere. Talk about your psalms, talk about John 3:16 … Austin 3:16 says I just whipped your ass.
thats the only bible quote i know
im hungry
There should be a detective show called “Johnny Monkey,” because every week you could have a guy say
“I ain’t gonna get caught by no MONKEY,”
but then he would,
and I don’t think I’d ever get tired of that.
400 please
one day, D.
What’s the # for the most comments here on The Fightins?
Just doing my part.
Where’s the Brad Lidge Wikipedia vandalism? I’m disappointed.
we want 400!
DAMNIT SHANE!
Brad sux.
350
i thought this was going to 400 for sure
352
Wow. This thing still has more steam than I thought. I figured it was flatlined right around 326. 47 more comments is sooooo possible. All we have to do is talk about how much Brad Lidge has sucked and how much better Ryan Madson is. Or whatever. There’s a million things to talk about out there.
The party train to 400 is still chuggin’ !
We could talk about how the Astros starters have been less than stellar, but that those are usually the pitchers the Phillies make look like Cy Young.
Stick a fork in me, I’m done.
Not one of you fuckin’ morons is half as good as me!!
Fuck all y’all!!!
As I was saying… one lousy hit through five?!?
slackers
Hey, I tried. Not my fault we may fall 41 short.
We’ll get there yet.
You’re a good man, Beard.
A gentleman and a scholar.
the amount of shit bloop hits that have been falling in against the team recently is rediculous
That doesn’t sound like something Wheels would say?
What happened here?
since madson had a 2 inning save last night, does that mean lidge gets clincher duties?
NL EAST CHAMPS!!
WFCs v2, here we come. Day game, night game, game in the rain, game in the snow. who cares.
Phuck em all.