Perfect night for Phillies to honor closer Brad Lidge

IT WAS ONLY fitting that legendary Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas made the call during the most memorable moment of Brad Lidge's career.

"Brad Lidge stretches. The 0-2 pitch . . . swing and a miss! Struck him out! The Philadelphia Phillies are 2008 world champions of baseball!"

It was the final pitch of the World Series and the final pitch of a perfect season for Phillies closer Brad Lidge. Now almost 5 years later, "Lights out Lidge" will return to Citizens Bank Park before tonight's game against the Giants to officially call it a career.

Lidge spent six seasons with the Astros before joining the Phillies via trade before the 2008 season. Following four seasons with the Phillies, Lidge joined the Nationals in 2012, but his memories with the Phillies were some of the best of his 11-year career, which is why he chose to retire here.

"First and foremost, we accomplished the dream in Philly," Lidge said from his home in Colorado. "I really think the organization is first class, they always treated my family well and I really valued my time there; every single day was a pleasure. I had a bad 2009 season, but I loved coming to the ballpark every day. I always had nothing but good memories there and although I had good memories in Houston as well, you can't duplicate the passion Philly fans have anywhere else and passion they had for me during my time there."

It was an easy choice for Lidge when asked what he remembered most about his time in Philadelphia.

"If I have to go with an individual moment it would definitely have to be being on bottom of that pile and being World Series champs," Lidge said. "Before the final pitch, I knew we were going to throw a slider. Carlos [Ruiz] and I were on the same page all season. It was pretty loud and I was just trying to block everything and focus for one more pitch. I set my grip on the ball and knew it was going to be a good one. When [Eric Hinske] swung and missed, I think I jumped up and went down and was overtaken saying, 'Oh my God, we just won the World Series.' "

Lidge went on to finish the 2008 season with a 2-0 record while converting each of his 41 save opportunities and adding a 1.95 ERA. In addition to his microscopic 0.3 HR/9, Lidge finished the season fourth in the NL Cy Young voting. Lidge also converted all seven save opportunities in the postseason.

Although Lidge had some strong seasons in Houston, he credits much of his success in his first Phillies season to Ruiz and Chris Coste. The two catchers worked on using Lidge's slider exclusively, and it quickly became his out pitch with two strikes in the count.

"I have some good memories with Brad," Ruiz said. "I remember using his slider a lot and it was very effective for him. It was great to have him here because he was a good teammate and a good leader. Winning the World Series was a great feeling, and I think it was really special for him, for myself and the whole city. It was great that we were able to do that and I am happy for Brad and I'm looking forward to seeing him on Thursday."

Entering 2009, it would have been nearly impossible for Lidge to match the success that he had in 2008. Lidge struggled following his perfect season, posting a 0-8 record with a 7.21 ERA in 67 games. Despite it, Lidge never felt the wrath from the fans and worked hard to rebound in 2010.

"It took him a while, but he hung with it and although it took him a while, he was pitching very good for us," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "We went through a stretch where we were having some problems with him, but we stuck with him, he stuck with us and he was very good for us. He came back and he showed us that he could still do it at a high level."

Lidge rebounded from a poor season with a 1-1 record and a 2.96 ERA in 2010. In addition to 27 saves, Lidge recorded 52 strikeouts in 45 2/3 innings. While he was not perfect like 2008, Lidge was able to regain his confidence and was happy to perform well in front of the Phillies faithful.

Lidge said being perfect was never a goal. He said he was happier to have won a World Series in 2008 than becoming the first pitcher to accomplish a perfect season since Los Angeles Dodgers closer Eric Gagne did so in 2003.

"I didn't really ever think about being perfect, especially when I was going through it," Lidge said. "I wanted to come to Philly and help a team that was already playoff-caliber. I just wanted to come in and have a really good season and the success kept snowballing. I did my best to not think about it and I always thought at any time if I blew a save, it wouldn't be a big deal as I would make sure I went back to do it the next day."

In addition to his abilities on the field, Lidge will be remembered for being a great teammate and a person.

"He was very good, he was a stand-up guy, loved to pitch and would always take the ball no matter what," Manuel said. "He had some bad days and some bad stretches, but he would always be there for you."

They say that nobody is perfect, but in 2008, Brad Lidge was. Tonight, he will have the opportunity to share with his family a perfect ending to his 11-year career.

"I think being out on the field and seeing my teammates in Philly again - the guys that are still there from that 2008 season - will stand out the most for me," Lidge said. "Having my wife and kids there, along with mom and dad will allow me to appreciate it even more. I think it will be rewarding for everybody and it will be incredible for me to be out on the field one more time."