BLOG: Welcome Back, Brad

Blog By Joseph Santoliquito

To meet Brad Lidge, you're open to wonder how he keeps his insides from being a jumbled mess. You see the welcoming smile and sense a Midwestern stoicism that screams tacitly "I can take anything." And it makes you think what it must have been like to be in his skin the first few months of this season when the hail of accusations came flying, and how he still maintained an even demeanor? You question his buoyancy through the many daunting ups and downs, when staying positive wasn't so easy considering everyone wanted his head on a platter then. But the Phillies closer reminds you that he's been through it all before--the doubts, the criticism, the catcalls from the bleachers screaming that he's done. He says it in an even, reflective way that makes you believe.

Then Lidge reminds you that it's just baseball. He remains steadfast that his belief in himself never wavers, despite the boos and hollering that he's gone through. He reminds you that his family and faith got him through. That the hasty words and white noise just glance off him. Phillies fans should be thankful that Lidge remained impervious. Because the old Brad Lidge is back--and it's a major reason why the Phillies could win their second World Series championship in three years.

Lidge picked up his 25th save of the season Tuesday night in the Phils' 5-3 victory over Atlanta, which has all since faded from the feared team that the Braves were in July and August. That nasty slider has again returned, confounding batters, and stirring the blizzard of white towels that torment each team that visits Citizens Bank Park. Lidge's numbers are glowing: A 1.23 ERA in September, after posting a 0.73 ERA in August. He's combined to notch 15 saves in August and September alone. Going into Tuesday night's game against Atlanta, Lidge was 15-for-16 in save chances, with a 0.87 ERA since August 1.

He's once again "Lights Out." He preserved Roy Halladay's 20th victory, enabling Halladay to become the Phillies' first 20-game winner since Steve "Lefty" Carlton in 1982 and first Phils' righthander to win 20 since Hall of Famer Robin Roberts since 1955.

Any doubts now that the vintage Lidge is back?

"I've actually always been 'Lights Out,' if you want to know the truth," Lidge says. "Yes, sometimes you hear the calls and people getting after you about something, but one thing I like about Philadelphia is that if you're good and play to your potential, they love you. They loved me in '08 and for obvious reasons weren't too crazy about me in '09. But I think I'm back in their good graces again."

So good that the Phillies still have an outside chance to notching 100 victories this season, after going a season-high 30 games over .500, with a 91-61 mark.  A few months back none of this seemed possible.

On July 21, the Phils were struggling at 48-46, holding down third place in the National League East, sitting 7 games behind the Atlanta Braves. Now the Phils have gone 21-4 over their last 25 and more importantly 43-15 since they stood just two games over .500 in late July.

"I think the thing about this team is that it never stops believing in itself, and that's an attitude that's contagious," Lidge said. "I'm human. There times you question yourself, 'Did I throw the right pitch, how do I get this out.' But knowing the kind of support you have, and knowing your teammates won't give up on you gives that added incentive. I've always just tried to keep an even attitude. Not too high, not too low. Just right. I think that's the way this whole team is."

"We all have a taste of what postseason baseball is like in this clubhouse. I know with the playoffs coming up I'm going to be relied on even more."

And when he does come out of the bullpen there will be no more eyes cowering in fear of what will happen. Now they know something good is about to happen. All because Brad Lidge is back. But the ironclad character--that's always been there.