Brad Lidge Set To Retire

Jayson Stark of ESPN.com reported yesterday (via Twitter) that Brad Lidge will officially hang up the cleats and call it quits after 11 seasons. Lidge is currently a free agent.

Perhaps the most memorable image of Brad Lidge’s career is Lidge dropping to his knees to embrace battery mate

after recording the final out of the 2008 World SEries.Mandatory Credit: Bill Kostroun/Reuters

Lidge spent the 2012 campaign as a member of the Nationals, where he posted an unimpressive 0-1 record with a 9.64 ERA and 2 saves in 9.1 innings pitched. Lidge had originally joined the Nats on a 1-year, $1-million pact during the offseason, and was ultimately released on June 25 due to poor performance.

Lidge was far more impressive in his career as a member of the Astros and Phillies. Originally drafted by Houston in the 17th round of the 1998 draft, Lidge posted All-Star campaigns as a member of both the Astros as well as the Phillies and also finished fifth in NL Rookie of the Year voting in 2003. Lidge cracked the top 10 list in NL Cy Young Award voting in 2004 (8th) and 2008 (4th) and also won a World Series in 2008 as a member of the Phillies, recording the final out to bring the City of Brotherly Love their first World Championship in 28 years.

For his career, Lidge posted a 26-32 record with a 3.54 ERA in 603.1 innings over 603 games. Along with his respectable numbers, Lidge will also be remembered for always carrying himself with class and being an outstanding individual.