Phillies Baseball

Major League baseball announced on Tuesday that Phillies closer Brad Lidge has been named the 2008 National League Comeback Player of the Year.

Lidge finished the season 41 for 41 in saves, with the most important one coming on September 27 against the Washington Nationals. It was his 41st save of the season and it clinched the National League East title for the second straight season for the Phillies.

Lidge finished the 2008 regular season with a 2-0 record and a 1.95 ERA in 72 games. He tallied 92 strikeouts in 69.1 innings pitched.

The Phillies acquired Lidge along with infielder/outfielder Eric Bruntlett from the Houston Astros in the offseason for pitcher Geoff Geary, outfielder Michael Bourn and minor leaguer Mike Costanzo.

The trade will likely go down as one of the best in Pat Gillick’s storied career as a baseball executive and the best in 2008 for the Phillies. Without Lidge, the Phillies would have had to turn to either converted starter and hot head Brett Myers or the oft-injured Tom Gordon to close out games.

Myers was shipped to the minors mid-season to straighten out his mental problems, known as relearning how to be a starter, and Gordon was put on the shelf midway through the season and will more than likely require Tommy John Surgery.

So congratulations to Phillies closer Brad Lidge for earning the 2008 National League Comeback Player of the Year Award for 2008. He was the only NL closer to finish perfect in saves (100%).

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