User:GhostRiver/brad

Draft and minor leagues (1998–2002)
The Houston Astros of Major League Baseball (MLB) selected Lidge in the first round, 17th overall, of the 1998 MLB Draft. Houston had gained the draft pick that they used on Lidge as compensation for losing free agent Darryl Kile to the Colorado Rockies. On July 1, he inked a deal with the team for a signing bonus of $1.07 million. Lidge made his professional baseball debut on July 11, 1998, earning a no decision for the Class A Quad Cities River Bandits in a 6-5 Midwest League loss to the Fort Wayne Wizards. Lidge pitched only the first two innings of the game, as the Bandits wanted to limit his pitch count, but his velocity in those 43 pitches impressed his coaches. His time in Quad Cities was limited by a recurring elbow injury that required Lidge to be shut down three separate times in a span of less than two months. He made four starts for the River Bandits in 1998, posting a 0-1 record and a 3.27 ERA while striking out six batters in 11 innings.

Lidge was assigned to the Class A-Advanced Kissimmee Cobras of the Florida State League for the 1999 season, but began the year on the disabled list with an elbow injury.


 * 1999
 * 2000
 * 2001

2008
On November 7, 2007, the Astros traded Lidge and infielder Eric Bruntlett to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for outfielder Michael Bourn, right-handed pitcher Geoff Geary, and third base prospect Mike Costanzo. It was the first major trade of the MLB postseason general manages' meetings. Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr., who referred to the pitching market as "a little scary", acquired Lidge in order to free Brett Myers from closing and move him back into the starting rotation. Lidge required an additional arthroscopic knee surgery that February after tripping on the mound during a preseason batting practice. As the surgery was recommended at the end of February, with an estimated recovery time of three to six weeks, and the Phillies were set to open the 2008 MLB season on March 31, manager Charlie Manuel tapped setup man Tom Gordon to close in case Lidge was not ready to join the team by opening day.

2009
Following his perfect season, Lidge still saw room for improvement in his pitching technique, and he entered 2009 with the intention of enhancing his fastball speed and increasing his arm strength.

2010
Two offseason surgeries put it in question whether or not Lidge would be able to start the 2010 season with the Phillies. In November 2009, he underwent surgery on the elbow of his throwing arm, and in January, loose bodies were removed from his right knee. While he was expected to be able to resume throwing 10 days after the knee surgery, Phillies trainer Scott Sheridan told reporters that he was unsure when Lidge would be able to pitch in a game setting. Lidge began the season with a rehab assignment for the Class A Clearwater Threshers on April 10. After five appearances there, during which he allowed five runs in $4 2/3$ innings, he was promoted to the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs. Lidge was able to right himself in Lehigh and with the Double-A Reading Fightin' Phils, pitching seven scoreless innings in his last six appearances before declaring himself healthy and ready to return to the Phillies in April 29.

Personal life
Lidge's cousin Ryan, a catcher and a fellow Notre Dame alumnus, was selected by the New York Yankees in the 20th round of the 2017 MLB Draft.