Brad Lidge Shocks the World
According to reliever Brad Lidge, who is now with the Nationals, on his new team:
Probably the most talented team I’ve ever been on, and I’ve been on some great teams.
FYI, Lidge last played for the Phillies, whose personnel included Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Chase Utley, and Ryan Howard (among others). Prior to his stint in Philadelphia, Lidge was in Houston, where his teammates included the likes of Craig Biggio, Jeff Bagwell, Jeff Kent, Lance Berkman, Roy Oswalt in his prime, Billy Wagner, Roger Clemens, and Andy Pettitte.
But this 2012 Washington Nationals team is — in his opinion — the “most talented” he’s ever been on.
Hey, maybe it is. Perhaps the Nats will fulfill that opinion with their performance on the field this year or next — we’ll see.
What do you think? Is Lidge off his rocker, or does he have a solid argument to back up those words? Sound off in the comments.
– Davey Johnson is the architect and manager of this team.
– Davey Johnson is a disciple of Frank Cashen and participated in forming and managing the NY Met juggernaut of the 1980’s.
– Davey Johnson was using stat sheets and computer analysis in 1983 while managing the Tidewater Tides.
– When the NY Mets promoted Davey Johnson to manage the NY Mets ML club, he called it “a very smart decision.”
– In 1969, Joe Torre made the last out (a double-play grounder) to allow the Mets to clinch the NL East.
– In 1969, Davey Johnson flied to Cleon Jones in deep left as the final out in the World Series.
Okay, okay, the last 2 points have nothing to do with anything other than a coincidinky metaphysical conceit, but – heck – it’s spring training…
Given the Nats wellspring of talent and the man at the helm, I think Brad Lidge has a valid basis for his comment. Put it this way, I am much more concerned about the Nats than I am about the Marlins.
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In a separate & unrelated topic, I hope that Met fans predominate the Wilpon-Picard jury pool. They’ll know what to do! 😀
But in terms of total talent on the 25-man roster, there’s no way they compare to the biggest payroll teams of Lidge’s career.