Sequels are hardly ever as good as the original. The epic run for Phillies last year was life changing for this fan of 29 years who has never seen a World Championship in Philadelphia. All that changed as the Phillies beat Rays as Brad Lidge closed out the win in the World Series, and I no longer felt like a loser anymore because now my city is a winner.
The run this year to the playoffs was good, not great, especially for Phillies closer Brad Lidge. He was not "Lights-Out." He was not perfect in 41 saves as he was last year. He blown many saves in the regular season and it looked as if ghosts of Albert Pujols past were coming back to haunt once again. The homerun that Pujols hit in the NLCS back in 2006 off of Lidge is still orbiting space.
Should Manager Charlie Manuel remove this Closer for the playoff run?
Would Brad be "Lights-Out" once again?
Could Lidge face his demons?
Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Charlie Manuel has faith. Faith despite what tough Philadelphia Media couldn't see. Charlie was certain that Lidge could rise from the ashes of over 10 blown saves during the regular season. Charlie has hope that Lidge could prove the "Philly-Faithful" wrong and closeout the series against Colorado in "Lights-Out" fashion.
Charlie saw what many of us could not see.
The Philadelphia Phillies, nicked-named the "Fightin's" clawed back with clutch hitting from Utley, Howard, and Werth in the final inning to erase a two run deficit. The game, and possibly the Phillies playoff hopes were riding on the arm of Brad Lidge. Could he seal the deal, and have the team leave the snow for the sun, as they pack their bags for a rematch against LA in the NLCS?
Lidge came through and got the save, because his manager had faith.
May we have the courage to prove our critics wrong.
May we all have faith in what we cannot see.
May we all be true believers.
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