Post by Fish Troll on Apr 12, 2007 21:02:58 GMT -5
Although he has been demoted from closer to a setup role, Astros reliever Brad Lidge says he believes he can still lose just as much to team in the middle innings as he can in the ninth inning.
“I’m going to keep going out there, and doing what I do – throwing the ball as hard as I can hanging right in the middle of the plate only to get smash,” said Lidge. “Whether that’s in the sixth, seventh, eighth or ninth inning, it’s no matter. It’s a guaranteed home run.”
Even though he is disappointed to lose his closer’s role, Lidge admits he may serve the team better as a setup man.
“Seeing me come in for the seventh or eighth inning will be motivating for the team,” said Lidge. “They’ll know that they still have one or two at-bats to come back from the deficit I put them in. Whereas when I gave up walkoff homers as a closer, they never had a chance to come back. Having me available at any point in the game will ensure the team never gets lackadaisical.”
*whistle*
“I’m going to keep going out there, and doing what I do – throwing the ball as hard as I can hanging right in the middle of the plate only to get smash,” said Lidge. “Whether that’s in the sixth, seventh, eighth or ninth inning, it’s no matter. It’s a guaranteed home run.”
Even though he is disappointed to lose his closer’s role, Lidge admits he may serve the team better as a setup man.
“Seeing me come in for the seventh or eighth inning will be motivating for the team,” said Lidge. “They’ll know that they still have one or two at-bats to come back from the deficit I put them in. Whereas when I gave up walkoff homers as a closer, they never had a chance to come back. Having me available at any point in the game will ensure the team never gets lackadaisical.”
*whistle*
