Astros’ All-Time Best Seasons: Closing Pitchers

Yeah. Despite that devastating home run that Brad Lidge yielded to Albert Pujols, he still had one of the greatest years in Astros’ history.

Brad Lidge (Credit: Lisa Blumenfield)

2005 was one of two all-star seasons for Lidge. The other came in 2008 as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies bullpen. In 2005 Lidge had these statistics:

• 2.29 ERA
• 2.13 FIP
• 1.146 WHIP
• 42 saves/46 opportunities (91.3%)
• 65 games finished
• 70 2/3 innings pitched
• 5 home runs allowed (0.6 HR/9)
• 103 strikeouts to 23 walks (4.48 K/BB)

That performance came on the heels of a season in which Lidge established himself as a big league closer with 29 saves. His ERA in 2004 was an impressive 1.90 in 94 2/3 innings. The season before that Brad had been voted 5th in the rookie-of-the-year process.

Brad has now officially retired from baseball with 603 1/3 innings pitched. He compiled a 26-32 record with a 3.54 ERA and 225 saves throughout his 11 seasons at the big league level.

Next: 2008: Jose Valverde