that drug study I mentioned I checked into yesterday...http://www.madjacksports.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=56003.....
turns out I was a "backup" and not used. but I get preferencial slot for next one (it's usually first come, first serve there).
so I guess keep my little bankroll going grinding out enuf straight up winners, while learning more, to finance the hope for the killer parlay to jump the bankroll up.
this from sportsnetwork preview:
Brad Lidge gets the call this evening for the Astros. Lidge, Houston's first- round pick in 1998, is taking the place of Carlos Hernandez, who was scratched with a sore shoulder and may miss the remainder of the season.
After starring collegiately at Notre Dame, Lidge was the 17th overall pick in the '98 selection process. He opened the current season at Double-A Round Rock and was promoted to the next level after going 1-1 with a 2.45 ERA. While with Triple-A New Orleans, the 6-foot-5 righthander went 5-5 with a 3.39 earned run average in 24 appearances -- 19 starts.
This will be the 25-year-old hurler's first career start. He has appeared in five games to date, surrendering six runs on 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings. Lidge has walked seven and struck out eight.
09/17/2002 7:34 pm ET
MLBeat: Lidge looking to finish
By Scott Merkin / Special to MLB.com
MILWAUKEE -- Brad Lidge isn't particularly superstitious and doesn't carry any lucky charms to reinforce that point.
But the Houston Astros' 25-year-old right-handed hurler still paused to knock on his wood locker at Miller Park prior to Tuesday's game when talking about making it through the 2002 season injury free.
His first three seasons in the minor leagues were each cut short by trips to the disabled list due to elbow and shoulder problems.
"I don't want to jinx myself," said the 6-foot-5-inch Lidge with a smile. "There's still two weeks left in the season."
In 2000, Lidge took a line drive off his right wrist while pitching for Kissimmee, breaking the ulna bone and needing a metal plate inserted to correct the problem. It happened just three games after he had come off of the disabled list for elbow tendinitis.
But Lidge posted solid numbers at Double-A Round Rock and Triple-A New Orleans, before being recalled by Houston on September 1. He's 1-0 with a 9.53 earned run average in five games, allowing 10 hits and seven walks in just 5 2/3 innings, but his potential has earned Lidge his first start Wednesday night against Glendon Rusch.
Carlos Hernandez, the left-hander with a 7-5 record and 4.38 ERA, was scratched due to problems with his pitching shoulder.
"I don't know exactly what to call it," said Houston manager Jimy Williams of Hernandez's troubles. "All I know is we have 12 games left this season, he can't pitch and I'm not sure if we will have him back."
Lidge played collegiately at Notre Dame from 1996 to 1998 and has plenty of relatives living in Chicago. A large group plans to make the trip to Milwaukee.
Having friends and family in the stands or the Astros' continued fight for survival in the National League Central won't put any undue pressure on Lidge. He's already completed his ultimate goal -- pitching an uninterrupted season.
"I hope it all goes smoothly," said Lidge, who throws a fastball in the mid-90s and a slider. "But this has been a great year, no matter what happens, because I've stayed healthy.
"I'm just trying to give the team quality innings. This start is just icing on the cake."
Lidge was the Astros' first pick in the 1998 First-Year Player Draft. (M. David Leeds/Getty Images)
from JOSE DE JESUS ORTIZ at Houston Chronicle:
Lidge reunion
Rookie righthander Brad Lidge, the Astros' first-round pick out of Notre Dame in 1998, will have plenty of family support tonight when he makes his first major-league start against the Brewers. But his mother, Deborah, who can't make the trip because of medical concerns, will be on his mind.
Lidge's father, Ralph, will fly in from Colorado. His grandparents Ralph Sr. and Jackie Lidge, will drive from their home in Chicago with 14 more relatives from the Chicago area. Lidge's wife, Lindsay, also is flying in from Houston.
Lidge's mother has been fighting vertigo for the last two months and cannot ride an airplane because of leakage in her brain.
"I think she'd just like me to throw well," said Lidge, who got the start because rookie lefthander Carlos Hernandez was scratched with shoulder tenderness. "She's just happy this is happening and that she'll be listening on the radio. She just told me, `Don't even think about me.' She's a tough lady and wants me to go out and have success."
Lidge, who has avoided injuries this season for the first time as a professional, hasn't started since Aug. 28 at New Orleans. Although he has made only three relief appearances since being recalled to the majors Sept. 1, he expects to be able to last at least 100 pitches.
"I threw about 95 to 100 pitches in each of my last five, six starts," he said. "I don't see why I couldn't go 100 pitches or whatever they want."
turns out I was a "backup" and not used. but I get preferencial slot for next one (it's usually first come, first serve there).
so I guess keep my little bankroll going grinding out enuf straight up winners, while learning more, to finance the hope for the killer parlay to jump the bankroll up.
this from sportsnetwork preview:
Brad Lidge gets the call this evening for the Astros. Lidge, Houston's first- round pick in 1998, is taking the place of Carlos Hernandez, who was scratched with a sore shoulder and may miss the remainder of the season.
After starring collegiately at Notre Dame, Lidge was the 17th overall pick in the '98 selection process. He opened the current season at Double-A Round Rock and was promoted to the next level after going 1-1 with a 2.45 ERA. While with Triple-A New Orleans, the 6-foot-5 righthander went 5-5 with a 3.39 earned run average in 24 appearances -- 19 starts.
This will be the 25-year-old hurler's first career start. He has appeared in five games to date, surrendering six runs on 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings. Lidge has walked seven and struck out eight.
09/17/2002 7:34 pm ET
MLBeat: Lidge looking to finish
By Scott Merkin / Special to MLB.com
MILWAUKEE -- Brad Lidge isn't particularly superstitious and doesn't carry any lucky charms to reinforce that point.
But the Houston Astros' 25-year-old right-handed hurler still paused to knock on his wood locker at Miller Park prior to Tuesday's game when talking about making it through the 2002 season injury free.
His first three seasons in the minor leagues were each cut short by trips to the disabled list due to elbow and shoulder problems.
"I don't want to jinx myself," said the 6-foot-5-inch Lidge with a smile. "There's still two weeks left in the season."
In 2000, Lidge took a line drive off his right wrist while pitching for Kissimmee, breaking the ulna bone and needing a metal plate inserted to correct the problem. It happened just three games after he had come off of the disabled list for elbow tendinitis.
But Lidge posted solid numbers at Double-A Round Rock and Triple-A New Orleans, before being recalled by Houston on September 1. He's 1-0 with a 9.53 earned run average in five games, allowing 10 hits and seven walks in just 5 2/3 innings, but his potential has earned Lidge his first start Wednesday night against Glendon Rusch.
Carlos Hernandez, the left-hander with a 7-5 record and 4.38 ERA, was scratched due to problems with his pitching shoulder.
"I don't know exactly what to call it," said Houston manager Jimy Williams of Hernandez's troubles. "All I know is we have 12 games left this season, he can't pitch and I'm not sure if we will have him back."
Lidge played collegiately at Notre Dame from 1996 to 1998 and has plenty of relatives living in Chicago. A large group plans to make the trip to Milwaukee.
Having friends and family in the stands or the Astros' continued fight for survival in the National League Central won't put any undue pressure on Lidge. He's already completed his ultimate goal -- pitching an uninterrupted season.
"I hope it all goes smoothly," said Lidge, who throws a fastball in the mid-90s and a slider. "But this has been a great year, no matter what happens, because I've stayed healthy.
"I'm just trying to give the team quality innings. This start is just icing on the cake."
Lidge was the Astros' first pick in the 1998 First-Year Player Draft. (M. David Leeds/Getty Images)
from JOSE DE JESUS ORTIZ at Houston Chronicle:
Lidge reunion
Rookie righthander Brad Lidge, the Astros' first-round pick out of Notre Dame in 1998, will have plenty of family support tonight when he makes his first major-league start against the Brewers. But his mother, Deborah, who can't make the trip because of medical concerns, will be on his mind.
Lidge's father, Ralph, will fly in from Colorado. His grandparents Ralph Sr. and Jackie Lidge, will drive from their home in Chicago with 14 more relatives from the Chicago area. Lidge's wife, Lindsay, also is flying in from Houston.
Lidge's mother has been fighting vertigo for the last two months and cannot ride an airplane because of leakage in her brain.
"I think she'd just like me to throw well," said Lidge, who got the start because rookie lefthander Carlos Hernandez was scratched with shoulder tenderness. "She's just happy this is happening and that she'll be listening on the radio. She just told me, `Don't even think about me.' She's a tough lady and wants me to go out and have success."
Lidge, who has avoided injuries this season for the first time as a professional, hasn't started since Aug. 28 at New Orleans. Although he has made only three relief appearances since being recalled to the majors Sept. 1, he expects to be able to last at least 100 pitches.
"I threw about 95 to 100 pitches in each of my last five, six starts," he said. "I don't see why I couldn't go 100 pitches or whatever they want."
