MIAMI — Brad Lidge’s schedule was finally free of commitments to his children’s sports teams so he flew to Miami on Friday, put on a Phillies uniform and went to work.
Phillies general manager Matt Klentak and manager Gabe Kapler asked the closer of the 2008 world champions to join the Phillies as a guest instructor for the final series before the all-star break. The youngest team in baseball has made a surprising run to first place. They will play meaningful games in the second half for the first time in six years. And who better than Lidge to prepare the relievers for the grind that awaits?