When I heard the interview, he was candid about it but very, very, very reasonable and understanding of the job Phil Garner has to do to win ballgames. He knows he needs to work on some things and Garner told him what he'd like to see from him during this *period* of time.
One thing that Lidge had to continue to correct the bozo twins (Davies and Dukes) was on this little flaw of fact that they kept bringing up:
(Dukes): "Now that you're no longer the closer..."
(Lidge): "Ah, here is the thing, people keep saying this as if it is permanent and it is not..."
later....
(Davies): "Will you ask for a trade now that you're not the closer..."
(Lidge): "Again, who said that this was a permanent thing? Phil and I certainly never talked about a permanent demotion and he's told everyone the same thing, yet.... I mean, it's not that way at all..."
later...
(Davies): "If Tim Purpura were to come to you and say "I've got a trade in the works and I think it can help you get back to being a closer for someone else and help out team too", would you agree to that deal?"
(Lidge): "Ah, that is not the way it works. First of all, I want to be a Houston Astro for the rest of my career. I love pitching in Houston. Next, I can't make decisions on my career until another two years when I'm a free agent. Until then, the Houston Astros don't need my permission and I would understand if they decide they're doing something for the betterment of the team. I would never go demand a trade if that is what you're asking. And lastly, again, I did not lose the closer job per se, it's only a temporary adjustment to get some work to do some things that Garner wants to see from me *before* he hands me back the job."
(Davies): "But what if Wheeler is doing the job well and you're doing what Garner asked of you, do you still get the job back?"
(Lidge): "As long as we are winning... (see previous statement). Dan Wheeler is a capable guy and has proven he can do the job for the last two years. If we're winning, I'm not going to complain."
later...
(Dukes): "People claim that you're such a nice guy, that is what makes you a bad choice for closer..."
(Lidge): "People weren't complaining about me being nice when I was doing the job well, why should they think that is the problem now?"
(Duke): "*chuckle, chuckle* *snort*... riiiight"
(Lidge): "It's about making some adjustments, not about changing my character."
