Brad Lidge Speaks to On Pattison About Newest Project

Today we celebrate an historic Flyers shutout win in Beantown and discuss how impotent the NBA’s disciplinary system really is, especially for franchises who sit superstars.

But first we’ll reminisce over happier days with Brad “Lights Out” Lidge.

In the email today:

• ⚾ Brad Lidge Speaks to On Pattison About Newest Project

• 💵 Sixers Fined Paltry $100K by NBA Over Embiid Absences

• 😠 John Tortorella Seemingly Wills Flyers to Win in Boston

  • 📆 This Day in Philly Sports History

  • 📊 Poll

  • 🔗 Links

  • 📺 Coming Up

Phillies fans’ memories of the 2008 World Series are now old enough to drive.

Tuesday marked the 16th anniversary of Brad Lidge striking out Eric Hinske to bring the Phils their second title in franchise history. It also marked an opportune moment for On Pattison to talk to Lidge about his latest project: a collaboration with Philadelphia-based artist Jordan Spector.

New “Jordan Spector x Brad Lidge 'Lights Out' Immortals" collectibles, according to Spector’s website, “offer a refined perspective on remarkable individuals who have undeniably shaped our sports world." The cards "celebrate a legacy that transcends time, a career that remains unforgettable."

Spector has previously worked with professional athletes such as Brian Dawkins and Bryce Harper, and companies in the sports industry such as Fanatics and the Eagles.

Lidge and Spector linked up through a mutual friend, then worked together to bring the cards to life. "We went back and forth, I was sharing what I was creating, and we kind of just ran with it," Spector said. The collectibles are filled with details that die-hard Phillies fans are sure to appreciate.

But how about the anniversary of the championship? Do Lidge and his former teammates celebrate the date?

“There is a group text for the bullpen guys,” Lidge told On Pattison. "I tend to think that we stay in communication more than most other bullpens or most other aspects of baseball teams. Bullpen guys are, just kind of by nature, super-tight.

“So we still stay in touch a ton . . . We'll definitely throw out 'Happy Anniversary' on days like today. Then the texts might spiral in whatever direction."

Lidge lives in Colorado nowadays, but visits Philly often.

"This is my home away from home," Lidge said. "Feels like every time I come out here, as soon as I land, I get goosebumps and chills. And always run into some amazing fans. I have a ton of friends out here, I still love coming out here, so I do it whenever I can."

There were whispers recently that the NBA would discipline the Sixers over the decision to sit Joel Embiid for the entire preseason, then extend his rest.

The other shoe dropped late yesterday.

It’s typical of the NBA to hide behind a technicality rather than just say straight out “we’re punishing the Sixers because they’re treating our regular season product like it’s a joke.” Which, of course, it sort of is.

• The NBA fined the Sixers $100,000 for issuing misleading public statements about Embiid’s absence from the first three games of the season.

• The league’s investigation, prompted after Embiid missed the nationally televised season opener, found that while Embiid has a legitimate left knee issue, the 76ers misrepresented the nature of his absence.

• Sixers president Daryl Morey and coach Nick Nurse had suggested Embiid was being rested to prioritize his health for the playoffs rather than citing any new injury or setback.

• Although the NBA confirmed that Embiid is indeed managing an existing knee condition, it fined the team for the inconsistent and misleading messaging around his availability.

Here’s where we remind the reader that while $100K is a lot of money to normal people, the Sixers are worth more than $4 billion. For the Sixers, this fine is similar to how the average American would feel dropping a five dollar bill on the ground.

For that matter, this slap on the wrist might actually empower the Sixers to extend Embiid’s inactive start to the season even further.

The league probably isn’t likely to go back after the Sixers for the same offense. Oh, and another thing.

The win against the Pacers was the difference between 0-3 and 1-2. Just another reason not to rush Embiid (or Paul George for that matter) back before full health.

The decision to have John Tortorella — a ring and 745 coaching wins and all — lead a Flyers team that is in full rebuild/triage mode has always been a little odd.

We check in now on the skipper to see how things are going after another iffy start to a long season.

Well then.

Tortorella already expressed his views on the Flyers having to start the season in Western Canada and the PNW.

We know the coach isn’t going to shy from the microphone. At least until he does.

OK, fine. We committed the ultimate journalistic sin by burying the lede. Your Philadelphia Flyers haven’t had much luck with the Bruins in the past two seasons.

That was then and this is now old sport.

Goaltending has been a problem for the Flyers this season, so Sam Ersson deserves a lot of credit for keeping a clean sheet against the Bruins in Boston.

As the television broadcast finished, Jim Jackson happily revealed the historical significance of an otherwise unremarkable and well-played 2-0 NHL game.

• The Flyers hadn’t won in regulation in Boston since October 6, 2011.

• The Flyers hadn’t shut the Bruins out on the road since January 2, 2006.

Maybe they should have been listening to Torts all along!

📆 This Day in Philly Sports History

On October 30, 2011, the Philadelphia Eagles “Dream Team” beat the Dallas Cowboys, 34-7. Mike Vick threw for 279 yards and two touchdowns, LeSean McCoy had 30 carries for 185 yards and two touchdowns, and TE Brent Celek led all Eagles receivers with 94 yards.

📊 Poll

Results from Tuesday:

🔗 Links

• 🗽It’s only one game, but don’t let the Yankees get hot.

• ⚖️ OK, now let’s see what would happen if a Phillies fan did this during a World Series game.

• ⏳️ Audubon NJ native and Super Bowl champion Joe Flacco, 39, is back as a starting quarterback in the NFL.

• ✈️ Speaking of old quarterbacks, Aaron Rodgers thinks he’s found the fountain of youth.

• 🟫 One more QB tidbit: Famous Jameis has taken over for the injured and not missed Deshaun Watson.

📺 Coming Up

Games before our next send.

October 30, 2024

• Pistons at Sixers, 7:00 p.m. (NBC Sports Philadelphia)

Thanks for reading. See you tomorrow.

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