Lidge 'ticked off' about demotion
Troubled closer won't say if he has seen psychologist
By JOSE DE JESUS ORTIZ
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle
CHICAGO — Brad Lidge was among the first to praise Dan Wheeler after Wheeler was given Lidge's closer's job Monday afternoon. But rest assured Lidge isn't pleased with Astros manager Phil Garner's decision, and he vows to use his frustration as motivation.
"I'm definitely upset about losing my role after throwing in two games, after throwing in one save situation," Lidge said. "Garner made the decision, and I will of course stand by it. He's my manager, and I'll do whatever he wants me to do. But that being said, I'm pretty ticked off about it. I guess the only thing I can do is use it as motivation."
Lidge issued a rare "no comment" when asked if he had seen a sports psychologist or if the Astros had made one available to him.
"I'll just say there are people available," he said.
General manager Tim Purpura acknowledges sports psychologists are available to Astros players, but he wouldn't say whether Lidge has used such help.
"To me, that's a confidentiality issue," Purpura said. "There are certain things that shouldn't be made public. Certain things, to me — as if you were going through counseling at (your job) — I don't think that would be public information, and I don't think those kinds of things should be made public with players."
jesus.ortiz@chron.com