Former Major League Baseball (MLB) closer Brad Lidge, known for his time with the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies, has embarked on a new career as an archaeologist. After retiring from baseball in 2013, Lidge developed a passion for archaeology, influenced by his high school world history classes. He is now a member of the Board of Advisors for the Penn Museum, one of the largest archaeological museums in the United States. Lidge is currently preparing to pursue a Ph.D. and has focused his research on the Etruscans, an ancient civilization in Italy. His journey into archaeology began with a volunteer excavation in central Italy, where he discovered a bronze coin, igniting his passion for the field. Lidge holds a bachelor's degree in religious studies and a master's degree in ancient Roman archaeology from the University of Leicester. He has collaborated with Dr. Anthony Tuck on research papers and is considering writing a book on ancient Etruscan symbols. Lidge has also become a significant donor to the Penn Museum's excavation projects, demonstrating his commitment to his new career. He compares the stress of archaeology to that of being a closer in baseball, noting that while both have their pressures, archaeology offers a healthier level of stress.