BRAG: (got lucky) A non-standard play (even for me)

[Invigilator]

I have been working hard at becoming a tighter player (regardless of what you are about to see ).

That is the disclaimer.

Now for the hand.

This was a funny table. If the first to act limped, everyone limped. If they made a standard raise, everyone called. So I was willing to limp, knowing a lot of people would come along for the ride...

PokerStars Cash game, $0.10/$0.25 No Limit, 9 players
Hand History by

SB: $24.85
BB: $4.75
UTG: $49.10
HERO (UTG+1): $35.30
MP1: $20.70
MP2: $19.30
MP3: $22.60
CO: $24.65
Button: $16.40

SB posts Small Blind $0.1
BB posts Big Blind $0.25

Pre-flop: 9 T ($0.35)
UTG folds
HERO calls $0.2
MP1 calls $0.2
MP2 calls $0.2
MP3 folds
CO calls $0.2
Button folds
SB calls $0.1
BB checks

Flop: Q J 8 ($1.25) triple checked the board to make sure I was not seeing things
SB checks
BB checks
HERO checks being so far out of position and pretty sure that this flop hit someone, I checked hoping that someone would bet. And yes, if it had checked around I would have pooped my pants in anger
MP1 checks
MP2 bets $1.5
CO folds
SB folds
BB folds
HERO raises to $4.5 Thoughts on the amount?
MP1 folds
MP2 raises to $19 and is all-in thank you
HERO calls $14.5

Turn: Q J 8 9 ($39.25)

River: Q J 8 9 6 ($39.25)

MP2 shows 8 8
HERO wins $37.65 with a straight Eight to Queen

EDIT: He had quite a few outs. He was 28% after the flop and 20% after the turn, if my approximations are correct