Pitcher Cory Lidle Dies in Plane Crash
The New York Yankee's mid-season acquisition, right-handed pitcher Cory Lidle, died today when his Cirrus SR20 plane crashed into a residential building on East 72nd Street in Manhattan.Lidle joined the Yankees in the same trade in which they received Bobby Abreu, both from the Philadelphia Phillies. He was the fifth member of their starting rotation, presumably brought in to fill in for the injured Carl Pavano.
Lidle was moved to the bullpen when the Yankees switched to a four-man rotation in the post-season, and he pitched 1 and 2/3 innings in game four of the ALDS, giving up three runs to the Detroit Tigers.
Lidle's best start with the Yankees came against the Baltimore Orioles on September 26, when he pitched 6 2/3 innings and helped the Yankees finish with a 5-4 win.
Lidle's rookie season came in 1997 with the New York Mets when he notched a 7-2 record with an era of 3.53. He moved around a great deal in his career and his best season came in 2001 when he finished with 13-6 record and a 3.59 era with the Oakland Athletics.
He was a career 4.57 pitcher, with 838 strike outs in 1,322 innings pitched.
