R.I.P. Cory Lidle (1972-2006)

Some things in life are too surreal. We all remember what we felt when saw what happened five years and one month ago when two planes crashed into the World Trade Center. Yesterday as I arrived to go to work, it was just being announced that a small jet had crashed into a 50 story building in Manhattan's Upper East Side. The FBI was quick to state the crash,'was not the act of terrorism'. When it was revealed that Yankee pitcher Cory Lidle was the pilot on the plane who died, that brought back a flood of painful memories.

First and foremost you ask any Yankee fan where they were on August 2nd 1979, they will tell you without a doubt. I cried for a week when Thurman Munson died tragically at the age of 32. The same thought went through my mind when it was New Year's Eve 1972 when Roberto Clemente was on a humanitarian mission to help victims in Nicaragua when his plane crashed. Roberto was 37 and had just finished 1972 with career hit number 3,000. Cubs fans will forever ask 'what could have been' had rookie sensation Ken Hubbs not died in a plane crash at age 21 in 1965. Even golf fans will take a moment to recall watching the harrowing details of Payne Stewart's last day alive when his jet would crash 10/25/99...

Cory Lidle died doing what he loved to do. Survived by wife Melanie and a young son, it almost seems cryptic to say that it might make eerie sense if the A's and Mets meet in the World Series. Two of many teams that Lidle played for. He was a player's player, keeping things lighthearted and fun. He also wasn't afraid to voice an opinion where steroids and cheating were concerned.

What I find so ironic about Cory Lidle's passing is that Lou Piniella was in the Fox booth calling the Oakland game. I wonder if it occurred to him just how close he was to flying with Thurman Munson on that day 28 years ago. Lou and Bobby Murcer each had a standing invite one day prior in Chicago. Both politely declined...

Billy Joel once lamented 'Only the Good Die Young'. I believe that to be true. The events of this day remind me that perception is a very funny thing. The moment that you even think to bemoan a perceived bad scenario, reality comes along to bitch-slap you into another dimension.

Baseball lost a good man today. The Lidle family lost a good son and father. My prayers and thoughts go to them, and to every player who ever had a moment with Cory. Cory Lidle 1972-2006...

Over and out in Big D

Mr Will