推 joke1:Lidle是個愛家的好丈夫好爸爸 10/13 21:34
Recalling a pitcher with strong passion
Thursday, October 12, 2006
from nj.com
BY ED PRICE
Star-Ledger Staff
NEW YORK -- It was just a few months ago when Cory Lidle bought his first
airplane.
"He was so proud," Yankees catcher Sal Fasano said yesterday. "When he got
it, he'd show us pictures of it like a proud father. He couldn't wait to
start using it. I know flying was his passion."
Lidle wasn't a Yankee very long. He joined the team after the July 30 trade
with the Phillies and went 4-3 in 10 games. But the plane crash that killed
him yesterday left the organization in shock.
General manager Brian Cashman -- who had insisted on getting Lidle along with
star outfielder Bobby Abreu in the trade -- could barely find words to
express his grief.
"It's devastating news," Cashman said in a phone interview. "He's got a wife
and a child."
Said Yankees captain Derek Jeter: "I am shocked by this devastating news.
Spending the last few months as Cory's teammate, I came to know him as a
great man. While he was known as a baseball player, he was, more importantly,
a husband and father and, at a time like this, I want to share my deepest
sympathies with his wife Melanie, his son Christopher and all those who know
and loved him."
Former Yankees pitcher Aaron Small grew up with Lidle in Southern California,
and they were high school teammates at South Hills High in West Covina.
"I've known Cory since he was about 8 years old," Small said from his
Tennessee home. "You named it, every level, we played together -- me and his
twin brother (Kevin). Little League, Pony League, Colt League -- all the
leagues.
"We combined on a perfect game in Little League. We both had three innings
(of pitching eligibility) left. I threw the first three innings, he threw the
second three innings. Every time someone brought my name up to him, he talked
about that.
"We really had fun together. It's been years since I've seen him, but
whenever I saw him, it was like we hadn't missed a beat."
Yankees star Jason Giambi was also on that high school team, and he and Lidle
also played together in Oakland.
"Right now, I am really in a state of shock," Giambi said through his agent,
"as I am sure the entire MLB family is. My thoughts are with Cory's relatives
and the loved ones of the others who were injured or killed in this plane
crash.
"I have known Cory and his wife, Melanie, for over 18 years and watched his
son grow up. We played high school ball together and have remained close
throughout our careers. We were excited to be reunited in New York this year
and I am just devastated to hear this news."
Teammates recalled Lidle as more than a pilot and pitcher.
"He was pretty family-oriented," said Fasano, who joined the Yankees from the
Phillies in a separate trade over the summer. "Everything always revolved
around his wife and his kid. I know his son and his wife were a big part of
his life."
Home in Colorado, Yankees reliever Mike Myers -- who had the locker next to
Lidle's -- was doing chores when his wife told him to come inside and look at
the television.
"It's mesmerizing," Myers said. "Sort of shocking. You don't know what's
going on.
"I know he had a passion for flying."
Yankees coach Larry Bowa, who managed Lidle in Philadelphia, knew the pitcher
had a fascination with planes but not that he had a pilot's license.
"I figured he had a pilot and just owned a plane," Bowa said. "I thought he'd
try to be a pilot and fly when he got done with baseball. I didn't know he
was able to fly a plane by himself. That made it even more of a shock."
The Yankees, who were eliminated from the first round of the playoffs by
Detroit on Saturday, reacted to Lidle's death in a series of statements.
"This is a terrible and shocking tragedy that has stunned the entire Yankees
organization," owner George Steinbrenner said. "I offer my deep condolences
and prayers to his wife, Melanie, and son, Christopher, on their enormous
loss."
Manager Joe Torre said: "This is a terrible shock. I was with (coaches) Ron
Guidry and Lee Mazzilli when I heard the news and we were just stunned.
Cory's time with the Yankees was short, but he was a good teammate and a
great competitor. My heart goes out to his family."
Commissioner Bud Selig and union head Don Fehr also issued statements.
"All of baseball is shocked and terribly saddened by the sudden and tragic
passing of Cory Lidle," Selig said. Cory was only 34 years old and had played
in the major leagues for nine seasons with seven clubs. He leaves a young
wife, Melanie, and a young son, Christopher. Our hearts go out to them on
this terrible day."
Said Fehr: "We were very shocked and saddened to learn of the fatal plane
crash involving Cory Lidle, and our thoughts and prayers go out to Cory's
family and friends, and to the families and friends of others killed or
injured in this terrible accident."
Bowa was home watching coverage of the plane crash even before it was
discovered that Lidle was involved.
"To watch something like that unfold in front of your eyes," Bowa said, "and
an hour later see his name come across the bottom of the screen, you say,
'What?'
"It leaves you speechless. You're just sitting here dwelling on what happened
in baseball and something like this happens. ... It's a reality check for
everybody, not just baseball players. You think everything's smooth and going
great, and then this comes up."
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