Cory Lidle

Cory Lidle – Life, Career, and Tragic End

Meta description:
Discover the life and career of Cory Lidle (1972–2006): his journey through Major League Baseball, his pitching highlights, his passion for flying, and the tragic plane crash that cut his life short.

Introduction

Cory Fulton Lidle (March 22, 1972 – October 11, 2006) was an American professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1997 until his untimely death in 2006. Known for his workmanlike approach on the mound and his outspoken character off it, Lidle’s career spanned seven teams over nine seasons. His life ended in tragedy when a small plane he was piloting crashed into a New York City apartment building.

In this article, we trace his early life, baseball trajectory, personality and challenges, and the circumstances of his death.

Early Life & Background

Cory Lidle was born on March 22, 1972, in Hollywood, California, to Doug and Rebecca (or Lisa) Lidle.

Lidle’s middle name, Fulton, reflected his descent (or at least a family claim) from Robert Fulton, the inventor associated with early steamboats.

He grew up in West Covina, California, and attended South Hills High School.

In his senior year, Lidle posted excellent statistics: an 11–2 win–loss record, a 1.02 earned run average (ERA), and over 100 strikeouts. not selected in the amateur draft. He believed factors such as his physical stature (about 5′11″, 175 lb) worked against him.

Instead, he signed as an undrafted free agent with the Minnesota Twins organization in 1990.

MLB Career

Debut & Early Years

Lidle made his Major League debut with the New York Mets on May 8, 1997, entering as a reliever.

Despite that promising start, he struggled with injuries and inconsistency. At one time, he underwent elbow surgery which cost him significant time. Over his career, he would pitch for the following teams:

• New York Mets

• Tampa Bay Devil Rays

• Oakland Athletics

• Toronto Blue Jays

• Cincinnati Reds

• Philadelphia Phillies

• New York Yankees

Lidle had a career win–loss record of 82–72, an ERA of 4.57, and 838 strikeouts over 1,322.2 innings pitched.

One of his standout seasons was in 2001 with the Oakland A’s, when he went 13–6 with a 3.59 ERA, placing him among the better pitchers in the American League. August 2002, he had a dominant run, allowing only one earned run over the entire month, helping anchor a historic run by Oakland.

Lidle was known in the clubhouse for his candid, sometimes blunt opinions, including criticism of teammates or management.

In July 2006, he was traded from the Phillies to the Yankees (along with Bobby Abreu).

His final MLB appearance came in Game 4 of the 2006 American League Division Series (ALDS), in which he surrendered three earned runs in 1⅓ innings.

Personal Life & Traits

Lidle married Melanie Varela on January 7, 1997. Christopher Taylor Lidle, born on September 18, 2000.

He had a twin brother, Kevin, who played in the minor leagues primarily as a catcher and pitcher.

Lidle had a reputation for enjoying food; teammates gave him the nickname “Snacks” for his fondness for junk food in the bullpen.

Because Lidle had been a replacement player during the 1994 MLB strike (while in minor league ranks), he was ineligible for membership in the Major League Baseball Players Association—which had consequences for licensing, royalties, and use of his likeness in licensed products.

Death & Aftermath

On October 11, 2006, just four days after the Yankees’ elimination from the 2006 postseason, Lidle died when the Cirrus SR20 single-engine plane he was flying crashed into the Belaire Apartments on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. His flight instructor, Tyler Stanger, was also killed.

The accident occurred during a 180-degree turn over the East River, when strong east winds pushed the aircraft into the building.

Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) later attributed the crash primarily to pilot error and the inability to maintain control in the turn given wind conditions.

Following his death, MLB and the Yankees honored him. The Yankees wore black armbands during the 2007 season in his memory.

A field in Cortez Park, West Covina, California, was named Cory Lidle Field in his memory.

Legacy & Reflections

Cory Lidle remains remembered as a resilient pitcher who worked his way through adversity, maintained a forthright persona, and pursued his passions—both on and off the field.

While he never reached superstardom, his journey offers notable lessons:

• His career demonstrates perseverance: not drafted yet forging a 9-season MLB career.

• He was unafraid to speak his mind, even when that drew criticism.

• His love of flying shows he embraced life beyond the diamond—though tragically that turned fatal.

• His story underscores the danger inherent in risk, and how quickly life can change.