Cory Lidle

Cory Lidle was an American professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1997 to 2006. Born on March 22, 1972, in Hollywood, California, Lidle had a journeyman career, playing for seven MLB teams: the New York Mets, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Oakland Athletics, Toronto Blue Jays, Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies, and New York Yankees. He made his MLB debut on May 8, 1997, and his final appearance was on October 1, 2006. Over his nine-season career, he achieved a win-loss record of 82–72 and an earned run average (ERA) of 4.57 .

Lidle was known for his resilience and adaptability on the mound. One of his most notable seasons was in 2001 with the Oakland Athletics, where he posted a 13–6 record with a 3.59 ERA, helping the team secure a wild card spot. His performance during this period earned him the nickname "Snacks" among teammates, a playful nod to his love for junk food .

Tragically, Cory Lidle's life was cut short when the small aircraft he was piloting crashed into a residential building in New York City on October 11, 2006. He was 34 years old at the time of his death . Lidle's passion for aviation was well-known, and he often spoke about the joy and peace he found in flying. One of his memorable quotes reflects this sentiment: “You can go up in the air and everything is gone. You know, you don't think about baseball. You don't think about anything. It's just something that takes you away from everyday life” .