Yankee Player Dies in High-Rise Crash

Posted Oct 11th 2006 4:58PM by TMZ Staff

Cory Lidle dies in plane crashNY Yankee pitcher Cory Lidle was piloting the plane that slammed into The Belaire, a 50-story New York City high-rise this afternoon. Lidle perished in the crash, along with one other person

TMZ has learned that Lidle was issued a private pilot's license in February of 2006, which certifies him to fly single engine airplanes.

Lidle, 34, joined the Yankees this season, and has pitched for several teams during his eight-year career, including the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, and Oakland Athletics. Several of the Yankees live in the very near vicinity of the building that was struck at 72nd Street and York Avenue, including Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Hideki Matsui, and, especially, first baseman Jason Giambi and catcher Jorge Posada, who live within just a few blocks of The Belaire.

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(Page 1 of 3) | 1 | 2 | 3 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

1. Wow, poor guy, but what are these people thinking?

This guy Im sure made triple my salary, why fly planes? I mean come on people died besides him, how crazy is that!

Posted at 5:03PM on Oct 11th 2006 by tru

2. clearly he needed more lessons.

Posted at 5:03PM on Oct 11th 2006 by quel

3. Should have stuck with the activity he was good at, baseball.

Posted at 5:06PM on Oct 11th 2006 by sickofitall

4. Whoa. So sad. Was it an accident, or a terrorist type deal?

Posted at 5:09PM on Oct 11th 2006 by Heather

5. Reminds me of when Thurman Munson died- a plane accident also.

Posted at 5:12PM on Oct 11th 2006 by Oakland A's diehard

6. #4 can you read?

It saids he was taking flying lessons, obviously like #2 saids not long enough.

Posted at 5:12PM on Oct 11th 2006 by tru

7. Clearly a tragedy. Less "stars" should get their pilot's liscense. It is just too dangerous!

Posted at 5:15PM on Oct 11th 2006 by kat

8. #6 can you read," was issued a private pilot's license in February of 2006" it wasn't a lesson.

Posted at 5:17PM on Oct 11th 2006 by whatthehell

9. that is so sad!!!!!! RIP COREY! I hate those putt-putt small planes. JFK jr., Aaliyah - how many people we got to lose to these planes.

Posted at 5:21PM on Oct 11th 2006 by THE REAL Jennifer

10. Get your facts straight. He has not been confirmed dead. He was the ONLY person on the plane. This has all been stated by the FBI. How sick and cruel of you to report someones death when it has not been confirmed. Yes, there are two confirmed deaths, but neither have been identified as Lidle.

Posted at 5:22PM on Oct 11th 2006 by heather

11. *LOL* @ #4 comment.
Why would a Yankee's pitcher be a terrorist??LOL

Posted at 5:31PM on Oct 11th 2006 by CoCo

12. um, tmz should get its facts straight before they post things.
according to cnn, yahoo, and espn the death has not been confirmed yet. all they've said is that they found his passport on the ground nearby.

Posted at 5:34PM on Oct 11th 2006 by maya

13. Stick to POOP SCOOPING TMZ and leave real journalism to the real journalists.

Posted at 5:35PM on Oct 11th 2006 by CP

14. THANK YOU MAYA! Why do people have to be sick and cruel. GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT! When they notify the next of kin, then we'll know who the deceased are.

Posted at 5:37PM on Oct 11th 2006 by heather

15. BREAKING NEWS
NBC News and news services
Updated: 24 minutes ago
NEW YORK - A small plane with New York Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle aboard crashed into a 50-story condominium tower Wednesday on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, killing at least four people and raining flaming debris on sidewalks, authorities said. NBC News confirmed Lidle was among the dead.

Posted at 5:41PM on Oct 11th 2006 by PITA

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