Yankee Player Dies in High-Rise Crash

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

Cory Lidle dies in plane crash NY 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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16. IT HASN'T BEEN COMFIMRED YET DOUCHE BAGS...HOW BOUT LETTING THE NEXT OF KIN KNOW FIRST...INSENSITIVE BASTARDS

Posted at 5:42PM on Oct 11th 2006 by ha!

17. This is very sad, and it also hit close to home for me because I work on 72nd and 2nd ave. It was a scary scene today.

Posted at 5:46PM on Oct 11th 2006 by ujay

18. I just read that there are 4 people dead at least they are not saying one way or the other if he was killed as well. Very sad.

Posted at 5:46PM on Oct 11th 2006 by Mrs. Scott

19. The FBI and in the press conference that JUST ended both said that only TWO were dead and that neither could be identified until the next of kin could be notified, which could not be done at this time.

In a new press conference, they have just said AGAIN that they cannot identify the dead.

Posted at 5:48PM on Oct 11th 2006 by heather

20. I'd be so happy if I could write a snide or funny comment when one of you cold, judgmental posters was killed or murdered or arrested but you're such losers it would never happen. Nobody will ever know who you are. What goes around....

Posted at 5:48PM on Oct 11th 2006 by Sue

21. espn reported on the air that he's dead. so did nbc. lidle also owns the plane. it's safe to say he's dead.

Posted at 5:53PM on Oct 11th 2006 by fiz

22. this is sad but at the same time, what the hell was he thinking??!! i guess if youre famous you can do whatever you want even if it includes freaking out the nation and killing a few people in the process!!

Posted at 5:58PM on Oct 11th 2006 by juicyone

23. It's really an unfair generalization to say flying planes are dangerous. Everything we do has some sort of risk involved. There's way more people dying everyday in car crashes than plane crashes....maybe we should stop driving then.

It's always sad to see someone die :(

Posted at 6:00PM on Oct 11th 2006 by fabcrab

24. Yeah, so it's likely that he is dead, but why say something is confirmed when the FBI has already said they cannot confirm it. That's just wrong. Would you want someone saying you were dead or someone you love was dead, when it hadn't been confirmed yet and your family hadn't been notified? I sure as hell wouldn't.

Posted at 6:02PM on Oct 11th 2006 by heather

25. Latest news is that Cory's body was found strapped in his seat at the bottom of the high rise-it was 100 per cent identified as him !He is dead ! And there was another body of someone else who was in the plane with him found at the bottom of the building.
The news said it was a sightseeing plane and therefore did'nt need clearance to fly or be monitored.Cory was flying the plane.
Two other people were also killed when the plane crashed.My guess is they were in the building it crashed into at the time.

Posted at 6:11PM on Oct 11th 2006 by Marc

26. A TERRORIST is going to set his sights on bigger fish than a small plane that only has several people on board. Apply some common sense here. This is a tragic accident. You just never know when your times up.

Posted at 6:19PM on Oct 11th 2006 by the wise old owl.

27. His wife is on a commercial plane flying to California and has no idea what happened.

Posted at 6:29PM on Oct 11th 2006 by Pieta

28. To Cory's family and friends. I am deaply sorry for all your loss. I first found out about Cory, 12 minutes after the crash. My partner (un-named) is Cory's first cousin by marriage, I called him, whom called the immediate family, to say the bad news. All these horrible things were said and told, before the family knew. This is an extreme sad moment, for all Cory's family, friends, and team members, my thoughts and prayers are with you. To the family and friends of those killed in the building, my thoughts and prayers, are will you also.

Posted at 6:40PM on Oct 11th 2006 by Andrea

29. do you guys really think its possible that he ran into a building cuz he didn't know how to fly?? i heard it was a mechanical failure....makes more sense to me.

Posted at 7:16PM on Oct 11th 2006 by yo momma

30. "...low and inside...ball one!" There I said it, so what!

Posted at 7:24PM on Oct 11th 2006 by Phil Rizzito

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