Lidle's Death: Reactions from Around Baseball

Oct. 12, 2006 — -- Reactions to the death of Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle, whose plane slammed into a Manhattan high rise Wednesday:

"All of baseball is shocked and terribly saddened by the sudden and tragic passing of Cory Lidle. Cory was only 34 years old and had played in the major leagues for nine seasons with seven different clubs. He leaves a young wife, Melanie, and a young son, Christopher. Our hearts go out to them on this terrible day." -- MLB commissioner Bud Selig

"This is a terrible and shocking tragedy that has stunned the entire Yankees organization." -- Yankees owner George Steinbrenner

"Right now, I am really in a state of shock, 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." -- Yankees first baseman Jason Giambi, Lidle's teammate with Oakland in 2001

"This is a terrible shock. I was with 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." -- Yankees manager Joe Torre

"We are all deeply saddened by this horrible tragedy. Our hearts and prayers are with the family. This is a sad day for the entire Yankee family." -- Yankees president Randy Levine

"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." -- Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter

"It gave me goosebumps. I don't know what to say. We played golf all the time. It's unbelievable. I can't imagine what his wife and son are going through." -- Cardinals pitcher Mark Mulder, Lidle's teammate with Oakland from 2001-02

"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 friend and to the families and friends of others killed or injured in this terrible accident." -- MLBPA executive director Donald Fehr

"The Phillies family is extremely saddened by the tragic news involving Cory Lidle. Our thoughts and prayers are extended to his wife, Melanie, son, Christopher, and those families who were affected by the terrible incident in New York." -- Phillies president David Montgomery

"I wish I had the words. I have no words. I just have strong emotions, it's sadder than sad." -- Mets pitching coach Rick Peterson, Lidle's coach with Oakland from 2001-02

"I played with Cory in 1998. It's really tragic. You just, you don't hear things like that very often. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. You just really don't know what to say. ... You just hope that his family will be able to deal with the tragedy." -- Cardinals pitcher Jeff Suppan

"I'm sure it will be looming and be in everyone's head, especially the 50 guys in the dugout and the coaching staffs. But we have to go on. I'm sure Lidle would want us to go on." -- A's pitcher Barry Zito, Lidle's teammate with Oakland from 2001-02

"It's tough when it's anybody in the baseball world, especially someone that you knew. We would see each other every winter in Vegas. There was his poker tournament there. We knew his wife, Melanie, pretty well. ... Definitely a free spirit. ... He was gutsy, very outspoken." -- A's third baseman Eric Chavez, Lidle's teammate with Oakland from 2001-02

"You play sports and sometimes you feel infallible. You take care of yourself so well. It's obviously a dangerous passion [flying a plane]. ... I really didn't know Cory well. But when you're in the baseball fraternity like we all are, it hits home. These sort of things happen a lot, unfortunately. But when it happens in your own fraternity, it sinks in a little more and it hurts a little more because you know the people involved." -- Lou Piniella

"The tragic passing of Cory is very disturbing. He was still a young man. My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and son and the other families who were affected by this tragic incident." -- Phillies GM Pat Gillick

"When I heard the news, I was shocked. I couldn't believe it. Cory was a true professional who gave his all every time he went to the mound. My deepest sympathy goes out to his family." -- Phillies manager Charlie Manuel

"First and foremost, my heart sinks for Melanie and Christopher. I feel fortunate that I got to know Cory first as a teammate and then as a friend. This whole thing makes me feel numb. Cory was an even better person than he was a pitcher and I hope that's how he's remembered." -- Phillies pitcher Randy Wolf, Lidle's teammate with Philadelphia from 2004-06

"I was shocked by the news. Baseball lost a good player, friend, teammate and competitor. He left an impression on all of us. Our prayers are with his family." -- Reds outfielder Ken Griffey Jr., a teammate of Lidle with Cincinnati in 2004

"Cory's death is a terrible shock to all of us. Our sympathies go out to his wife, Melanie, and their young son, Christopher. We all have fond memories of Cory and his family during his time with our organization and he'll be missed by us all." -- A's GM Billy Beane

"Lidle's death is a tragedy for the Yankees, the Mets, the city of New York and all of baseball's family." -- Mets GM Omar Minaya

_"I saw the first images on TV before leaving for the stadium and my first impression was concern for the possible victims. But when I learned that a ballplayer was involved I felt even worse, because you feel that someone in your family has been hurt. There are times when baseball stops being important, and this is one of those times." -- Mets center fielder Carlos Beltran

"We are deeply saddened by this terrible tragedy and mourn the loss of a member of our extended family. We join the Yankees and the entire MLB community in extending our deepest sympathies to his family." -- Statement from the Devil Rays organization

"It is a very sad day for all of us. You never expect something like that to happen to a man so young and completely healthy." -- Former major-league reliever John Franco

"It is a very sad and pitiful case. In this moment, we are all thinking about Cory's family." -- Mets first baseman Carlos Delgado, Lidle's teammate with Toronto in 2003