Baseball Player That Died In Plane Crash
Baseball is considered as one of America's favorite pastimes. The game has been played for over a century and has produced some of the biggest sporting legends in history. However, the game has also witnessed its fair share of tragedies. One of the most heartbreaking of these tragedies is the deaths of baseball players in plane crashes.
The Crash
On October 25th, 1999, a small airplane crashed in the Gulf of Mexico, taking the lives of two Major League Baseball players and four others. The plane was headed to Houston, Texas, after a hunting trip in Florida. Among the passengers were Roberto Clemente Jr. and his brother Luis Clemente, the sons of the legendary Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente, who was also killed in a plane crash in 1972 while delivering aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.
The Victims
One of the victims of the 1999 plane crash was Cory Lidle, a pitcher for the New York Yankees. Lidle was born in Hollywood, California, and started his major league career with the New York Mets in 1997. He had also played for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Oakland Athletics, Toronto Blue Jays, Cincinnati Reds, and Philadelphia Phillies before joining the Yankees in 2006.
Lidle was known as a hard-working and determined player who was well-respected by his teammates. He was also a licensed pilot and had bought the plane just a few weeks before the crash. Lidle's death was a great loss to the baseball community, as he was only 34 years old and had a promising future ahead of him.
The Aftermath
The deaths of Cory Lidle and the other victims of the 1999 plane crash had a profound impact on the baseball community. Fans, players, coaches, and officials all mourned the loss of these talented individuals. The tragedy also highlighted the dangers of small planes, especially for athletes who need to travel frequently during the season. In response to the crash, Major League Baseball and the players' union created a program to help players purchase safer modes of transportation.
Remembering the Victims
The legacy of Cory Lidle and the other victims of the 1999 plane crash lives on in the memories of their families, friends, and fans. In honor of their memory, the baseball community has held numerous tributes, including a moment of silence at Yankee Stadium and a fundraising event for Lidle's daughter's college education. These acts of remembrance serve as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing every moment.
Conclusion
The deaths of baseball players in plane crashes are a sobering reminder of the risks that athletes face when traveling. The loss of Cory Lidle and the other victims of the 1999 plane crash was a tragically unnecessary loss of life that will never be forgotten. However, their memory lives on in the hearts and minds of the baseball community, and serves as a reminder to cherish every moment with our loved ones.