Cory Lidle Memorial Vandalized

The memorial of the late Cory Lidle after it was vandalized recently. Mandatory Credit: West Covina Police Department.

A statue of former Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle was severely damaged last Friday morning when vandals attempted to steal the memorial. Authorities have explained that the statue, worth around $100,000, was dismantled in attempts to steal the bronze and copper from which it was made. The thieves could not make off with the statue itself, however were able to get away with three bronze plaques valued at approximately $7000. No suspects have yet to be identified.

The 8-foot tall Cory Lidle memorial stood in front of Big League Dream Park in West Covina, CA where Lidle grew up and attended high school. The park has a Little League field which also bears his name. John Giambi, father to Jason and Jeremy as well as Executive Director of Big League Dream Park, called the acts “disheartening” and “discouraging” and that they would work on restoring the statue honoring his late friend.

Lidle died tragically on October 26, 2006 when his plane crashed into the Belaire Apartments on York Avenue and East 72nd Street in Manhattan. He began his big league career in New York with the Mets and had been traded to the Yankees in July of 2006 from the Phillies as part of the Bobby Abreu deal. Lidle accumulated a 4-3 record and a 5.13 ERA in his short stay with the Yankees.