Family

Jeff Suppan. Eric Chavez. Derek Jeter. Rick Peterson. Roberto Hernandez. Mark Mulder. Billy Wagner. Aaron Harang. Paul Wilson. Barry Zito. Randy Wolf. Ken Griffey, Jr. Carlos Delgado. Jason Giambi.

It looks like someone's fantasy baseball team, and a pretty good-looking line-up at that. But these are just some of the professional ball players who have been teammates of Cory Lidle's in his stints with the A's, Blue Jays, Devil Rays, Reds, Phillies, and Yankees.

Baseball is a small world, and because transactions are made at such regular pace and guys have to play so much minor league ball and because baseball is a fraternity, a family, Cory Lidle's plane crash into an East Side Manhattan apartment building and death inspired sympathies and words of condolences from all of the above, and more. They have all played with or coached Lidle at some point in his career. The most poignant connection is Giambi's -- not only did he play high school ball with Lidle, they played together in Oakland (Lidle's breakout years) and briefly again, in the last two months of this season that Lidle was a Yankee. He said, "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."

There's something about playing a game that involves hanging out on the bench, in the bullpen, or in the dugout with your teammates half the time. You're talking about everything, your swing, your plays, sharing tips on the pitcher, passing around gum, showing off the family, thinking where to go for steak that night. The other half of the time, you've got many moments to chat it up on the field, especially if you're an infielder. It's not a flashy sport, it's got plenty of superstitions and traditions, and it's just plain old fun. And that's why ball players become great friends, family.

Last year, Lidle was on my fantasy baseball team. I'd hoped he would regain some of that Oakland magic, but knew better to manage by instinct, so he was my fourth or fifth starter. He did OK in that spot, going 13-11 on the year with a four-and-a-half ERA. I didn't know him nor play with him, of course, but he put up good numbers for me and never caused any problems by going on the DL or getting demoted into the bullpen.

So I thank him for a good year. It's always sad when someone dies before his or her time, pro ball player or not, but when a little boy is going to grow up without a dad, your heart breaks.