April 3 -- REMEMBERING LIDLE

While the Phillies mourned the passing of John Vukovich, Cory Lidle, Johnny Callison and longtime organist Paul Richardson with a moment of silence yesterday, the Yankees saluted Lidle by having his wife Melanie and son Christopher (left) throw out ceremonial first pitches before the season-opener against the Devil Rays at Yankee Stadium. By all accounts, it was an emotional tribute to the late pitcher, who died Oct. 11 when his plane crashed into an apartment building in Manhattan. The Yankees are wearing black arm bands on their uniforms this season to remember Lidle, who joined them last July 30 when the Phillies dealt him and Bobby Abreu to New York for a package of minor leaguers, including left-hander Matt Smith.

I've written a lot, on this blog and in the newspaper, about my memories of Lidle. Even though last season was my rookie year as a Phillies beat writer, I got to know Cory better than most players, simply because he was so easy to talk to. And, not just about baseball either. While it's considered taboo to talk to most pitchers on the day they're supposed to start, Lidle would talk your ear off about poker, golf and especially his new plane. Once, with trade rumors swirling in July, he even helped me play a prank on a fellow scribe by partially packing his equipment bag and giving me what appeared be a farewell handshake. Within minutes, the writer had approached Lidle to ask if he'd been traded. Lidle roared with laughter. The joke wouldn't have worked if Cory hadn't sold it so well. That's what went through my mind yesterday during the moment of silence at The Bank and again last night when I saw this picture and highlights of the Yankees game.

And, for me, those memories are unforgettable.