Cory Lidle Leaves Behind Charitable Poker Legacy

The promising career of the 34-year-old baseball player, and popular member and fan of the poker community, came to an end on Wednesday afternoon as Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle piloted the Cirrus Design SR-20 four-seater plane that crashed into a New York residential high-rise.

Lidle began playing poker in 2004, and spent a good deal of his off-time at the lower-limit tables in California, or playing with his teammates while flying to different venues during baseball season. He knew that preparation preceded success, as he practiced his poker, worked on his golf swing, and diligently studied on how to be a pilot. One of his dreams after retirement, he said in an interview earlier this year in Las Vegas, was to become a professional poker player.

"If you come across a table of baseball players at a poker table," said Lidle, "snag a seat or at least put your name on the waiting list because it could really pay off."

It did pay off for children of the Make A Wish Foundation, as Lidle leaves behind a legacy of charitable contributions. Over the years, Lidle raised money by organizing golf and poker tournaments, along with sports and entertainment memorabilia auctions that accompanied the events. For the past two years, Hard Rock Casino and the Palms Las Vegas hosted the Cory Lidle Celebrity Charity Poker Tournament, which drew many famous poker players, as well as baseball greats, to raise money for Make A Wish.

His parents, twin brother Kevin, his wife Melanie, and their six-year-old boy survive him.

We at Card Player extend our deepest condolences to Cory Lidle's family, friends, and fans.

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