Signed as an undrafted free agent by the Twins and released after just two years in the minors, Lidle continued to fight his way up the minor-league ladder and finally got his big break when he was acquired by the Mets in a 1996 deal that sent backup catcher Kelly Stinnett to the Brewers. Lidle made an impressive debut (7-2, 3.53) out of the bullpen with New York in 1997, but was selected by Arizona in the 1998 expansion draft. Soon afterwards, he began feeling soreness in his elbow; the injury eventually required major surgery and cost him two years of his career. Lidle finally made it back to the majors with Tampa Bay at the end of the 1999 season and pitched decently as a swingman for the miserable Devil Rays in 2000. He was sent to Oakland as part of a four-team deal early in 2001 and pitched surprisingly well for the A's, holding down the fourth spot in the rotation behind young guns Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder, and Barry Zito. (JGR)
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FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»May 11, 1997:
The Mets ride pinch power to a 6–4 win over the Cardinals. Carl Everett, batting for Manny Alexander, hits a 2-run pinch homer in the 9th and Butch Huskey, hitting for Cory Lidle, follows with another pinch homer.
»May 3, 2000:
The Major League Baseball Players Association again denies several major-leaguers admission to the union. The players crossed picket lines during the 1994-95 strike becoming replacement players. These players don't pay union dues, receive full pension benefits, and can to use the Association's grievance procedure. However, they do not receive a share of royalties from the sale of baseball merchandise. Historian Stuart Shea notes the players are the only ex-replacements currently on major-league rosters: Benny Agbayani and Rick Reed of the Mets; Trenidad Hubbard and Kerry Ligtenberg of the Braves; Cory Lidle and Damian Miller of the Diamondbacks; Keith Osik and Rich Loiselle of the Pirates; Matt Herges of the Dodgers; Joe Slusarski of the Astros; Shane Spencer of the Yankees; Jeff Tam of the A's; Donne Wall of the Padres.
»January 8, 2001: In a 3-way deal, the Royals obtain C A.J. Hinch, OF Angel Berroa and cash from the A's, and P Roberto Hernandez from the Devil Rays; the A's receive P Cory Lidle from the Devil Rays, and OF Johnny Damon, IF Mark Ellis, and a player to be named from the Royals; and the Devil Rays receive OF Ben Grieve and a player to be named from the A's.
»July 19, 2002:
Oakland defeats Texas, 10–0, behind Cory Lidle's 1–hitter. The Rangers' only hit is Juan Gonzalez's leadoff 2B in the 8th inning.
»August 21, 2002:
The Athletics win their 8th straight game behind Cory Lidle's 1–hitter, beating Cleveland by a score of 6–0. Lidle gives up a 2–out single to Ellis Burks in the 1st inning, walks the next batter, then retires the last 25 batters. It is the 4th straight start for Lidle in which he's been part of a shutout, but it is the only one he's completed.
»November 16, 2002:
Oakland deals P Cory Lidle to Toronto for minor leaguers IF Mike Rouse and P Chris Mowday.
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