Lidle was killed when the small aircraft he owned was blown by a strong gust of wind and slammed nose first into a residential building in New York City.

[2] Lidle later played for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Oakland Athletics, Toronto Blue Jays, Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees.

His best season was 2001, when he achieved a 13–6 record with a 3.59 ERA (10th in the American League) for Oakland, helping the Athletics win the wild card.

It was on this Oakland team where Lidle earned the nickname "Snacks", for his apparent love of "inhaling" junk food in the bullpen.

In 2003, Lidle led the major leagues with 123 earned runs allowed and had a 5.75 ERA that was the worst among qualified starters.

For damage control, he called the radio talk show Mike and the Mad Dog and gave an extended defense of himself and the Yankees;[2] the interview became contentious.

[14] On October 11, 2006, just four days after the Yankees' season ended with a loss to the Detroit Tigers in the 2006 ALDS, Lidle and co-pilot/flight instructor Tyler Stanger were flying a Cirrus SR20 airplane when it crashed into the Belaire Apartments complex at 524 East 72nd Street on New York City's Upper East Side, killing them both.

A strong wind from the east due to an incoming front caused the plane to be blown into the building as it was making a 180-degree turn.

[20] On April 2, 2007, Cory's widow Melanie and his son Christopher both threw the ceremonial first pitch on Opening Day at Yankee Stadium.