Crash rekindles memories of Munson

NEW YORK – Cory Lidle was at Yankee Stadium on Aug. 2 when a moment of silence was observed to mark the passing of New York Yankees catcher Thurman Munson, who had died in a plane crash 27 years earlier.

Munson, a pilot, was killed trying to land his small plane in Canton, Ohio, in 1979. His stunning death was recalled Wednesday when Lidle was believed to have died in a plane that crashed into a Manhattan condominium tower.

“It was the first thing I thought of when I heard the news,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. “What a shock, what a terrible thing to happen again.”

Munson was at the height of his career, a 32-year-old All-Star who was the captain of the team at the time of his death.

An Ohio native, Munson learned to fly and purchased a plane so he could make quicker trips home to see his family. He was practicing takeoffs and landing at the Akron-Canton Regional Airport when his new Cessna Citation jet crashed and burst into flames.

Two friends escaped, but Munson was killed. He was survived by his wife and three children.

To this day, Munson’s locker at Yankee Stadium remains empty in his memory and his No. 15 is retired. He has a plaque in Monument Park at Yankee Stadium.

A charity dinner is held in Munson’s name every winter in New York, with the proceeds going to help mentally disabled children. His wife, Diana, is active in planning the event.