[editor's note, by dajafi] From the diaries. Shocking and tragic.

Wow, just... wow.  

Here's the story from CBS Sportsline.

http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/story/9721382

Apparently the plane crashed into a condo building in Manhattan.  Just saw on ESPNNews that Lidle is confirmed dead.

Absolutely tragic.  I'm still in shock.  Obviously, my thoughts go out to his family.  

RIP Cory.

Update [2006-10-11 17:15:39 by DanT]: It turns out Lidle was the pilot of the plane. Still no word on who the other passengers were, or if anyone in the building was hurt (or how it happened.

Update [2006-10-11 17:23:5 by DanT]: Here's the story from ESPN. It turns out Cory was the only person on the plane, and the three other deaths were in the building. On a side note, if anyone has seen the footage on TV, considering it happened five miles from the WTC, this feels even worse.

Now, normally, I try to be a voice of skepticism around here.  And I'm not a big fan of crazy ideas, like thinking the Phillies are going to sign a 3B that every other team will want.  Or sign a Japanese pitcher they haven't even scouted.  Or ever stop sucking.  But here's an idea so crazy it just might work.

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In the Mike Lieberthal thread, Philsin06 made an interesting assertion: right now the Phils have their best Firstbaseman, Secondbaseman and Shortstop that we've ever had.  As it is, we seem to be finishing up a sort of Phillies Golden Age.  Lieberthal is our second greatest catcher ever.  Bobby Abreu is not only our greatest Rightfielders, but when all is said and done, one of the greatest Phillies ever.  Is it possible this is spread all across the diamond?  Well, I'll tell you this before the jump, David Bell & Abe Nunez are NOT the best Phils thirdbasemen ever.

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I noticed that there are some who think the Abreu trade is good because it will allow the Phillies to address the pitching problem in the off-season.  That made me look into the 2006/2007 free agent class of pitchers.  The results of the study may surprise you.

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