Google+ LinkedIn YouTube

Cory Lidle Sculpture to Be Re-Dedicated in West Covina

Source City of West Covina

Cory Lidle bronze sculpture at Big League Dreams was damaged in February 2014 by metal thieves. - Courtesy image from West Covina Police Department.

Cory Lidle bronze sculpture at Big League Dreams was damaged in February 2014 by metal thieves. – Courtesy image from West Covina Police Department.

After nine-months of rehabilitation, the City of West Covina is proud to announce the re-dedication of the Cory Lidle Sculpture will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2014, at 10:00 a.m.

The City of West Covina will be joined by the Lidle Family and all those that help to restore the sculpture at a ceremony at Big League Dreams, 2100 South Azusa Avenue.

In the early morning hours of February 21, 2014, metal thieves attempted to destroy the bronze sculpture of former West Covina resident and New York Yankee star Cory Lidle that was on display in front of Big League Dreams in West Covina.

“The vandalism of the Cory Lidle sculpture was a deplorable act,” said West Covina Mayor Steve Herfert, “Thanks to the hard work of many individuals, the sculpture has been repaired and will be a lasting tribute to Cory for all of the community to enjoy, and for the hope and dreams of every baseball player in our City.”

The vandalism of the sculpture received national attention and condemnation from thousands across the country to those responsible for the damage. They have not been found.

The Cory Lidle Sculpture was the City of West Covina’s first sponsored public art project and depicts former West Covina resident Cory Lidle (Cory Lidle was a former New York Yankee Pitcher and South Hills High School Alumni-Class of 1990 who was killed in an airplane accident in 2006). The sculpture was dedicated on Saturday, October 27, 2007, to coincide with the opening of the new Big League Dreams sports park.

The nine (9) foot bronze sculpture was designed and sculpted by San Antonio, Texas artist, Don Hunt. In 2007, Mr. Hunt talked about his inspiration for the sculpture, “My process for developing the concept for the work began with research of Cory Lidle on various web sites. The City of West Covina and Lidle Family also provided me with various photos of Cory pitching and personal times with his family. As I continued my research my interest in him grew and I took on a personal relationship where I felt I became good friends with Cory as I studied the photos. My interest became so great that I was motivated to dedicate many extra hours to extreme detail, especially in the face, hands, uniform and glove. This was a very emotional and personally rewarding experience.” Don Hunt passed away in 2011.

The repairs to the sculpture was managed by Lesley Elwood of Elwood & Associates, with repairs done by Roger Green of Exclusive Welding; Mel Green-Structural Engineering; Sandy Decker of Decker Studios; and Rosa Lowinger & Associates.  Special thanks to Big League Dreams for their support and management of the repairs and for improving security at the complex.

Anyone with information about this crime is encouraged to contact the West Covina Police Department at (626) 939-8557.

For more information, about the dedication, please contact the Community Services Department at (626) 939-8430 or at www.westcovina.org.