Mark Fidrych was a pitcher for the Detroit Tigers when I was a kid. I remember watching him pitch many times in his short 5 year career. The colorful right-hander was the American League rookie of the year in 1976 when he went 19-9 with a 2.34 earned run average. That year he finished second in the Cy Young balloting. An injury really forced him to retire.
Mark Fidrych was nick named 'The Bird' because a coach thought he resembled the big yellow bird from Sesame Street, and it stuck. "The Bird" was known for delighting fans with his antics on the field. He would talk to the ball and often insist that certain balls be removed from the game because "they had hits in them." He was also very good to the fans, especially kids. Us Tiger fans really loved him....and loved watching him. I think I still may have a baseball signed by him (at my parents' house).
There is a little bit of mystery surrounding his death. The 54 yr. old was found by a friend under a truck. Apparently Fidrych was working on it at the time. I haven't seen any more information, yet. From what I've read, I don't know if the truck crushed him or what. It sounds like it, but I am sure more details will be released later.
He will be missed! It's another sad day for the baseball community.
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Comments: 20
This is very sad