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RIP, Mark Fidrych
I just heard on the news that Mark "The Bird" Fidrych has died. He was found on his farm, under his truck. He was 54 years old.
Fidrych was a pitcher for the Detroit Tigers, and rookie of the year, in 1976. He was a terrific pitcher, but what really set him apart were his antics on the mound. He would get down on his knees and "manicure" the pitcher's mound to his liking. He talked to the ball. He was tall and lanky and the way he moved reminded some of Big Bird, which is where the nickname came from. It was so much fun to watch him that he became a media star. How many baseball players make the cover of the Rolling Stone?
Unfortunately, injuries ended his career the following year, but Tiger fans never forgot him.
Fidrych was a pitcher for the Detroit Tigers, and rookie of the year, in 1976. He was a terrific pitcher, but what really set him apart were his antics on the mound. He would get down on his knees and "manicure" the pitcher's mound to his liking. He talked to the ball. He was tall and lanky and the way he moved reminded some of Big Bird, which is where the nickname came from. It was so much fun to watch him that he became a media star. How many baseball players make the cover of the Rolling Stone?
Unfortunately, injuries ended his career the following year, but Tiger fans never forgot him.
