RIP-Mark Fidrych

by bluekoolaide on Apr 13, 2009 6:19 PM CDT Comment 14 comments

Mark Fidrych, as colorful and charismatic a pitcher as baseball has ever seen was found dead a few hours ago at his farm in Mass. at the too-young age of 54.

I still have fond memories of watching him pitch on Monday Night Baseball in 1976. His antics, which included talking to the baseball and rearranging the dirt on the mound in between innings, helped to demonstate to my then 12 year old self that baseball was, after all, about having fun. He was, at the same time though, a very good pitcher who won 19 games as a rookie, started for the AL in the all-star game and was a near unanimous ROY selection. Unfortunately, pre-pitch count era arm problems derailed his promising career.

It's unfortunate that, in today's game, there doesn't seem to be much room for "characters" like him. He was a true original though and I'm glad that I still have the memories of watching him during his magical summer. at the same time though, I suddenly feel a little bit oldsr than I did a few hours ago.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Oh, my.

This hasn’t been a good day for baseball. Fidrych is only two years older than I am. Frightening. My condolences to his family.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Apr 13, 2009 6:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Apparently,

It was actually because of a car accident.

"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti

by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 13, 2009 7:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not quite a car accident

He was found beneath a dump truck at his farm. He appeared to be working on the dump truck.

"I knew we were in for a long season when we lined up for the national anthem on opening day and one of my players said, 'Every time I hear that song I have a bad game.'" - Jim Leyland

by flachimesa on Apr 13, 2009 8:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Conflicting reports....dump truck or pickup truck

"I knew we were in for a long season when we lined up for the national anthem on opening day and one of my players said, 'Every time I hear that song I have a bad game.'" - Jim Leyland

by flachimesa on Apr 13, 2009 8:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

or week

I didn't get the players I wanted in the offseason!! Hopefully I get what I want in the Regular Season---The World Series Trophy!! Go Cubbies!!

by cubsluver22 on Apr 13, 2009 8:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Harry Kalas, Mark "The Bird" Fidrych and Marilyn Chambers all in

one felled swoop. I’ll be making a few toasts tonight for sure.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Apr 13, 2009 7:08 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

all contributed each in their own way ;-)

Milton "Porcelain Doll" Bradley.

by Emelie on Apr 13, 2009 8:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

76 was a great year for Tiger fans

…even though the team was lousy. I was 19, The Bird was a couple years older than me, and a hero. Some college buddies and I spent a few nights at Tiger Stadium during that season, including that very Monday night game against The Hated Yankees. Tiger Stadium was full and it was rocking.

I was from Battle Creek and never got to Detroit very much, so this was a really special treat. And back then the drinking age in Michigan was 18, so we got to hit the bars on Trumbull and drink more than our share of Stroh’s, just like real fans. What a night, it was big deal for us.

Here’s the box for that game. http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/DET/DET197606280.shtml A 32 year old Lou was playing for the Yankees but didn’t get into that game.

Here’s a 1985 interview with him including some goofy banter with Steve Stone and Jack Brickhouse at the end. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rm_jU0b5Hgw

I loved The Bird, RIP.

by mikeinseattle on Apr 13, 2009 8:54 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I went to the University of Michigan from 76 to 80 and I have very vivid memories of The Bird

pitching for the Tigers then. I went to a few games with buddies too and I remember that game as well. You are right about the drinking age, the year they moved it back up to 21, I was 20. My birthday is January 6 and they changed the date on January 1, so I was illegal for 6 days. Needles to say, it didn’t stop me much.

Detroit wasn’t quite the pit it is now and it was a big deal to drive there from Ann Arbor. That was a great time to be a baseball fan in the Motor City.

Go in peace, Bird.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Apr 13, 2009 9:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

An orginal

No one like him. Just a great guy according to all who knew him. Not a bad word ever said.
Boy what a rough week for Baseball.
Rest in Peace Bird.

"Have You heard of the Boom on Mizar 5?"

by Grockcubs on Apr 13, 2009 10:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

My Very First Baseball Hero

I was 11 years old living in the suburbs of Detroit when Fidrych hit the big time, and up until then I really had no interest in baseball. The Bird soon changed all that. I’ve stayed a Tigers fan my whole life, and I’m happy to say that Mark Fidrych was what started it all. And I’m still upset that Jim Palmer stole the Cy Young Award from him in 1976!

by CaliCub on Apr 13, 2009 11:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

The Bird was my first baseball hero, too. I grew up in West Michigan—and remember just being mesmerized by him. He was the first connection to baseball for me—he opened the door to this game that I love.

by queenmamarah1 on Apr 14, 2009 1:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

As I re-read about his career

It strikes me that he is the reason — or one of many — that we keep track of pitch counts now.

Maybe that will be his lasting legacy.

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on Apr 14, 2009 7:08 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Ken Holtzman Was Yankees Pitcher

in that Monday night baseball game in 1976 between the Yankees and Tigers. I was too young to remember that one. I saw the game not long ago on MLB Network. That was the only time I have seen full game footage of Ken Holtzman in action. I’ve seen the last outs of his Cubs no-hitters. I’ve also seen World Series highlight footage of Holtzman with Oakland. Holtzman was retired from baseball by the time I got interested in the game.

"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Apr 14, 2009 2:14 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs