Mark Fidrych: RIP

[JoltinJoe]

Any baseball fan from the 1970s has to be saddened by the news today of the death of Mark Fidrych, a colorful, talented pitcher who threw up a 19-9 record with a 2.34 ERA in his rookie season in 1976, only to see his career come to a very premature end due to injuries thereafter.

Fidrych was just fun to watch; memorable for the way he would stop and start talking to the baseball, telling it what he wanted it to do. More baseball players should have fun, and let it be known they are enjoying themselves, the way Fidrych did.

Couple of favorite Fidrych moments I actually saw. During a game with the Yankees, Graig Nettles is waiting at the plate, but Fidrych isn't getting ready to pitch. No, Fidrych is standing next to the mound, talking to the ball. So Nettles watches from the batter's box as Fidrych talks to the ball. Finally, Fidrych puts his foot against the rubber. Just then, Nettles calls for time, steps out of the batter's box, and starts talking to his bat.

In 1976, Fidrych beat the Yankees on Monday night baseball and was being interviewed after the game. He was asked about a pitch sequence in a critical situation, and he said something like, "So I'm thinking, shit, I can't throw a fastball ... oh shit, wait, did I just say 'shit?' on TV."

[BlueHen86]

Any baseball fan from the 1970s has to be saddened by the news today of the death of Mark Fidrych, a colorful, talented pitcher who threw up a 19-9 record with a 2.34 ERA in his rookie season in 1976, only to see his career come to a very premature end due to injuries thereafter.

Fidrych was just fun to watch; memorable for the way he would stop and start talking to the baseball, telling it what he wanted it to do. More baseball players should have fun, and let it be known they are enjoying themselves, the way Fidrych did.

Couple of favorite Fidrych moments I actually saw. During a game with the Yankees, Graig Nettles is waiting at the plate, but Fidrych isn't getting ready to pitch. No, Fidrych is standing next to the mound, talking to the ball. So Nettles watches from the batter's box as Fidrych talks to the ball. Finally, Fidrych puts his foot against the rubber. Just then, Nettles calls for time, steps out of the batter's box, and starts talking to his bat.

In 1976, Fidrych beat the Yankees on Monday night baseball and was being interviewed after the game. He was asked about a pitch sequence in a critical situation, and he said something like, "So I'm thinking, shit, I can't throw a fastball ... oh shit, wait, did I just say 'shit?' on TV."

Great story.

I saw Fidrych pitch in the 1976 all star game, he was the AL starter.

RIP Mark Fidrych

[dbackjon]

Mark “the Bird” Fidrych dies at 54
Former All-Star pitcher Mark “the Bird” Fidrych was found dead Monday in an apparent accident at his farm. He was 54.

Worcester County district attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. saids a family friend found Fidrych about 2:30 p.m. Monday beneath a dump truck at his Northborough, Mass., farm. He appeared to be working on the truck, Early said.

The colorful right-hander was the American League rookie of the year in 1976 when he went 19-9 with a 2.34 ERA. He spent all five of his major league seasons with the Detroit Tigers, compiling a 29-19 record and a 3.10 ERA.

His career was cut short by injuries.

Fidrych attempted a comeback in 1983 with the Boston Red Sox and went to their Triple A team in Pawtucket, R.I. But he never pitched in the majors after 1980 and retired in 1983.

The Worcester, Mass., native later owned a trucking business.

Fidrych acquired the nickname “the Bird” because of his resemblance to the Big Bird character on the Sesame Street television show. During games, he would bend down and groom the mound with his hands, appear to talk to the baseball and slap high fives with teammates in the middle of the diamond.

He started the 1976 All-Star game after opening the season with seven wins in eight decisions. He finished that season with 24 complete games.

But he tore knee cartilage during spring training the following year and was placed on the disabled list until May 24. He sustained a shoulder injury in July 1977 and ended up pitching in just 58 games during his major league career.

State police detectives are investigating the circumstances of his death, Early said.


http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=a ... &type=lgns


http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=a ... &type=lgns

Very sad...

Great character, career cut short by injuries

[Col Hogan]

Great character in his day...who will be missed...

[AshevilleApp]

RIP Mark. One of my favorite sporting moments was attending the Monday Night Baseball game against the Yankees. If I remember right, Fidrych struck Reggie Jackson out four times. It was a great night!