Mark Fidrych found dead

[Bushay]

No link yet. Just came across my tv screen. Local news covering the story.

 

[trytrytry]

wow that is a sad story. what has he been doing past few years?

 

[Bushay]

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2009/04/fidrych_killed.html


Mark Fidrych, a Northborough native whose aw-shucks charm and on-the-mound antics helped make him a national phenomenon as a Detroit Tigers rookie pitcher in 1976, was killed in an accident in his hometown this afternoon while working on his pickup truck. He was 54.

Fidrych, who won 19 games as a rookie before injuries derailed his career, was found dead on his 107-acre farm this afternoon, according to the office of Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. Fidrych was found by a family friend underneath his truck at about 2:30 p.m.

 

[Bushay]

The Bird was such a great story here in Detroit back in 76'. I was to quite a few of his games that rookie season.

 

[FairWarning]

Probably the most down-to-earth athlete I've ever met.

 

[joebatters]

Man, that is sad. 'The Bird' did a lot for rejuvinating baseball in the '70s.
Always a packed house when he was on the mound, and they stayed and cheered him after the game also. May he rest in peace.

 

[festeringZit]

Loved following his career back in the 70's.

RIP

 

[michael777]

saw him pitch at tiger stadium,this is very sad news

 

[BostonBettor]

What a day - Harry Kalas, Bruce Snyder, and now "The Bird". This really sucks.

 

[wilheim]

Mark "The Bird" Fidrych RIP..

Real shame to go by a freak accident.

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[joebatters]

The more I think about it, Mark Fidrych did so much for the game of baseball. Before he came along, in the mid-70s, baseball was not considered cool. His story and personality made baseball and being a fan of the game cool again. There weren't too many others in the long history of baseball who had such a positive impact on the game. Man, this is sad.

 

[MikeB]

Very sad news indeed.

 

[billhill999]

I'm shocked, when I was a senior in HS this guy was all the talk.

 

[WorldNumberOne]

exactly why i dont work on my own car..

i grew up in michigan and was in 9th grade . the state went ape shit over that guy.. great year...

 

[FairWarning]

Fidrych was the first active athlete on the cover of Rolling Stone .

 

[JoeFalls]

if i recall, he said in the rolling stone article, that he had lost his virginity on the pitchers mound of his hometown. it raised some eyebrows, back in the day.

electric stuff when he was on.

rip

 

[RickA]

Really sad.

My dad took me to see him pitch at Anaheim Stadium - http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1977/B06060CAL1977.htm

 

[simonboy]

Very sad turn of events--- the bird great draw -and quite ironic--appeared to be a screwball but in reality quite grounded--rest in peace mark