On a even more somber note today, I just read that Mark “The Bird” Fidrych passed away today. According to various reports, he was sadly discovered by a family friend underneath a dump truck that he had been working on at his home in Northboro, Mass. From the looks of it, he seems to have been a victim of an unfortunate accident.
“The Bird’s” career was fleeting, but memorable as he drafted in 1974 by the Detroit Tigers and made his MLB debut in 1976 where he took home AL Rookie of the Year. He packed the house in Detroit when he was on the mound and became a national phenomenon due his antics and eccentric nature. His career was cut short due to a rotator cuff injury in 1980; however, it goes without saying he’s not been forgotten by anyone who saw him perform.
RIP, Mark.
