Mark "The Bird" Fidrych Passes At Age 54

[Van_Slyke_CF]

Mark "The Bird" Fidrych died in an accident today. I don't remember him well because I was only a little kid, but I remember other family members at the time really enjoying his great rookie year of 1976, in which he went 19-9 and completed 24 of his 29 starts.

Any thoughts?

 

[Europe]

I don't know. What about the Mad Hungarian, Al hraboswky.

 

[Solomon Kane]

RIP. I remember that season and followed most of his starts. A real character, an eccentric. I rememberhim gardening the mound, and talking to himself and to the baseball!


and you're right Europe, Al Hrabosky was another one.

 

[jaxvid]

Wow, the Bird is dead. I remember his 1976 season like it was yesterday. Lotta fun. I had never see that kind of excitement at a ball game like when he pitched. You watched every move of the pitcher, he was so animated and into it, the way he talked to the ball all the time. He had a great year and it was tragic it didn't last longer for him. RIP

 

[LabMan]

Sad to hear about this guy passing,I remember his 1976 season well,and remember thinking I would enjoy catching one of his games.

 

[jaxvid]

Fidrych video

Here's a video clip of a 1985 interview, some short game clips too.

 

[Solomon Kane]

thanks for the baseball card and the link Jax, very interesting and brought back memories. a real downhome massachusetts guy and part of the lore of baseball. that's what's great about baseball, you can leave a permanent mark on the game even if you're not a hall of famer.

 

[Bart]

Fidrych video

Here's a video clip of a 1985 interview, some short game clips too.

I didn't know he was 6-0 before being injured the year after his great season. Never had a chance to cash in on big bucks either.

 

[white is right]

The video also showed that he wasn't a total wing nut like the media gave the impression that he was. I remember the 76' season and he was something like Fernando in 81'. RIP Bird...