Mark Fidrych RIP

It's hard to explain pitcher Mark Fidrych. If you never saw him pitch during his glory year, well you really missed out on something.

Fidrych was killed yesterday on his farm in Northborough, MA. He was 54 years old.

From the Boston Globe:

Fidrych’s baseball legacy is as one of its more memorable and enjoyable shooting stars in the sport’s history. In 1976 -- less than two full years after the Tigers selected the lanky righthander in the 10th round of the 1974 amateur draft out of Worcester Academy -- Fidrych made the Tigers’ Opening Day roster out of spring training as a non-roster invitee.

With his out-of-nowhere success, affable grin and unkempt curls -- he was nicknamed ‘‘The Bird,’’ after the Sesame Street character to whom he bore a resemblance -- it wasn’t long before the 21-year-old had an enormous following.

Fidrych’s starts soon became must-see events -- he appeared on the covers of ‘‘Sports Illustrated’’ (once with Big Bird) and ‘‘Rolling Stone,’’ among others. But his newfound celebrity did not hinder him on the mound.

I guess with the huge number of ex-baseball players out there, many have died tragically, per capita.

But gee - Billy Martin (ex-Tigers manager) gone in a truck crash, (Tigers first baseman) Stormin' Norman Cash drowned - OK, so they were both drunk at the time - and now The Bird.

Funny I never realized he was from MA, but as soon as I watched the clips on Flint Expatriates and he opened his mouth, I heard the accent.

At any rate, thanks to Fidrych for the great memories.