Bird, I wept today when I heard of your passing. I'll never forget that incredible year you had in 1976 for our Detroit Tigers. You were a wonderful person and hero for me. I caught every game you played. RIP. God bless your family.
I was 6 years old at the August 25, 1976 win against the White Sox - Bird gave me the ball after the game! I still have it today in my office!! Miss you Bird!! I think of you often!
The Bird gave t-shirts.. etc...he made sure..he acknowledged his fans..think that my t-shirt got burnt up in my mobile home fire cause I have not found it... good guy..yes I like the st. Louis Cardinals cuz I'm from Missouri in the world series when me and my ex got married.. but this Appalachian hillbilly love the bird..
I met Fidrych when Jason Thompson introduced him to me when I was 9 years old. Jason was a friend of our family ( his dad and my dad knew other and were friends). Jason was always really super nice. But Fidrych was fascinating for 9 yr old me. Great to see this.
This amazing Man was not given his just due for a game he done so much for! No invitations to fill a different role, no Hollywood Movie opportunities, no autograph signings or paid interview spot's, etc, etc, no MLB forgot him as fast as he bursted on the scene and they should be absolutely ashamed of themselves! It's all about the money and to hell with a Man who packed stadiums and made so many smile. To Hell with MLB is nothing but a people using business with no appreciation for a Man such as Mark "Bird" Fidrych! But those who were Blessed enough to witness him will never forget the Joy he brought to the Game! God Keep You Bird...
The Bird was the word in Detroit for a far too brief period of the mid-1970s. Made me a life-long Tiger fan. We need more down to earth players like him.
I was at a game several years ago at Fenway and there was a tall guy with curly hair sitting next to me. I started chatting with him and asked if anyone had ever told him that he resembled Mark Fidrych. He gave a big smile and said in a Mass accent " I am Mock Fidrych." He was a hero of mine growing up so you can imagine what an experience it was to sit next to him at a ballgame. Very genuine and as you would imagine eccentric - in a good way.
I have met a LOT of famous people in my travels, especially in decades of first-class upgrades on Northwest Airlines and Delta out of and to Detroit Metro airport. I have, however, only ONE autograph of a famous person in my house, and I cherish it: Mark Fydrich. My dad got it for me on a Proctor & Gamble business trip to Chicago in '76 at a game in Comiskey Park against the Sox. Mark's perspective, attitude, priorities, et al, are admirable to me. I wish I could've met him and talked to him before his untimely death. He's with me in spirit. Love, from Cheboygan, Michigan!
I remember all the hype of the '76 season regarding the Bird. Everybody on my little league team had an impersonation of him. I thought he was cool, because he was so different. His career ended too soon, and he was taken from this world so young. RIP Bird, you were a shooting star.
He WAS the 1976 season. As a Red Sox fan and Mass. native I had to cheer for the guy, It was only one great year but it was a helluva memory. Career was too short, life was too short. But we got to see him .....a great memory.
Yep, one great year. He was the Bicentennial Bird. Also, 1976 was Peter Frampton’s “one great year.” So the two curly long-haired guys are connected in my mind.
One of Detroit's greatest. I remember when we brought him to a baseball card show in Michigan about 20 years ago. The line to get his autograph, even years after he last pitched in Detroit, stretched all through the mall. He had agreed to come and sign for two hours, but there were so many people that he ended up running a half hour overtime. He didn't turn anyone away. What a class act. He will be missed.
I was a cook in Marks hometown Northboro, Ma. in 1976. One night while I was cleaning up my boss came in and asked me if I would make a sandwich for this guy out at the bar and when I went out there to deliver it there was Mark, He was a regular guy with his long bushy hair and his dungaree jacket. It was one story I have told many times since that day in "76".
My brother told me he met Mark in a Northboro tavern years back. Farm life is hard and dangerous now. Imagine what it was like years ago with no phones or ambulances or even medical care anywhere.
I grew up next door to mark and used to go over to his house when I was young, he’d show me his sheep and cows, I really got a kick out of it. Didn’t even know who he was until after he died. He was a great guy and a memorable part of my childhood. RIP
I was a sports writer at a little paper called The Ypsilanti Press and I covered Bird's first start at Tiger Stadium against the Indians. He carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning. About the sixth inning, JIm Hawkins of the Detroit Free Press passed a hat around in the press box with the numbers in the Indians' batting order, as to who from Cleveland would get the first hit. I had the winning number, as Buddy Bell ripped a double for the Tribe to break up the no-no. But what a story Mark was. By the end of the summer of '76, you'd see 50,000 every night at Tiger Stadium with hundreds of people in the bleachers in Big Bird costumes.
Wonderful man, as a Northboro MA resident in the 80's and 90's I saw him often, later on he was almost always with his daughter and his love for her was so obvious. Just a very good man who figured out what was important. res In Peace Mark.
I was at the 2005 All-Star Game in Detroit. He was sitting with Cal Ripken and Cecil Fielder. We spotted Fidrych, and Ripken. Both players signed autographs for anybody that came up to them no questions asked or attitude whatsoever. It was always great hearing about his magical season of 1976, and how he had to face the dangerous National League starting the 1976 All-Star Game. RIP Bird
I still remember that magical season in 1976. I really wished that he had not got hurt and had pitched a few years. It was still enjoyable to watch him when he did pitch. RIP Mark.
For one glorious season, he was baseball in Detroit. However, even after he was gone, we still remember him. Thank you Mark Fidrych for all of the wonderful memories from 1976. You were great!
"you wan me tah get the groundcrew aht heah evreytime?" Funny how it makes perfect sense. He was a unique character. He did it without shoving team employees, spiking people, having an outlandish ego, or being nothing but offensive. There will never be another like him. RIP
I remember seeing him in Port Huron Hospital when I was a kid. He was in for surgery and he stopped by to see everyone in the rooms to say hi and sign autographs. I got his autograph on a ball which my dad had to go get that day. He was kind enough to come back when I had the ball and sign it. He was a true kind gentleman.
This guy was baseball!! I'm from Detroit and he was just awesome his rookie year. Just saw his pitching performance against the Yankees on MLB Network!! He was lights out! R.I.P Bird!
I turned 14 in 1976, and was a life-long Tigers fan living in Grand Rapids...I still smile when I think about Mark. Think of HIM in 1984 alongside Morris, Petry & Wilcox. What could have been....
mark died this year: 4/13/2009 he was a great guy. i never knew him, but i watched him play and got a kick out of him. listening to him on this clip made me feel like i knew him a little better. he will be missed.
I met him when I was 14 he talked with me for at least a half hour SO NICE you wouldn't believe it. One of my most cherished memories ever and always will be
I only found this because he passed. I wasn't even born when he played and didnt know much about him. This guy was beautiful. He embodied all that is americana and baseball. There has to be a great movie made of this guys life. I think he tells us so much about ourselves because he was so much what we all are. R.I.P. bird I am glad I know a little about you.
Anyone who lived in Mich. in 1976 remembers this guy. He was absolutely awesome to watch; even when he didn't get the win. Wish we had more like him now. A great American!
He was a very special person. He really brought people joy, and that was as much his gift as his pitching. I miss him. The world really could use more people like him.
What a guy. Though it would’ve been interesting to see what a prolonged career may have brought, it makes that one great season all the sweeter. Seems that he was a happy guy right up until his untimely end, which is the important thing.
Mark was one of the best people you could have known, the world could use more men like him. The game of baseball lost one of it's brightest stars. He put Northborough on the map and was an inspiration to many, I consider it a privilege having known him, Chet's, and Lowe's won't be the same with out you. RIP Mark.
I had the honor, and privilege, of seeing Mark pitch for Detroit back in 1976 and 1977. This was a great ballplayer, truly one of a kind. Back then, he could have been the mayor of Detroit. Even the opposing team's fans loved the guy. This is a sad day for me, and my fellow Tiger fans who were able to see him play and be a part of his short baseball career. God bless you Mark - you were awesome! Bobby
Continued.... I send my sincere thoughts & prayers to his family. friends & former teammates. It may have been 33 years ago we all saw your debut Mark, but we will never forget you.... Heaven has just gained a little more personality.
1:04 Mark kept in contact with Joe William Louis (Fall River, Massachusetts) for the rest of their lives. Joe retired managing in 1981 from the Bristol Tigers and returned home. Louis died in 1996 at the age of 65. The next year the baseball field at Durfee High School was dedicated in his honor, Mark Fydrich attended the ceremony never forgetting his friend and manager who hailed from his home state. The plaque dedicated reads: "Joseph W. "Skip" Lewis Jr. Memorial Baseball Field, An Educator, Coach, and Friend to all."
I remember the game in 1976 against the yankees on ABC-TV. after the game the fans called him out for a curtain-call and he had tears in his eyes. that's when ball players appreciated the game and didn't whine like children the way they do today.
I'm not pointing fingers, but the Bird's workload for a bad team in 76 was enormous. It was his first year in the majors. He started 29 games and completed 24. Back then it wasn't the norm to protect pitchers' arms as a preventative measure. Never mind the innings pitched: he started on three days rest THIRTEEN TIMES!! Seven of those thirteen were in Detroit. Twice he pitched on three-days rest after pitching more than 9 innings. Prior to his first big-league start in May 15th, he had only pitched 1 inning in the majors. All this for a Tigers' team that was out of it by mid-June. That workload had to have had a BIG impact. Detroit tried to get the Bird in their as often as possible, preferably at home, though in some ways it didn't matter whether it was on the road or at home, since his starting a game would ensure a big draw no matter where they were playing. Plus, gate receipts are split between the two competing teams. Although I can imagine there were instances where Detroit had him pitch on three days rest since the next day they were on the road and they wanted to ensure a good home turnout to create goodwill with fans and make more on concessions and parking, since those go entirely to the home team.
As I mentioned in another post, I covered the Tigers and the Bird as a sports writer during the 1976 season. As I remember, the Tigers did, indeed, seem to work Mark's schedule so he could have more starts at Tiger Stadium and get some bigger gates for a 74-87 team. But in fairness to the Tigers, ALL the teams went for the CGs back then. Among the 12 American League teams, there were 590 TOTAL complete games, or an average of 49 per team. Yes, Mark led the league with 24 CGs, but Frank Tanana and Jim Palmer had 23 CGs each, Bert Blyleven had 22, while Nolan Ryan, Gaylord Perry and Catfish Hunter 21 each. And, I do remember one time when the Angels BEGGED the Tigers to pitch Mark on short rest so they could fill up the Big A. The Tigers refused when this was one time when the Bird would pitch the next night in Detroit...on schedule. The Tigers and the Bird did a little compromise, though. They allowed the Angels to set up a card table under the stands so Fidrych could sign autographs.
William Snyder dang, good reporting facts on that year. I’m still mad at the big red machine in 75. Although we’ve made up for it and fixing to repeat in 2019.
Yes, mark was the gate. They estimated the Tigers earned $3 to 5 million dollars profit in gate and merchandise from his popularity. They over pitched him, and seemed not to think twice about keeping his pitch count down.
He was the phenom of 1976, I remember it well as a 13 year old obsessed with baseball. He had something magical. What a shame he was out of the game so soon.
I was too young too remember him play. I used to see him on ESPN Classic and read books and articles about him. He seem ed to be full of life and a genuine, down to earth fellow. RIP Bird.
"When you ever think that you got it made, and you're irreplaceable, you're wrong...because you find that out as soon as your gone" Sorry Mark...you got it wrong. YOU ARE irreplaceable.
He lived lemon tree when he was playing for the Detroit it was not too far from my home I was like 8 or 9 years old he would come over and help me become a better I played in a little league for the Astros in Belleville Michigan he was full of compassion a caring individual that helped everybody he was my idle he would come into my house I would take him into the basement where I practice on rainy days he was quite amazed that I was so dedicated I had a box marked out on the concrete wall in the basement for a man like that to come to the ghetto it was apartment he would walk right down the middle of the and I would walk I felt like I was on top of the world when I was he's a legend that's how I see him ❤ when I heard of his death there was a piece inside of me that died also that day there's a space in my heart that he created that help me move forward in life no matter what was in your way to always push forward and dreams do come true.❤
I was at Mark's last game as a Tiger. I've forgoten the year but it was Al Kaline day at Tiger Stadium (the first ?# of fans got pictures of Kaline). It was a double header v. Texas and I caught a long foul ball off the bat of Ranger's third baseman Buddy Bell. It was Gonzalez and not Fidrych who pitched the ball but I still have both the memory of the day and the ball. Thanks Bird, I'm still a fan.
What a cool, down to earth, funny guy. What a shame his career was so short. Too bad there arent more like him---how refreshing that would be in this era of arrogant, overpaid, spoiled, selfish, juiced up,........
"Yeah, I'm filling up the hole. I don't like it. What do you want me to do? Stop the game every time? Get the grounds crew? Grounds crew, fix the mound." LOLOL! Classic Bird.
He reminds me of the guys I played with during my 7 years of Little League ball in Windsor, Ontario Canada. Meeting and playing all those guys, their parents, coaches was the joy of Little League. Fidrych displays the joy of his love of baseball in this video, even after he had to leave the game.
I Live in Mark's home town of , Northborough MA, I live just minutes from memorial Field and used to see him around town Mark was a great baseball player but more importantly he was a great guy, and a class act. R.I.P. Mark were going to miss you everyday.
As a kid growing up near Detroit, all of us kids loved "The Bird". I miss him already. He was a real cool cat and original guy. And a helluva pitcher. A real bright light on some mediocre Tiger teams of the 70's.
I watched his first game, as a 19 year old kid & was so taken by him & his persona; what a breath of fresh air he brought to the game. And to learn of the tragic manner in which he passed... Such a joy to watch was Mark that I made every effort to watch any & every game he pitched. But people on the fringe lose sight, or never knew, beyond his on the mound behavior, he was a great pitcher & was so sorry to then learn of his shoulder problem, & we were denied seeing him pitch ever again.
I got to see him play in Oakland when i was young and it was the most exciting game ive ever seen the freeway to the stadiom was unreal cops had to direct trafic on freeway and all the stuffed big birds at the park were unreal ive tryed for years to find a video of one of his games and never could find one im so happy after all these years i got to see this clip youtube Rocks !!
You can tell from the interview he was just a great guy. Down to Earth. I'm a big Yankee fan from New York! I remember that game! God bless you and your family Mark. You are missed!
In the early '90s I had a chance to meet Fidrych when my family brought him in to sign autographs at a baseball card show in Michigan. He was an awesome human being, and even 10 years past his prime, the line to get his autograph stretched through half the mall.
I was 13 and an aspiring pitcher myself when he burst onto the scene. The Bird was one of a kind. My dad and I watched his Monday night game and the All Star game on our black and white TV. We loved the Bird!!! One day in 1997 I bumped into him at a mall in Springfield, MA. Ironically I ended up having a great high school pitching career and tore my cuff in 1980 and none of the docs could diagnose the problem either. Thanks for the memories Mark The Bird!! Rest in Peace.
I've often thought that The Bird was the inspiration for the character Ebby Calvin "Nuke" LaLoosh in the movie Bull Durham. "It feels out there. I mean, it's a major rush. I mean, it feels radical in kind of a tubular sort of way, but most of all, it feels out there.” Sure sounds like the Bird to me.
I saw the Bird strike out Hank Aaron on Memorial Day 1976 at Tiger Stadium, it was Aaron's last season with Milwaukee. I also have an autographed ball signed by him. It's sad that he only had the one year. Damn he was good though.
Notice how forthright and honest this guy is? "I was keeping that to myself (recently had shoulder surgery). I wasn't gonna tell anybody" He can't help himself! He loved baseball, loved his fans. A-Rod could take an ENORMOUS lesson from this great baseball legend! (Not to change the subject on this video, but I don't even care what A-Rod has done - I'd just like him to speak 'off the cuff' like ol Fidrych.)
I remember him on that Monday night baseball when he pitched a great game and beat the hated Yankees! The fans would not go home until he came back out! The chills I got that night! The fans around the league used to filled them up just to see him pitch! Maybe the proper word is performed! The Big Bird! RIP! We will all miss you! I am sure right now he is striking out Ruth,Gehrig,Cobb and the other greats!
We need a guy like him today in baseball, yes we like to see the home runs, and we also love to see the great pitchers but Mark really made it fun to watch his antics are hilarious
It's too bad about Mark 'The Bird' Fidrych. I remember back in '76 when he turned the metro Detroit area upside down. He was easily the most popular guy in Detroit that summer. Mark will be missed. R.I.P, Mark.
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Bird, I wept today when I heard of your passing. I'll never forget that incredible year you had in 1976 for our Detroit Tigers. You were a wonderful person and hero for me. I caught every game you played. RIP. God bless your family.
I was 6 years old at the August 25, 1976 win against the White Sox - Bird gave me the ball after the game! I still have it today in my office!! Miss you Bird!! I think of you often!
Lucky you!! I loved Mark... He was so down to earth genuine! I miss the guy still 😢
Damn. Now that is a memory.
Ya lucky bastid! :P
The Bird gave t-shirts.. etc...he made sure..he acknowledged his fans..think that my t-shirt got burnt up in my mobile home fire cause I have not found it... good guy..yes I like the st. Louis Cardinals cuz I'm from Missouri in the world series when me and my ex got married.. but this Appalachian hillbilly love the bird..
I was also 6. I loved him then and since
As a fellow Northborough, MA resident, I was fortunate enough to meet him a few times and he was so incredibly nice.
R.I.P.
I met Fidrych when Jason Thompson introduced him to me when I was 9 years old. Jason was a friend of our family ( his dad and my dad knew other and were friends). Jason was always really super nice.
But Fidrych was fascinating for 9 yr old me. Great to see this.
Really sad death, that one. He was one of those who actually seemed to get that he was playing a game for a living. Rare.
RIP Mark, one of the greatest characters the game will ever know and a nice guy above all else.
this world could sure use aa lot more Mark Fidrych's in the game today!!
Totally agree! This guy was so unique and rare but his love for the game was genuine and it was a treasure to watch! R.I.P. the Bird🙏
This amazing Man was not given his just due for a game he done so much for! No invitations to fill a different role, no Hollywood Movie opportunities, no autograph signings or paid interview spot's, etc, etc, no MLB forgot him as fast as he bursted on the scene and they should be absolutely ashamed of themselves! It's all about the money and to hell with a Man who packed stadiums and made so many smile. To Hell with MLB is nothing but a people using business with no appreciation for a Man such as Mark "Bird" Fidrych! But those who were Blessed enough to witness him will never forget the Joy he brought to the Game! God Keep You Bird...
The Bird was the word in Detroit for a far too brief period of the mid-1970s. Made me a life-long Tiger fan. We need more down to earth players like him.
I was at a game several years ago at Fenway and there was a tall guy with curly hair sitting next to me. I started chatting with him and asked if anyone had ever told him that he resembled Mark Fidrych. He gave a big smile and said in a Mass accent " I am Mock Fidrych." He was a hero of mine growing up so you can imagine what an experience it was to sit next to him at a ballgame. Very genuine and as you would imagine eccentric - in a good way.
He was an ambassador to the game of baseball, and he will always be remembered for it.
I have met a LOT of famous people in my travels, especially in decades of first-class upgrades on Northwest Airlines and Delta out of and to Detroit Metro airport. I have, however, only ONE autograph of a famous person in my house, and I cherish it: Mark Fydrich. My dad got it for me on a Proctor & Gamble business trip to Chicago in '76 at a game in Comiskey Park against the Sox. Mark's perspective, attitude, priorities, et al, are admirable to me. I wish I could've met him and talked to him before his untimely death. He's with me in spirit. Love, from Cheboygan, Michigan!
Nice I'm bout 30 mins away in onaway mi
I remember all the hype of the '76 season regarding the Bird. Everybody on my little league team had an impersonation of him. I thought he was cool, because he was so different. His career ended too soon, and he was taken from this world so young. RIP Bird, you were a shooting star.
He WAS the 1976 season. As a Red Sox fan and Mass. native I had to cheer for the guy, It was only one great year but it was a helluva memory. Career was too short, life was too short. But we got to see him .....a great memory.
Yep, one great year. He was the Bicentennial Bird. Also, 1976 was Peter Frampton’s “one great year.” So the two curly long-haired guys are connected in my mind.
One of Detroit's greatest. I remember when we brought him to a baseball card show in Michigan about 20 years ago. The line to get his autograph, even years after he last pitched in Detroit, stretched all through the mall. He had agreed to come and sign for two hours, but there were so many people that he ended up running a half hour overtime. He didn't turn anyone away. What a class act. He will be missed.
RIP "Bird". The world and sports needs more people like you. Big shoes to fill imo.
This guy had a great personality. RIP
I was a cook in Marks hometown Northboro, Ma. in 1976. One night while I was cleaning up my boss came in and asked me if I would make a sandwich for this guy out at the bar and when I went out there to deliver it there was Mark, He was a regular guy with his long bushy hair and his dungaree jacket. It was one story I have told many times since that day in "76".
My brother told me he met Mark in a Northboro tavern years back. Farm life is hard and dangerous now. Imagine what it was like years ago with no phones or ambulances or even medical care anywhere.
I grew up next door to mark and used to go over to his house when I was young, he’d show me his sheep and cows, I really got a kick out of it. Didn’t even know who he was until after he died. He was a great guy and a memorable part of my childhood. RIP
I thought you were talking about Northgate (his childhood home) until you mentioned the sheep and cows.
I was a sports writer at a little paper called The Ypsilanti Press and I covered Bird's first start at Tiger Stadium against the Indians. He carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning. About the sixth inning, JIm Hawkins of the Detroit Free Press passed a hat around in the press box with the numbers in the Indians' batting order, as to who from Cleveland would get the first hit. I had the winning number, as Buddy Bell ripped a double for the Tribe to break up the no-no. But what a story Mark was. By the end of the summer of '76, you'd see 50,000 every night at Tiger Stadium with hundreds of people in the bleachers in Big Bird costumes.
rip bird you gave us a real treat here in detroit.
And to baseball!
A loss off a wondeful human being and one in a millon...Rest in Peace Mark! You will be missed forever...
Wonderful man, as a Northboro MA resident in the 80's and 90's I saw him often, later on he was almost always with his daughter and his love for her was so obvious. Just a very good man who figured out what was important. res In Peace Mark.
I was at the 2005 All-Star Game in Detroit. He was sitting with Cal Ripken and Cecil Fielder.
We spotted Fidrych, and Ripken. Both players signed autographs for anybody that came up to them no questions asked or attitude whatsoever.
It was always great hearing about his magical season of 1976, and how he had to face the dangerous National League starting the 1976 All-Star Game.
RIP Bird
I still remember that magical season in 1976. I really wished that he had not got hurt and had pitched a few years. It was still enjoyable to watch him when he did pitch.
RIP Mark.
For one glorious season, he was baseball in Detroit. However, even after he was gone, we still remember him. Thank you Mark Fidrych for all of the wonderful memories from 1976. You were great!
"you wan me tah get the groundcrew aht heah evreytime?" Funny how it makes perfect sense.
He was a unique character. He did it without shoving team employees, spiking people, having an outlandish ego, or being nothing but offensive. There will never be another like him.
RIP
Rest in peace to my hero.
Quite exciting times, back then.
Saw him pummel my Yankees 9/12/1976. I was 10 years old, at Yankee Stadium.
In sic transit
I remember seeing him in Port Huron Hospital when I was a kid. He was in for surgery and he stopped by to see everyone in the rooms to say hi and sign autographs. I got his autograph on a ball which my dad had to go get that day.
He was kind enough to come back when I had the ball and sign it.
He was a true kind gentleman.
This guy was baseball!! I'm from Detroit and he was just awesome his rookie year. Just saw his pitching performance against the Yankees on MLB Network!! He was lights out! R.I.P Bird!
The bird will always be remembered... RIP
There will never be another Bird, what extraordinarily nice guy.. 1976 was a wonderful experience for all of us 👍
Thanks for the post!
I turned 14 in 1976, and was a life-long Tigers fan living in Grand Rapids...I still smile when I think about Mark. Think of HIM in 1984 alongside Morris, Petry & Wilcox. What could have been....
Mark would be driving his truck through Worcester,Ma. He would always wave and say Hi!!! Met him at a Little League bbanquet, what a nice person.
mark died this year: 4/13/2009
he was a great guy. i never knew him, but i watched him play and got a kick out of him. listening to him on this clip made me feel like i knew him a little better.
he will be missed.
He was a dandy
I met him when I was 14 he talked with me for at least a half hour SO NICE you wouldn't believe it. One of my most cherished memories ever and always will be
I only found this because he passed. I wasn't even born when he played and didnt know much about him. This guy was beautiful. He embodied all that is americana and baseball. There has to be a great movie made of this guys life. I think he tells us so much about ourselves because he was so much what we all are. R.I.P. bird I am glad I know a little about you.
Rest in Peace , Great one!
Anyone who lived in Mich. in 1976 remembers this guy. He was absolutely awesome to watch; even when he didn't get the win. Wish we had more like him now. A great American!
He was a very special person. He really brought people joy, and that was as much his gift as his pitching. I miss him. The world really could use more people like him.
What a guy. Though it would’ve been interesting to see what a prolonged career may have brought, it makes that one great season all the sweeter. Seems that he was a happy guy right up until his untimely end, which is the important thing.
I loved that interview.
Mark was one of the best people you could have known, the world could use more men like him. The game of baseball lost one of it's brightest stars. He put Northborough on the map and was an inspiration to many, I consider it a privilege having known him, Chet's, and Lowe's won't be the same with out you. RIP Mark.
I had the honor, and privilege, of seeing Mark pitch for Detroit back in 1976 and 1977. This was a great ballplayer, truly one of a kind. Back then, he could have been the mayor of Detroit. Even the opposing team's fans loved the guy. This is a sad day for me, and my fellow Tiger fans who were able to see him play and be a part of his short baseball career. God bless you Mark - you were awesome!
Bobby
Thanks for making baseball fun again back in 1976
The Bird will be a Legend here in Central Massachusetts
Continued....
I send my sincere thoughts & prayers to his family. friends & former teammates.
It may have been 33 years ago we all saw your debut Mark, but we will never forget you....
Heaven has just gained a little more personality.
1:04 Mark kept in contact with Joe William Louis (Fall River, Massachusetts) for the rest of their lives. Joe retired managing in 1981 from the Bristol Tigers and returned home. Louis died in 1996 at the age of 65. The next year the baseball field at Durfee High School was dedicated in his honor, Mark Fydrich attended the ceremony never forgetting his friend and manager who hailed from his home state.
The plaque dedicated reads:
"Joseph W. "Skip" Lewis Jr. Memorial Baseball Field, An Educator, Coach, and Friend to all."
He worked quick. Umpires love that. He got alot of close pitches from them. He was great. He never turned into a jerk. (at least I hope he didn't)
this guy couldn't possibly turn into a jerk--wasn't in him
He never changed
Was the same way until the day he passed. Very genuine. R.I.P.
I remember the game in 1976 against the yankees on ABC-TV. after the game the fans called him out for a curtain-call and he had tears in his eyes. that's when ball players appreciated the game and didn't whine like children the way they do today.
I met Mark at a baseball school in Florida in 1984. He was a real good guy. RIP
I'm not pointing fingers, but the Bird's workload for a bad team in 76 was enormous. It was his first year in the majors. He started 29 games and completed 24. Back then it wasn't the norm to protect pitchers' arms as a preventative measure. Never mind the innings pitched: he started on three days rest THIRTEEN TIMES!! Seven of those thirteen were in Detroit. Twice he pitched on three-days rest after pitching more than 9 innings. Prior to his first big-league start in May 15th, he had only pitched 1 inning in the majors. All this for a Tigers' team that was out of it by mid-June. That workload had to have had a BIG impact. Detroit tried to get the Bird in their as often as possible, preferably at home, though in some ways it didn't matter whether it was on the road or at home, since his starting a game would ensure a big draw no matter where they were playing. Plus, gate receipts are split between the two competing teams. Although I can imagine there were instances where Detroit had him pitch on three days rest since the next day they were on the road and they wanted to ensure a good home turnout to create goodwill with fans and make more on concessions and parking, since those go entirely to the home team.
I agree. They totally misused this guy and that explains his short career.
As I mentioned in another post, I covered the Tigers and the Bird as a sports writer during the 1976 season. As I remember, the Tigers did, indeed, seem to work Mark's schedule so he could have more starts at Tiger Stadium and get some bigger gates for a 74-87 team. But in fairness to the Tigers, ALL the teams went for the CGs back then. Among the 12 American League teams, there were 590 TOTAL complete games, or an average of 49 per team. Yes, Mark led the league with 24 CGs, but Frank Tanana and Jim Palmer had 23 CGs each, Bert Blyleven had 22, while Nolan Ryan, Gaylord Perry and Catfish Hunter 21 each. And, I do remember one time when the Angels BEGGED the Tigers to pitch Mark on short rest so they could fill up the Big A. The Tigers refused when this was one time when the Bird would pitch the next night in Detroit...on schedule. The Tigers and the Bird did a little compromise, though. They allowed the Angels to set up a card table under the stands so Fidrych could sign autographs.
Daniel Zanier. On the road opposing teams wanted him to start for those gate receipts.
William Snyder dang, good reporting facts on that year. I’m still mad at the big red machine in 75. Although we’ve made up for it and fixing to repeat in 2019.
Yes, mark was the gate. They estimated the Tigers earned $3 to 5 million dollars profit in gate and merchandise from his popularity. They over pitched him, and seemed not to think twice about keeping his pitch count down.
Someone really needs to make a movie about this guy.
He was the phenom of 1976, I remember it well as a 13 year old obsessed with baseball. He had something magical. What a shame he was out of the game so soon.
You've got to love Mark Fidrych.....we miss you Mark !!!
I was too young too remember him play. I used to see him on ESPN Classic and read books and articles about him. He seem ed to be full of life and a genuine, down to earth fellow.
RIP Bird.
when I listen to this guy I realize how upside down our society is. people take themselves way too seriously and that is sad.
I live in the town where this is fimed, Northborough, and I played on that field as a kid. He really was a big part of that town.
"When you ever think that you got it made, and you're irreplaceable, you're wrong...because you find that out as soon as your gone"
Sorry Mark...you got it wrong. YOU ARE irreplaceable.
He lived lemon tree when he was playing for the Detroit it was not too far from my home I was like 8 or 9 years old he would come over and help me become a better I played in a little league for the Astros in Belleville Michigan he was full of compassion a caring individual that helped everybody he was my idle he would come into my house I would take him into the basement where I practice on rainy days he was quite amazed that I was so dedicated I had a box marked out on the concrete wall in the basement for a man like that to come to the ghetto it was apartment he would walk right down the middle of the and I would walk I felt like I was on top of the world when I was he's a legend that's how I see him ❤ when I heard of his death there was a piece inside of me that died also that day there's a space in my heart that he created that help me move forward in life no matter what was in your way to always push forward and dreams do come true.❤
Hard to believe he's dead. RIP bird.
I was at Mark's last game as a Tiger. I've forgoten the year but it was Al Kaline day at Tiger Stadium (the first ?# of fans got pictures of Kaline). It was a double header v. Texas and I caught a long foul ball off the bat of Ranger's third baseman Buddy Bell. It was Gonzalez and not Fidrych who pitched the ball but I still have both the memory of the day and the ball. Thanks Bird, I'm still a fan.
I was at the game in Rhode Island at McCoy Stadium for the Pawsox. Mark's last moment of glory. RIP great guy.
What a cool, down to earth, funny guy. What a shame his career was so short. Too bad there arent more like him---how refreshing that would be in this era of arrogant, overpaid, spoiled, selfish, juiced up,........
It is sad. I met him a couple of times in person, and I did a little coin trick, he was amazed!! Got his autograph.. RIP Mark.
"Yeah, I'm filling up the hole. I don't like it. What do you want me to do? Stop the game every time? Get the grounds crew? Grounds crew, fix the mound." LOLOL! Classic Bird.
He reminds me of the guys I played with during my 7 years of Little League ball in Windsor, Ontario Canada. Meeting and playing all those guys, their parents, coaches was the joy of Little League. Fidrych displays the joy of his love of baseball in this video, even after he had to leave the game.
I Live in Mark's home town of , Northborough MA, I live just minutes from memorial Field and used to see him around town Mark was a great baseball player but more importantly he was a great guy, and a class act.
R.I.P. Mark were going to miss you everyday.
I wish that there were movies on The Bird!!
As a kid growing up near Detroit, all of us kids loved "The Bird". I miss him already. He was a real cool cat and original guy. And a helluva pitcher. A real bright light on some mediocre Tiger teams of the 70's.
R.I.P., my childhood hero! You will be missed. There hasn't been a Tiger, or a Baseballer like you in a long time.
I watched his first game, as a 19 year old kid & was so taken by him & his persona; what a breath of fresh air he brought to the game. And to learn of the tragic manner in which he passed...
Such a joy to watch was Mark that I made every effort to watch any & every game he pitched. But people on the fringe lose sight, or never knew, beyond his on the mound behavior, he was a great pitcher & was so sorry to then learn of his shoulder problem, & we were denied seeing him pitch ever again.
I got to see him play in Oakland when i was young and it was the most exciting game ive ever seen the freeway to the stadiom was unreal cops had to direct trafic on freeway and all the stuffed big birds at the park were unreal ive tryed for years to find a video of one of his games and never could find one im so happy after all these years i got to see this clip youtube Rocks !!
Hoppy
You can tell from the interview he was just a great guy. Down to Earth. I'm a big Yankee fan from New York! I remember that game! God bless you and your family Mark. You are missed!
In the early '90s I had a chance to meet Fidrych when my family brought him in to sign autographs at a baseball card show in Michigan. He was an awesome human being, and even 10 years past his prime, the line to get his autograph stretched through half the mall.
I was 13 and an aspiring pitcher myself when he burst onto the scene. The Bird was one of a kind. My dad and I watched his Monday night game and the All Star game on our black and white TV. We loved the Bird!!! One day in 1997 I bumped into him at a mall in Springfield, MA.
Ironically I ended up having a great high school pitching career and tore my cuff in 1980 and none of the docs could diagnose the problem either.
Thanks for the memories Mark The Bird!! Rest in Peace.
R.I.P. Bird...
We'll never forget you and what you brought to Tiger baseball.
WOW - I was 15 when he was amazing - I had wondered all of these years. Thank you!
I've often thought that The Bird was the inspiration for the character Ebby Calvin "Nuke" LaLoosh in the movie Bull Durham. "It feels out there. I mean, it's a major rush. I mean, it feels radical in kind of a tubular sort of way, but most of all, it feels out there.” Sure sounds like the Bird to me.
I saw the Bird strike out Hank Aaron on Memorial Day 1976 at Tiger Stadium, it was Aaron's last season with Milwaukee. I also have an autographed ball signed by him. It's sad that he only had the one year. Damn he was good though.
Mark Fidrych was the kindest and best pitcher there ever was.....!!
Nice seeing an honest and clear headed player!
Met him when I was 7 in a grocery store. He was a cool guy.
This was just nice. Never got to hear an interview of the guy until just now. Thanks.
Great pitcher, great character. A truly likeable guy, one of a kind. Bird was the word.
Notice how forthright and honest this guy is?
"I was keeping that to myself (recently had shoulder surgery). I wasn't gonna tell anybody"
He can't help himself! He loved baseball, loved his fans.
A-Rod could take an ENORMOUS lesson from this great baseball legend!
(Not to change the subject on this video, but I don't even care what A-Rod has done - I'd just like him to speak 'off the cuff' like ol Fidrych.)
The world needs more people like him.
This man is my grandfathers cousin! Love and miss the man!
I was watching some footage of Mark about of month ago. What a charismatic and generally good hearted guy. R.I.P. Bird.
Miss ya Mark.
I remember him on that Monday night baseball when he pitched a great game and beat the hated Yankees! The fans would not go home until he came back out! The chills I got that night! The fans around the league used to filled them up just to see him pitch! Maybe the proper word is performed! The Big Bird! RIP! We will all miss you! I am sure right now he is striking out Ruth,Gehrig,Cobb and the other greats!
It's always how we were. RIP, Mark. I have your jersey. You shall live on, Bird!
seems like a very likable chap (especially compared to the goons today) - a shame.
He was the best the half hour i spent talking to him is Priceless to me
goongoon give us an example of today's goon.
I’ve always been interested in baseball history. I can’t believe I’ve never heard of this guy until today!
We need a guy like him today in baseball, yes we like to see the home runs, and we also love to see the great pitchers but Mark really made it fun to watch his antics are hilarious
Rest in Peace, Bird. You were one great baseballer...we'll miss you.
Dear Fid,
Thanks man. You were our friend first. Baseball was lucky to know you, but not as lucky as we in town were.
God Bless,
Wilky
1st game i ever went to was in 1976 Tigers against KC and I got to see him pitch i have been a fan ever since !!! what a character
It's too bad about Mark 'The Bird' Fidrych.
I remember back in '76 when he turned the metro Detroit area upside down. He was easily the most popular guy in Detroit that summer.
Mark will be missed. R.I.P, Mark.
I heard about him on Only A Game on NPR and RUclipsd him. He's an awesome character, totally and naturally funny and corky. Died so young. :(
Corky. Corky. You are DORKo
Met him in 1994 i was 14 I basically interviewed him for at least a half hour nicest guy EVER!!!!!