Former Detroit Tigers All Star pitcher Mark The Bird Fidrych dead at 54 ESPN

[TomTIGER69]

One of The Real & becoming extinct individuals.I met Mark a few times in my friend Butch's Eng.Office in Northborough Mark treated me like we had been friends

Forever.Butch would say he's "The BIRD" he's "The BIRD" I new nothing DuH Since I didn't follow Baseball Only Now am i learning how Respected & popular Mark was..Mark & Butch were tight.Unbelievably Mark Passed on April 13, 09 & My Good Friend Butch on May 1, 09 Both Butch & Mark were" Top of The Top" God Speed my most cherished Friends

[snosdwiS]

Phenomins? I hate Peter Gammons. Anyway, RIP Mark, and Harry of course too.

[bearclub61]

Mark 'The Bird" Fidrych was truly one of a kind! He brought a freshness & innocense that lacks in baseball today. You could see the pure joy on his face when he won a game! The curtain calls, hugging players when then made a good play, the antics on the mound. He was like a Little Leaguer pitching in the Major Leagues. He made a mediocre Tiger team fun to watch. I was fortunate to see him pitch against the Yankees, it was pure madness in Detroit! Thanks Mark, you will not be forgotten!

[dunskie]

Come on Detroit.

Do right by the kid.

Retire The Bird's #20.

Honor his memory at the park on some other day than Jackie Robinson Day too.

Get it together Tigers.

He was a Tiger Legend. Brought JOy to that sad town when people were in bad times.

The Bird made em love The Tigers and life again.

RETIRE #20 Detroit.

Luv Ya Bird.

[chippewaman1971]

It was so sad when I heard of the passing of Mark "The Bird" Fidrych. I grew up a Tiger fan in Michigan and it was "The BIrd" who got me interested in pitching and playing Little League Baseball. It's true, he was a pop baseball phenom. My mom and dad were not big baseball fans but if "The Bird" was pitching and the game was on TV my whole family would sit and watch. My condolances to the family. He will always live on in my memories.

[20thcenturynostalgia]

I have the 1976 Monday Night Baseball game where Fidrych started vs the Yankees. If anyone wants to aquire it on DVD let me know.

[NatureMuzic]

I love ya Peter, but he didn't talk to the balls, per se', rather, he was talking to himself. Such a tragic end to what would have been a Hall of Fame piotcher, if not for the shoulder problems. This kid was not an act, he was great. Can't believe it's been 33 years since that Monday night game, but for those of us fortunate enough to have seen you pitch, you will never be forgotten. My genuine thoughts & prayers go out to your family, friends & former teammates Mark - Rest in peace.....

[coustenis]

"The Bird" was the greatest sport story in my lifetime. Non roster player, makes the tigers team, has a great season (check his stats) and his personna. If I were able to meet any sports figure of my choice (any sport) he would have been my pick. RIP

[edwardp75]

I met the Byrd as a teenager. I will never forget it. He is a class act. Baseball has lost a legend. I don't care what the stats say, and I have always felt we don't do enough to honor the guys who contribute so much beyond stats to the game. He will always be a Hall of Famer in my book, always! R.I.P.

[ryeinc]

RIP Harry and Mark

[20thcenturynostalgia]

I have the 1976 Monday Night Baseball game where Fidrych started vs the Yankees. If anyone wants to aquire it on DVD let me know.

[chicodyl]

I would love to get a copy of that game.

[cosmobunker]

Saw him twice in 76. One was the 2-1game against the yankee's. It was electric. If not for the injuries he would have been great. What bad news!

[jkbezo1]

I was too young to remember him play. But I have read many articles and sories, plus ESPN Classics showed some games of his. I was in little League baseball about the time he retired. But he is surely a recognizable name and person despite his shorten career. He will surely be missed. Seemed genuine and down to earth.

RIP to the Bird and condolescence to his family.

[hogann16]

Rest in peace, great man.

Um a side note, when they had another retake of this, it was nighttime and the two were still wearing shades. Is something wrong with Gammons and Kruk? It just seemed out of place for them two to be wearing shades when unnecessary.

[RicPhlare]

Professional sports today needs more genuine and honest people, like Fidrych was. Fidrych was the type of person in sports that kids today need to look up to.

[ockfener]

MNB:

Keith Jackson: "Bob- He's talking to the ball"

Uecker: "Well, when it starts talking back to him, then we've got problems"

Paraphrased of course, so let's have the real video of that quality game come out please.

MF - RIP

[lsraleigh]

i've met Mark many times. He is truly the biggest fan of the game baseball has ever saw. My heart goes out to his wonderful family. The whole city of Detroit will miss Mark. A Mark Fidrych monument in left center is long over due

[20thcenturynostalgia]

I have the Monday Night Baseball game Fidrych pitched in 1976 on VHS and DVD I will try to put it on here if I get enough requests I have it on DVD if you want to email me and get one.

[Statman11]

PUT IT ON!!! PLEASE!!! I can't find anything on Fidrych. I love watchin him pitch

[SkaterTysn9]

please put some vids of fidrych pitching

[jackmehoffer68]

I used to go to my Grandfather's house to watch Monday Night Baseball and it was such fun to watch this character. Baseball has always been full of "characters". It was so refreshing to see someone who did not "fit the mold" of your average player, but had a personality. I loved that he was a personality. I loved his individuality. Good for you , Bird.

[sloopy777]

Very , very sad day !!!!! Baseball just lost one of it's most genuine characters !!! He will be greatly missed !!! : [

[Garycubfan]

Whenever Mark Fidrych pitched in 1976 it was a sell out or close to it in Tiger stadium. There was a Tigers game on ABC Monday night baseball when Fidrych pitched. Even though my dad and I weren't Tigers fans we weren't going to miss the game. I had never seen a player like him and wanted to see all of his antics. He pitched a good game and didn't disappoint with his reactions when a Tigers player made a good play, talking to himself, or smoothing out the mound with this hands.

RIP.

[jackmehoffer68]

great post! i remember the same! i have tears in my eyes remembering what you have said, because i loved those memories watching with my grandfather. thanks.

[witgw]

Bye Bye Birdy. My best to your family.

[mrdavesmagic]

He was a very friendly person when I met him in person. He had a great sense of humor. RIP Mark.

[cynthiacher]

Oh no! When I heard this, I hurt inside. I remember Mark Fydrich back in the day; he was cute and funny and a great ballplayer and a down to earth human being. Oh why did this have to happen? God bless you, Mark.

[george6900]

The Bird is the Word.... Gone to soon.

[Michlimania]

A local legend, a household name, and a national sensation one night on national TV. I saw him on Sept. 27, 1999 in old Tiger Stadium for the final game...he took some soil from the mound, put it in a bag and ran off the field.

God Bless The Bird. RIP.