Tigers Honor Fidrych

Baseball loses one of its most sensational rookie pitchers. Mark Fidrych died Monday, April 13, 2009 on his farm in Massachusetts from an apparent accident. He was 54. The Detroit Tigers honored Fidyrch with a moment of silence before today's baseball game against the White Sox.

Mark "The Bird" Fidrych was the American League rookie of the year in 1976 when he went 19-9 with a 2.34 earned run average. He spent all five of his major league seasons with the Detroit Tigers, compiling a 29-19 record and a 3.10 ERA.

It was in his rookie year that he gained his most success. Fans packed Tiger Stadium that summer to watch The Bird pitch. And he was the only reason to watch the Tigers that season. Injuries curtailed his career and he retired after spending just five seasons with the Tigers.

Fidrych acquired the nickname "the Bird" because of his resemblance to the Big Bird character on the Sesame Street television show. His blonde, curly hair was not to be contained by his baseball hat.

During games, he would bend down and groom the mound with his hands, filling in holes. He would talk to the baseball and even slap high-five's with teammates in the middle of the diamond after a great play was made. It was all very genuine. And if you had the chance of seeing him play that summer, you knew it was something special.