Mark "The Bird" Fidrych dead

larnott · 04-13-2009, 05:08 PM

Fidrych killed in accident - Extra Bases - Red Sox blog

RIP

M GO BLUE!!! · 04-13-2009, 05:10 PM

Damn. RIP, Bird.

JediKooter · 04-13-2009, 05:13 PM

Dang it!! What the heck man. Not a good week for baseball. RIP Bird.

Ksyrup · 04-13-2009, 05:52 PM

As a Detroit native and lifelong Phillies fan...I'm having a bad day.

A few weeks ago, MLB Network ran the replay of the Tigers/Yankees game that was nationally televised during the height of his popularity, as well as a recent interview he had done. I watched most of the game with my daughter. Definitely one of a kind.

JonInMiddleGA · 04-13-2009, 05:59 PM

Schmidty · 04-13-2009, 08:25 PM

That sucks. He was a fun guy to watch (even though I've only seen old footage).

bosshogg23 · 04-13-2009, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmidty

That sucks. He was a fun guy to watch (even though I've only seen old footage).

The Bird was exceptionally friendly. At card shows he was one of the few people who would engage each autograph seeker. He did promo appearances in the early 90's where he would do "motivational speaking" generally for auto companies. Very down to earth and well received.

BYU 14 · 04-13-2009, 08:55 PM

Man, this is like a punch in the gut! I remember seeing the Bird pitch against my beloved Yankees on Monday night baseball his rookie season when I was 12. Even though he was going against my team, I thought he was the coolest thing ever. In fact, of all the characters that played in the 70's he and Al Hrabosky were my favorites. The most impressive thing about him was how laid back and nonchalant he was about things. Never bitter his career was so short, just thankful he had what he had. One of the nicest guys out there.

RIP Bird

BYU 14 · 04-13-2009, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

As a Detroit native and lifelong Phillies fan...I'm having a bad day.

A few weeks ago, MLB Network ran the replay of the Tigers/Yankees game that was nationally televised during the height of his popularity, as well as a recent interview he had done. I watched most of the game with my daughter. Definitely one of a kind.

Still have vivid memories of watching it live. Man I wish I had caught the replay!!

tarcone · 04-13-2009, 09:13 PM

I was 9 years old when he was a rookie. This man ignited my passion for baseball. I doubt I would have the love of baseball I have if not for Fidrych.

Wow. This stuns me. I am in shock.

I feel a part of my life just died.

JeeberD · 04-14-2009, 12:03 AM

Karlifornia · 04-14-2009, 03:32 AM

RIP, Fidrych. You seemed like a cool guy! Thanks for existing!

Ksyrup · 04-14-2009, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BYU 14

Still have vivid memories of watching it live. Man I wish I had caught the replay!!

I've seen it several times, first on ESPN Classic and now on MLB Network. I bet either or both will show this game soon, given his death.

Ksyrup · 04-15-2009, 10:55 AM

Just saw this info in an article, for anyone who's interested:

Quote:

A replay of the game was telecast on MLB Network on Tuesday as a tribute to Fidrych, who died Monday in an accident, and will be seen again April 30 at 3 p.m. Eastern. The network interviewed Fidrych in its studio this month as part of an April 11 showing of the game.

I didn't see this April 11th, but I'm pretty sure I saw the updated interview. I bet that article is supposed to say March 11th. That would make more sense.

Ksyrup · 04-15-2009, 11:25 AM

A guy I know from another board who's a big Tigers fan worked with a buddy of his to create this billboard and has gotten a couple of companies to put it up in various places around Michigan, including across from the West Michigan Whitecaps ballpark in Grand Rapids. Kinda cool, I think.

I've also attached the .pdf version of this, in case anyone is interested in having it.

BYU 14 · 04-15-2009, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

Just saw this info in an article, for anyone who's interested:

I didn't see this April 11th, but I'm pretty sure I saw the updated interview. I bet that article is supposed to say March 11th. That would make more sense.

Thanks, will definitely set the DVR for this

That Billboard is pretty cool too, amazing how many people he touched with in such a short time.

path12 · 04-15-2009, 05:09 PM

This bummed me out. I was 15 in 1977 and became a Tiger fan on the spot watching him pitch a game on TV. He started a game that year against the Mariners that I went to wearing my cheap-ass Detroit batting helmet. I was the Bird all that summer in the neighborhood games.....RIP man.

04-13-2009, 05:13 PM	#3
JediKooter Coordinator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: San Diego via Sausalito via San Jose via San Diego	Dang it!! What the heck man. Not a good week for baseball. RIP Bird. __________________ I'm no longer a Chargers fan, they are dead to me Coming this summer to a movie theater near you: The Adventures of Jedikooter: Part 4

04-13-2009, 05:52 PM	#4
Ksyrup This guy has posted so much, his fingers are about to fall off. Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: In Absentia	As a Detroit native and lifelong Phillies fan...I'm having a bad day. A few weeks ago, MLB Network ran the replay of the Tigers/Yankees game that was nationally televised during the height of his popularity, as well as a recent interview he had done. I watched most of the game with my daughter. Definitely one of a kind. __________________ M's pitcher Miguel Batista: "Now, I feel like I've had everything. I've talked pitching with Sandy Koufax, had Kenny G play for me. Maybe if I could have an interview with God, then I'd be served. I'd be complete." Last edited by Ksyrup : 04-13-2009 at 05:53 PM.

04-13-2009, 05:59 PM	#5
JonInMiddleGA Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Behind Enemy Lines in Athens, GA	Man __________________ "I lit another cigarette. Unless I specifically inform you to the contrary, I am always lighting another cigarette." - from a novel by Martin Amis

04-13-2009, 08:25 PM	#6
Schmidty Coordinator Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Early, TX	That sucks. He was a fun guy to watch (even though I've only seen old footage). __________________ Just beat the devil out of it!!! - Bob Ross

04-13-2009, 08:55 PM	#8
BYU 14 Coordinator Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The scorched Desert	Man, this is like a punch in the gut! I remember seeing the Bird pitch against my beloved Yankees on Monday night baseball his rookie season when I was 12. Even though he was going against my team, I thought he was the coolest thing ever. In fact, of all the characters that played in the 70's he and Al Hrabosky were my favorites. The most impressive thing about him was how laid back and nonchalant he was about things. Never bitter his career was so short, just thankful he had what he had. One of the nicest guys out there. RIP Bird Last edited by BYU 14 : 04-13-2009 at 08:55 PM.

04-13-2009, 05:10 PM	#2
M GO BLUE!!! Pro Starter Join Date: Sep 2005	Damn. RIP, Bird.

04-13-2009, 09:13 PM	#10
tarcone Coordinator Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Pacific	I was 9 years old when he was a rookie. This man ignited my passion for baseball. I doubt I would have the love of baseball I have if not for Fidrych. Wow. This stuns me. I am in shock. I feel a part of my life just died.

04-14-2009, 12:03 AM	#11
JeeberD General Manager Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The Town of Flower Mound	__________________ UTEP Miners!!! I solemnly swear to never cheer for TO

04-14-2009, 03:32 AM	#12
Karlifornia Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: San Jose, CA	RIP, Fidrych. You seemed like a cool guy! Thanks for existing! __________________ Look into the mind of a crazy man (NSFW) http://www.whitepowerupdate.wordpress.com

04-15-2009, 05:09 PM	#17
path12 Coordinator Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Seattle, WA	This bummed me out. I was 15 in 1977 and became a Tiger fan on the spot watching him pitch a game on TV. He started a game that year against the Mariners that I went to wearing my cheap-ass Detroit batting helmet. I was the Bird all that summer in the neighborhood games.....RIP man. __________________ We have always been at war with Eastasia.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)