Farm accident claims former MLB pitcher Mark "The Bird" Fidrych

[/pine]

A shame...I always enjoyed watching him pitch

sorry more details not available..

BOSTON (AP)友ormer All-Star pitcher Mark 鍍he Bird Fidrych was found dead Monday in an apparent accident at his farm. He was 54.

Worcester County district attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. saids a family friend found Fidrych about 2:30 p.m. Monday beneath a dump truck at his Northborough, Mass., farm. He appeared to be working on the truck, Early said.

The colorful right-hander was the American League rookie of the year in 1976 when he went 19-9 with a 2.34 ERA. He spent all five of his major league seasons with the Detroit Tigers, compiling a 29-19 record and a 3.10 ERA.

His career was cut short by injuries.

Fidrych attempted a comeback in 1983 with the Boston Red Sox and went to their Triple A team in Pawtucket, R.I. But he never pitched in the majors after 1980 and retired in 1983.

The Worcester, Mass., native later owned a trucking business.

Fidrych acquired the nickname 鍍he Bird because of his resemblance to the Big Bird character on the Sesame Street television show. During games, he would bend down and groom the mound with his hands, appear to talk to the baseball and slap high fives with teammates in the middle of the diamond.

He started the 1976 All-Star game after opening the season with seven wins in eight decisions. He finished that season with 24 complete games.

But he tore knee cartilage during spring training the following year and was placed on the disabled list until May 24. He sustained a shoulder injury in July 1977 and ended up pitching in just 58 games during his major league career.

State police detectives are investigating the circumstances of his death, Early said.

 

[Workstead]

/Pine,

Thanks for posting. Mark was very young when his family lived in the same 3 decker house I lived in when I was a teenager. Our family lived on the first floor and they lived on the third floor. We moved away before he made the major leagues and enjoyed the performances of our "neighbor."

I will use this as a reminder to be safe whenever working on equipment.

Clem

 

[Ductape]

From what was said on the local news, it seems he was working on a dump truck and was crushed by the raised dump body.

 

[JoeinTX]

Heck of a day.


Mark Fidrych........Harry Kalas........Marylyn Chambers.........Word is Farah Fawcett and Patrick Swayze are short for this world as well.



Not so much a farm related post, but, just a time and cultural one. I'm only 33 but it seems that so many of the people I grew up with are passing by.


In 1988 Swayze was dirty dancing and bringing down Western civilization.............now he's almost 60 and looks 80. I remember the posters of Farah on my bedroom ceiling as a kid like yesterday, and now.........




Wow. Just having a moment....

 

[mjncad]

Heck of a day.


Mark Fidrych........Harry Kalas........Marylyn Chambers.........Word is Farah Fawcett and Patrick Swayze are short for this world as well.



Not so much a farm related post, but, just a time and cultural one. I'm only 33 but it seems that so many of the people I grew up with are passing by.


In 1988 Swayze was dirty dancing and bringing down Western civilization.............now he's almost 60 and looks 80. I remember the posters of Farah on my bedroom ceiling as a kid like yesterday, and now.........




Wow. Just having a moment....

Marilyn Chambers of "Behind the Green Door" fame checked out?

 

[JoeinTX]

"Marilyn Chambers of "Behind the Green Door" fame checked out?...."


Aye. Can you believe that Suzanne Sommers is almost 60?




I'm still "young" but today made me feel so old. Where has time gone?

 

[bill on the hill2]

For sure as we age many of the folks we remember from our younger days are passing on. Phillies baseball will never be the same with harry gone.

 

[daBear]

I think Marilyn Chambers choked to death finally.

 

[mikeymik'd]

I think Marilyn Chambers choked to death finally.

Thank you, needed a good laugh today!

 

[/pine]

I bet her brain is missing too...!