Mark Fidrych killed in accident

[robmadden1]

Mark Fidrych, a Northborough native whose aw-shucks charm and on-the-mound antics helped make him a national phenomenon as a Detroit Tigers rookie pitcher in 1976, was killed in an accident in his hometown this afternoon while working on his pickup truck. He was 54.

Fidrych, who won 19 games as a rookie before injuries derailed his career, was found dead on his 107-acre farm this afternoon, according to the office of Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. Fidrych was found by a family friend underneath his truck at about 2:30 p.m.

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2009/04/fidrych_killed.html

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/story/11626144

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090413&content_id=4252328&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

[Mutaman]

Peter Farrelly of The Farrelly Brothers on offering the Bird a part in Me, Myself, and Irene:

Peter: "The one we missed is Mark Fidrych. We offered him a role in Me, Myself and Irene. He drives a truck and lives on a farm in Massachusetts. He said, "Great, I'd love to, when is it?" I said, "It's this Wednesday." He said, "I can't do it. I have a delivery to make." I said, "Mark, is there any way to get somebody else to do the delivery so you can do the movie?" He said, "Pete, I've been making this delivery for the past 18 years every Wednesday. They count on me to be there every Wednesday. I'm not going to miss a day because I'm in a movie." I hung up thinking: That's one cool dude."

[Kingspoint]

That's why everyone should get themselves to these REDS' games. A guy like Dickerson will only have one or two years in the spotlight. Now it won't obviously shine as bright as Fidyrich's did, but it's a spotlight none the less....and there will be moments worth remembering.

Condolences to the family and friends of Fidyrich.

[Chi-Town Red]

terrible news

[goreds2]

Peter Farrelly of The Farrelly Brothers on offering the Bird a part in Me, Myself, and Irene:

Peter: "The one we missed is Mark Fidrych. We offered him a role in Me, Myself and Irene. He drives a truck and lives on a farm in Massachusetts. He said, "Great, I'd love to, when is it?" I said, "It's this Wednesday." He said, "I can't do it. I have a delivery to make." I said, "Mark, is there any way to get somebody else to do the delivery so you can do the movie?" He said, "Pete, I've been making this delivery for the past 18 years every Wednesday. They count on me to be there every Wednesday. I'm not going to miss a day because I'm in a movie." I hung up thinking: That's one cool dude."

Great story!


Today was a weird day of unexpected deaths. :confused: (Marlin Chambers and Harry Kalas)

RIP

[PedroBourbon]

Having parents who grew up in the Detroit area, I always followed the Tigers and "the Bird" was one of my childhood fav's. He was the talk of the town in Detroit and had a great, albeit short, career.

RIP Bird.

[CySeymour]

I was only 8 years old during the '76 season, but I certainly knew who the Bird was back then. He was about the only thing besides the Big Red Machine I knew :)

Rest In Peace...you can now toe the rubber forever up above.

[Road Pop]

^ I was 10 his rookie year. It seems like yesterday my friends and I were "aping" him on the mound. A lot of kids were talking to the ball those few short years....

[schmidty622]

Yikes, sounds like he suffered.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/9462396/Autopsy:-Fidrych-suffocated-in-truck-accident?MSNHPHMA

[goreds2]

Funeral: :(

http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/state/x718260256/Family-friends-bid-farewell-to-Mark-The-Bird-Fidrych