Mark Fidrych is dead.

RonBurgundy · April 13, 2009 7:52AM

Found under his pickup truck.

lsutigers1973 · April 13, 2009 7:54AM

Really?

Dboneesq · April 13, 2009 7:56AM

Mark Fidrych dies at
Mass. home

NORTHBOROUGH - Former Major League pitcher Mark "The Bird" Fidrych was found dead at his Northborough farm this afternoon.

Northborough Police released the following statement:

NORTHBOROUGH - Mark S. Fidrych, 54, of 260 West St. was found dead on his farm this afternoon, the victim of an apparent accident, according to Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. Mr. Fidrych was found by a family friend underneath a pickup truck at about 2:30 p.m. He appeared to have been working on the truck at the time of the accident. The state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has accepted the case. The State Police Detectives assigned to Mr. Early's office are investigating.

RIP MARK

Allen · April 13, 2009 7:58AM

I already knew he was dead when I noticed all the hi priced Buy It Now autographs popped up on ebay. I think some paramedics have TurboLister on their cellphones so they can list the items while they are loading the body in the back of the bus.

BunchOBull · April 13, 2009 7:58AM

What a day. RIP.

Allen · April 13, 2009 7:58AM

Oh yeah. RIP

zep33 · April 13, 2009 8:05AM

WOW - RIP Mark

just watched that game from 76 against the Yankees this weekend. MLB Network had it on

MBMiller25 · April 13, 2009 8:07AM

man, its been quite a couple weeks with all the deaths. RIP Mark

lawnmowerman · April 13, 2009 8:15AM

A bad way to go for sure.

bman90278 · April 13, 2009 8:17AM

<< <i>WOW - RIP Mark

just watched that game from 76 against the Yankees this weekend. MLB Network had it on >>

I had just watched it over the weekend too and was telling my wife about his rookie season. Back in 77 or 78 I had read the book, Mark "The Bird" Fidrych (Sports Star) by S. H. Burchard and did a book report on it. I had to have been 8 or 9 at the time. Very sad ending to his short life. My prayers are with him and to all of his friends and family.

brian

BPorter26 · April 13, 2009 8:30AM

A tough week for baseball fans RIP Nick, Mark and Harry

itzagoner · April 13, 2009 8:33AM

Clemaz · April 13, 2009 8:35AM

This sucks. Career cut short and life cut shot. Just saw him on the MLB Network a few weeks ago, it was cool to see him after all those years and now he his gone. God Speed Big Bird.

purduepete · April 13, 2009 8:36AM

Unreal...RIP Bird

Bosox1976 · April 13, 2009 8:39AM

Too bad indeed. Colorful guy.

leathtech · April 13, 2009 9:27AM

RIP - Mark, he was a great TTM'er got this back about 2 weeks ago..

PSASAP · April 13, 2009 9:30AM

Marilyn Chambers died too. That sucks (no pun intended)

divecchia · April 13, 2009 9:38AM

Wow, RIP...Donato

slantycouch · April 13, 2009 9:39AM

Very sad to hear. RIP.

storm888 · April 13, 2009 9:46AM

SDSportsFan · April 13, 2009 9:50AM

He sure was fun to watch back in his rookie season

Rest in Peace Mark.

Steve

Downtown1974 · April 13, 2009 10:38AM

RIP Mark.

TheTalkingWalnut · April 13, 2009 10:39AM

jerster · April 13, 2009 10:54AM

RIP Mark.

PoppaJ · April 13, 2009 11:15AM

Brian48 · April 13, 2009 11:17AM

RIP. As one of baseball's most colorful characters, he'll be missed. Don't mean to be funny, but it seems almost appropriate for him to be found dead in such an odd manner and place.

detroitfan2 · April 13, 2009 11:36AM

I can't even believe this. I just can't. My favorite Tiger of all-time.

fur72 · April 13, 2009 11:41AM

One of a kind. RIP

Bottom9th · April 13, 2009 11:50AM

Yeah the Bird was a classic! Here's hoping is happily acting zany upstairs.

RIP Bird

heritage · April 13, 2009 11:56AM

RIP BIRD MAN!!

JVette · April 13, 2009 11:58AM

RIP Mark.

I attended 5-6 of his starts at Tiger Stadium back in 1976. $2 to sit in the center field bleachers. 50,000+ at the stadium every time. A very unique electricity in the air. Impossible to describe, you had to be there. Those games were some of my best sports spectator experiences. Here's to a completely unrestricted, unguarded, pure enthusiasm for life and the experience of today. That's what I will always remember Mark Fidrych for.

- Jack

detroitfan2 · April 13, 2009 1:14PM

<< <i>RIP Mark.

I attended 5-6 of his starts at Tiger Stadium back in 1976. $2 to sit in the center field bleachers. 50,000+ at the stadium every time. A very unique electricity in the air. Impossible to describe, you had to be there. Those games were some of my best sports spectator experiences. Here's to a completely unrestricted, unguarded, pure enthusiasm for life and the experience of today. That's what I will always remember Mark Fidrych for.

- Jack >>

Weren't those something Jack? I'd say it is highly unlikely that there has ever been, as you described it, that level of "electricity in the air" for any other regular season, otherwise meaningless, sporting event. It was unreal.

hammered · April 13, 2009 1:15PM

Amazing, unique person. His RC was the only '77 card any kid in my neighborhood wanted. My friend traded me three Roses for one of my Fidrych's. Everyone loved him.

MrVintage · April 13, 2009 1:19PM

Mark was definetely a character!!!! He will be missed

Pigs · April 13, 2009 1:37PM

Very sad to hear of Marks death. My Dad and I used to watch him pitch on TV and laugh at his antics on the mound and how he would shake a teammates hand as they ran off the field after they would make a great play behind him. I often thought he would have made a great closer with his character and that great slider. RIP Mark.

Brian48 · April 13, 2009 1:40PM

nflhof · April 13, 2009 1:42PM

I saw maybe 4-5 games of his in Tiger Stadium and he was why I pitched in LL. He was a person who we all should try to be like. RIP Bird. You will be missed by this Tiger fan.

SidePocket · April 13, 2009 3:22PM

I guess the name of this post gets right to the point.

Stingray · April 13, 2009 9:08PM

I just heard about this, this morning. Being from the Detroit area and knowing his impact back then on the city and it's people this is quite a downer. I actually got to see him in his first game at Tiger Stadium back in 1976. Could not wait until the 1977 Topps cards came out in order to pull his rookie card. I also got to see him at a local appliance store when he was doing autographs and gave my sister a kiss on the cheeck, she was 17 or so at the time. Some small but good memories of The Bird!!

TheThrill22 · April 14, 2009 7:29AM

RIP to one of the good guys.

gumbyfan · April 15, 2009 6:43AM

I was listening to some local sports talk radio today and one of the guys mentioned that Jim Gantner got his first major league hit off of Fidrych. Interesting trivia that matters only to me here, but thought I'd share it anyway.

RIP

dpuccio · April 15, 2009 7:29AM

I received TTM auto on a 1977 Topps today. Postmarked on 4/13, it was a little weird seeing it.

RIP to one of my favorites

Mark Fidrych is dead.

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