Mark Fidrych: The rookie who saved baseball in 1976
coolstanley
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lb8nJrJPDu4Terry Bradshaw was AMAZING!!
Ohio State Buckeyes - National Champions
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coolstanley
Posts: 3,405 ✭✭✭✭✭
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He mentioned the June 11 Detroit mania game against Nolan Ryan. That was the only Mark Fidrych vs Nolan Ryan game in history. Anyway, good story.
Terry Bradshaw was AMAZING!!
Ohio State Buckeyes - National Champions
Sad story, had they knew about the torn rotator cuff it might have been a whole different story
Here is another great documentary from MLB network, narrated by Tom Selleck. It is one of my favorite ones. It really captures the vibe of the time and captures his star studded rise and the overall excitement so well. It takes your emotions from refreshing and fun...then hits you in the gut.
It has a lot of original news footage and vintage fan reactions. For anyone born in the current age it really is a glimpse into a different time when everything isn't known instantly and where you can't see every play or player with a click on your phone.
@perkdog
Doug Wilson wrote an amazing biography of Fidrych. Can't recommend it enough.
Mark had an incredible connection with Detroit fans and it never really went away.
He's remembered as a one year wonder but he was actually even better his second year before getting hurt. Ralph Houk should have been fired into space for how he handled Fidrych. In 1977, coming back from injury, he threw 7 complete games in his first 8 starts. That's when his shoulder exploded. In 1976, he threw 11+ innings FOUR times, including back to back starts six weeks into his career.
Gone way too young.
Sad ending. His wife tried a lawsuit against the truck manufacturer. Was thrown out.
I was only 5 yrs old when Fidrych mania was happening in 1976, but I still remember it very well. A special era in baseball.
Terry Bradshaw was AMAZING!!
Ohio State Buckeyes - National Champions
4 for me. Grew up just outside Detroit. He was such a big deal in the area. The next year, I got my first glove. A Mark Fidrych model. Had it for over 20 years before losing it in a move. I loved that thing.
Erik
I really liked watching Mark (The Bird) pitch. I just wished they didn't pitch me late in so many games. He was so much fun to watch and was a great young pitcher.
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
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I picked this up last week & a buddy confirmed that this team issue photo is used in his 1977 MSA discs. I would have to imagine this was then taken in spring training of 1976 but hard to tell without seeing more of the Tigers photos from the same year...as it could be spring of 1977.
Erik