Nicknamed The Bird

Sometimes Facebook memories bring out somber events. Yesterday reminded me that it's been 14 years since Mark Fidrych, nicknamed the Bird because of his supposed resemblance to Big Bird on Sesame Street, died unexpectedly in an accident while working on his Massachusetts farm.  Here's what Wikipedia says about him: The Bird

The Bird was classic baseball Americana: he had fun playing a kid's game (as one should), and was totally sincere. He was manic while he played, a controlled lunacy, grooming the mound and talking (it was said) to the ball before pitching it to a perplexed batter. He made the whole 1976 season special. I remember seeing him live several times: old Tiger Stadium rocked to its foundations. The curtain calls after each game, win or lose, were great. I wish everyone could have seen him pitch, could have experienced the vibe which only Fidrych produced. It's cliched, but there will indeed never be another like him.

At the final game at old Tiger Stadium on September 27, 1999, after the last out, there was a ceremony where as many old Tigers as could were brought out onto the field. The Bird was the first introduced. He ran to the mound and got down on his hands and knees and groomed it, just as he would when he played. Vintage Fidrych. It was a classy move by the Tigers to bring him out first. I was glad I could be there. I miss him.