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In memoriam: Mark Fidrych

Mark Fidrych, whose career burned bright and short when he captured national headlines as "The Bird," died after an accident at his Northborough, Mass. farm.
Mark Fidrych, whose career burned bright and short when he captured national headlines as "The Bird," died after an accident at his Northborough, Mass. farm.

Fidrych worked in construction after his baseball career ended. He was founded dead by a friend, pinned underneath a 10-wheel truck.

Mark Fidrych made national headlines in 1976 two years into his pro career with the Detroit Tigers. Combining colorful antics with legitimate talents, "The Bird" went 19-7 in his rookie season, starting the All-Star Game and capturing Rookie of the Year honors.

He seemed set for a long career, but a knee injury suffered while shagging flies during 1977’s spring training was the beginning of the end for Fidrych. He won only 10 more games during parts of five seasons.