R.I.P. Mark "The Bird" Fidrych

[maddogesq]

http://www.freep.com/article/20090413/SPORTS02/90413063/Ex-Tiger+Mark++The+Bird++Fidrych+found+dead

This just makes me damn sad. He gave us so much joy during and after his playing years.

[etherealtruth]

1. I remember him well ...

As a baseball crazed kid ... I have fond memories of him, Tiger Stadium and hanging out with my dad.

He added fun and interest to the game.

Sad

[SharonRB]

2. The summer he played for us was so much fun!

I remember going to see him play. RIP, Mark.

[maddogesq]

3. The Bird and I have a few things in common.

Our first names are Mark.

We are both a bit "off".

We both enjoy working outside.

We both have nicknames after animals. He was called "The Bird." My friends call me "The Bear," and on the blues circuit I am known as "The Mad Dog."

We both have a way of making up some strange stuff. Just look at these guotes, including the first one, which is from memory:

"The People really get me up!"

"When you're a winner you're always happy, but if you're happy as a loser you'll always be a loser."

"Sometimes I get lazy and let the dishes stack up, but they don't stack too high. I've only got four dishes."

"That ball has a hit in it, so I want it to get back in the ball bag and goof around with the other balls in there. Maybe it'll learn some sense and come out as a pop-up next time."

Damn it Sharon, my dad just came home from hospital and we started getting hopsice today. This news makes my day just more screwed up. And loss of George Kell and The Bird in one month is just too strange. I hope there isn't that third one they always talk about.

[SharonRB]

6. I'm so sorry, maddog

I just saw this post now. My thoughts are with you and your family -- I've been there myself, so I know what you're going through.

[PassingFair]

4. The Bird was The Word....

I don't follow sports at all, but
I mourn Mark's passing....

He seemed like a real oddball-hero-everyman.

[Scout]

5. i saw almost every home game he pitched...

my sister and i would go down to the stadium and get tickets as soon as it was announced what days he pitched.

that was a wonderful summer, so much fun to watch The Bird--and the crowds loved him so much! the screaming and the chanting during and after the games were almost as much fun as the game itself.

i have, and will continue to, miss The Bird.