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How Mark Fidrych, the Bird of Baseball, Met His Tragic End

Mark Fidrych was a baseball phenomenon who captivated the nation with his eccentric antics and stellar pitching in the 1970s. He was nicknamed “The Bird” for his resemblance to the Sesame Street character Big Bird, and he became a fan favorite for his habit of talking to the ball, grooming the mound, and celebrating every out. He won the American League Rookie of the Year award in 1976, when he led the league with a 2.34 ERA and 24 complete games. However, his career was cut short by injuries, and he retired in 1983 after only five seasons in the major leagues. He then settled on a farm in Massachusetts, where he ran a trucking business and lived a quiet life with his family. But on April 13, 2009, Fidrych met his tragic end in a freak accident involving his dump truck. Here is the story of how Mark Fidrych, the Bird of baseball, died.

The Accident

On the morning of April 13, 2009, Fidrych was working on his 10-wheel dump truck at his farm in Northborough, Massachusetts. He was preparing the truck for inspection, and he had to fix a problem with the hydraulic system that tilted the body of the truck. He crawled under the truck and started to work on the mechanism, while the truck was running. According to the state medical examiner’s office, Fidrych’s clothes got caught in a spinning power takeoff shaft, which was part of the hydraulic system. The shaft wrapped around his body and neck, and strangled him to death. He was 54 years old.

Fidrych’s body was discovered by a friend, Joseph Amorello, who had come to the farm to help him with the truck. Amorello found Fidrych lying face down under the truck, and called 911. He also tried to perform CPR, but it was too late. Fidrych was pronounced dead at the scene by the paramedics. The police ruled his death an accident, and said there was no evidence of foul play or suicide.

The Reaction

The news of Fidrych’s death shocked and saddened the baseball world and his fans. Many former teammates, opponents, and friends expressed their condolences and paid tribute to his legacy. Some of the notable reactions were:

• Jim Leyland, the manager of the Detroit Tigers, said: “He was a breath of fresh air. He was a great story. He was a great kid. He was one of a kind.”
• George Brett, the Hall of Fame third baseman who faced Fidrych in 1976, said: “He was a character, but he could pitch. He was fun to watch. He was always happy. He loved the game. He was great for baseball.”
• Bruce Kimm, the catcher who caught Fidrych’s first major league start, said: “He was a very humble guy. He never changed. He was the same guy I met in 1975 in the minor leagues. He was a great teammate and a great friend.”
• Bill Lee, the former Red Sox pitcher who was Fidrych’s rival and friend, said: “He was a shooting star. He lit up the sky for a brief moment, and then he was gone. He was a beautiful person.”

Fidrych’s funeral was held on April 20, 2009, at St. Rose of Lima Church in Northborough. Hundreds of people attended the service, including his wife Ann, his daughter Jessica, his parents, his siblings, and his former teammates. He was buried at Howard Street Cemetery in Northborough.

The Legacy

Mark Fidrych will always be remembered as one of the most colorful and charismatic players in baseball history. He brought joy and excitement to the game, and he inspired many young fans to follow their dreams. He was a rare talent who had a remarkable rookie season, but he also faced many challenges and hardships in his career and life. He never gave up, and he always stayed true to himself. He was a simple man who loved his family, his farm, and his truck. He was a bird of a different feather, and he flew high and bright. He was Mark Fidrych, the Bird of baseball.