Characters of the Game Vol 2- Mark “The Bird” Fidrych: Eccentric Ballplayer
Mark “The Bird Fidrych: Eccentric Ballplayer
Mark Steven Fidrych born August 14, 1954 – April 13, 2009), nicknamed “The Bird”, was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched his entire career for the Detroit Tigers (1976–1980
The story goes that he was drafted as an amateur selection in 1974 and when he got the call he thought “drafted” meant he was going into the military. He received his nickname “The Bird” by one of his minor league coaches who thought with his 6’3” lanky frame and his hair being curly outside his cap the reminded him of the Sesame Street character.
Fans adore his eccentric behavior. On the mound he would crouch down, manicure the area to fix the cleat marks. Then he would talk to the baseball and hold it like a dart was about to be thrown. After every out he would strut around and several times he threw baseballs back to the umpire because they had “hits in them”.
In the 1974 amateur draft he was selected in the 10th round by the Detriot Tigers & later joked that when he got a call saying he had been drafted he thought he was drafted into the military not thinking there was any teams looking at him. In the minor leagues one of his coaches with the Lakeland Tigers dubbed the lanky 6-foot-3 right-handed pitcher “The Bird” because of his resemblance to the “Big Bird” character of the 1970s Sesame Street television program
He also was known for shaking everyone’s hands after a game. On June 28, 1976, he pitched against the New York Yankees in a nationally televised game on ABC; the Tigers won the game 5-1. After a game filled with “Bird” antics in which he and his team handily defeated the Yankees, Fidrych became a national celebrity.
Tiger Stadium would be filled with “Bird Watchers” when Fidrych took the mound. He was a bit superstitious and wanted his own personal catcher for each start. This was the highlight of rookie catcher Bruce Kimm’s career as Mark wanted him behind the plate.
It became common to hear the crowd chant “we want the Bird, we want the Bird” at the end of each of his home victories. The chants would continue until he emerged from the dugout to tip his cap to the crowd. While these “curtain calls” have become more common in modern sports, they were not so in the mid-’70s baseball.
On the road teams were trying to get the Tigers to schedule his next start due to the large crowds that followed his every start. In fact, he started 18 games in Detroit that accounted for half of the season’s attendance. He appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated twice and graced several other ones. He was on the cover of The Sporting News.
With his league minimum salary, $16,500, he bought a green sub-compact car. When asked about the small car and his long frame, he responded, “ I bought it to fit my lifestyle, not my body.” He lived in a small apartment in Detroit and received thousands of fan mail letters and had troubled responded to all of them . He told reporters that if he wasn’t playing baseball, he would be pumping gas.
At the end of his rookie season, the Tigers gave him a $25,000 bonus and signed him to a three-year contract worth $255,000. Economists estimated that the extra attendance Fidrych generated around the league in 1976 was worth more than $1 million. Fidrych also did an Aqua Velva television commercial after the 1976 season.
One particular night on the mound he went behind it and began talking to the baseball as was his customary antic. Craig Nettles was the batter and he quickly jumped out of the batters’ box and began talking to his bat telling it that no matter what was said to the ball that bat should rule supreme. Fidrych struck Nettles out and he was heard to say,” Damn, I forgot I used a Japanese bat. I guess it never understood a word I said.”
Who are the Active Career Leaders in Assists, Putouts, Runs Scored and Others You Ask? Answer Here.
Milestones and Facts to Keep You Warm Today
Here some facts that you may not have known. Some may appear surprising and then some may not. I am using Baseball Reference as my source for this information.
Most Assists in Career by Active Players
- Omar Vizquel 7953
- Miguel Tejada 6116
- Derek Jeter 6032
Most Putouts by Active Players in Career
- Todd Helton 17,531
- Derrek Lee 14,910
- Paul Konerko 14,446
Most Runs Scored – Active Players in Career
- Alex Rodriguez 1835
- Derek Jeter 1783
- Johnny Damon 1643
Most Base on Ball by Active Players for Career
- Jim Thome 1727
- Chipper Jones 1460
- Bobby Abreu 1421
Most Doubles by Active Players- Career
- Todd Helton 559
- Bobby Abreu 557
- Manny Ramirez 547
Most Triples in Career by Active Players
- Carl Crawford 112
- Johnny Damon 107
- Jose Reyes 101
That’s it for now, next week we will look at some of the career leaders among active players in the Pitching Categories
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Are People Losing Interest in Major League Baseball? Is there A Problem?
Baseball is just as popular in 2011 as it was in 2010. Around the country there are tons of articles stating that the game of baseball is in a downward spiral. Are we talking about thousands upon thousands of fans not going to the games? At the end of the 2010 season ESPN reported that attendance was down 1% from the year before. Yes, 1% is miniscule when you are comparing over 73 million fans going to game.
According to a report it said that recently over 50% of American males have placed a bet on a sporting event in the last year. It stated that those that pay attention to the game of baseball can, if they are judicious, make money on baseball betting. They need to constantly check the baseball odds at BetUS for the latest before they place their bet.
Let’s look at the attendance for 2011 through July 1, 2011. Nine of the 30 teams have seen a rise in attendance from a comparable point last year. Now that sounds horrible, right? The dip in attendance across the entire major leagues is only 337 less attending games this year than last year. For more on that figures check out the figures for yourself from Baseball Reference.
Before I end this article allow me to tell you about my trip to the Field of Dreams in Dyersburg, Iowa.
Remember the words of Terence Mann in the movie?
Ray, people will come, Ray. They’ll come to Iowa for reasons they can’t even fathom. They’ll turn up your driveway, not knowing for sure why they’re doing it. They’ll arrive at your door as innocent as children, longing for the past. “Of course, we won’t mind if you have a look around,” you’ll say. “It’s only twenty dollars per person.” They’ll pass over the money without even thinking about it; for it is money they have and peace they lack.
And they’ll walk out to the bleachers, and sit in shirt-sleeves on a perfect afternoon. They’ll find they have reserved seats somewhere along one of the baselines, where they sat when they were children and cheered their heroes. And they’ll watch the game, and it’ll be as if they’d dipped themselves in magic waters. The memories will be so thick, they’ll have to brush them away from their faces.
The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It’s been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt, and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game, is a part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good, and it could be again. Ohhhhhhhh, people will come, Ray. People will most definitely come.
I drove to Iowa which is about 3-4 hours from my home. I felt compelled to go. They “they will come” line just kept creeping into my head. So one day one of my sons and I went there. On the day we went, we were the only one in attendance. It was in April and the corn was not in the fields and the place looked like what I built on my 20 acres years ago. A backstop, some bleachers and a whole lot of open area is what I made for my kids while they were growing up.
That is what baseball does to you. It gets you excited to see it and hear it and smell it and …..
I see no problem with major league baseball and an attendance problem. Many people are attending games, listening on radio, catching them on HD TV and check the baseball odds America’s Bookie for the latest. The game is not in a downhill spiral. No way, Jose.
Cardinals Shelby Miller affected by death of Rangers fan
PHOENIX (AP) – Shelby Miller’s joy at being a part of Sunday’s All-Star Futures game was tainted by the sorrow of the tragic death of a friend.
Shannon Stone, who fell to his death Thursday night at Rangers Ballpark while trying to catch a ball tossed into the stands last week, was a fellow firefighter and close friend of Miller’s father Mitch in Brownwood, Texas.
Shelby said he was speechless when he heard the news and had a hard time preventing it from affecting him as he prepared for his role for the U.S. team in Sunday’s Futures Game, which features the game’s leading minor league prospects.
“I can’t weep over it or do anything that’s going to keep me from performing well or something like that,” he said after his U.S. team’s 6-4 victory. “It’s definitely in the back of your mind. You think about it, and then you get down, and then you just try to forget about it and it’s not easy. It’s something I’m going to have to get through, me and my family are going to have to get through and the Stones are going to have to get through.”
Miller is a 20-year-old right-hander for Double-A Springfield, Mo., in the St. Louis Cardinals organization, has a fastball in the high 90s. St. Louis made him the 19th pick overall in the 2009 draft. He is 5-4 in 14 starts for Springfield with a 2.44 ERA, with 114 strikeouts and 28 walks.
Miller pitched a scoreless inning on Sunday, allowing one hit, striking out one and walking one. He said his parents were with the Stones family on Sunday but taped the game and planned to watch it later.
He remembered Stone as a great person and a great father to the 6-year-old boy who watched his dad fall to his death.
“We’ll get through it,” Miller said, “but right now it’s pretty tough.”
Baseball, Hot Dogs and Apple Pie = Americana
Nothing says America like baseball, hot dogs and apple pie.
With the Fourth of July upon us, America’s birthday has been home to many Major League Baseball milestones, moments, and, yes, birthdays. You could say baseball has provided plenty of fireworks over the years.
Not only that, but when it comes to war and our nation anthem—two things iconic with America—MLB bleeds red, white and blue.
- 3,000 not once, but twice–You’re kidding, right? The Fourth of July is the anniversary of many MLB highlights, including the 3,000th strikeout for Nolan Ryan and Phil Niekro
- So long, Lou–Every baseball fan has read, watched or listened to a clip of Lou Gehrig’s historic “Farewell Speech.” Ah, but did you know the New York Yankees great expressed he was the “luckiest man on the face of the earth” on July 4?
- Happy birthday, George–The New York Mets and Yankees have a few ties to the Fourth of July, as well. The late George Steinbrenner grew up blowing out candles on this day.
With liberty and justice for all–The Fourth of July isn’t just about the holiday itself. No, no—it’s much more than that. It’s about celebrating the this great nation of ours, past and present.
Unlike most professional leagues, MLB has been around for well over 100 years. And unlike other professional leagues, some of the greatest players to ever play had to miss valuable time on the diamond—and not because of injury. Christy Mathewson and Bob Feller just two of numerous players who sacrificed for this country.
Major League Baseball tell the story of Americana better than any.
Happy 4th of July to Everyone!
MLB: DID YOU KNOW THIS and IF NOT, NOW YOU DO
Hope you enjoy this feature:
- The Cardinals have started seven different third basemen, yet leads the NL in OPS at the position by a healthy margin.
- Major league teams have combined to produce 8.43 runs per game. According to STATS LLC, that is the lowest figure in more than 20 years.
- Braves farm hands have collected Player or Pitcher of the Week awards for 7 straight weeks.
- In 4 fewer games, Travis Wood has given up 9 more 1st inning runs than all of last year.
- Joey Votto has batted .328/.458/.493 over his last 18 games. The #Reds are just 5-13.
- Athletics also have third-worst OBP in AL.
- Danks first WhiteSox pitcher to lose first 8 decisions in one season since Eddie Smith opened 0-10 in ’42.
- Matt Garza has given up 2 four-pitch walks this year. Both to Joey Votto.
- Ethier and Kemp remain fourth and fifth, respectively, among NL outfielders in All-Star balloting.
- Troy Tulowitzki leads SS voting for All-Star game 1,409,806 votes to Jimmy Rollins’ 785,703.
- The Reds have made an out to end the game with the tying or go-ahead run at the plate 13 times this year.
- Pujols becomes third Cardinal player to win NL Player of the Week honors, Berkman did it twice.
2 games series are not good for the environment, are they?
The Cardinals start 2 series this week and they are each 2 game series.
What’s up with that? The cost of transportation needs to see a trend where the MLB goes to 4 or 5 game series the next time a schedule gets made.
Instead of Philadelphia coming into St Louis two times a year, get those done at at once. It is time for MLB go get with the environment and the energy kick and attempt to save some gas and some money.
Let’s at least investigate some ideas to cut down on the travelling each team does.
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The Reds swept the series and now take over first place. We swept them last year so all in all not a surprise. We are fast approaching 25% of the season so it is a marathon not a sprint.
For the record I bought into most of what Cordero said after the game except for his “disrespect” of Gerald Laird, for that he needs to apologize.
“Nice Pitching, Kid, Now Go Pee in a Cup”
Seriously? This is how MLB handles random drug testing?
Jaime Garcia pitched a masterpiece. Almost a perfect game and near a no-hitter.
People were saying he was dealing his stuff to the batters.
He gets the complete game shutout and everyone is happy. Media talks to him, players congratulate and he then meets up with a representative from Major League Baseball and he has a cup for Garcia to pee in.
Seriously? They don’t have a better procedure than that? They can’t get players before a game or well after the game? They have to slink into the dugout and take the life out of a young pitcher and his dominant game and wonder if he is doing drugs?
I am for testing. But minutes after the game? Bud Selig needs to get a better hold on this issue than that.
Oh wait, it was against the Milwaukee Brewers…. didn’t he once own that team?
Enough said. Now it all makes sense.
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Twitter Hitters for May 2, 2011
Let’s check out what twitter is saying that is not Osama Bin Laden related today.
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The Marlins are 7-1 in today’s starter Chris Volstad’s last eight starts. -CardinalsGM
Orioles top prospect Manny Machado was named SAL player of the wk. Has a seven-game hitting streak and 5 HRS in his last 25 ABs. – Britt Ghiroli
Must-have MLB.TV features new lower prices http://atmlb.com/kRnluQ – MLB Updates
One month into season, #Nats have pitched great, hit terribly, fielded not-so-great and are on pace for 78 wins: http://bit.ly/lRhV00 – Mark Zuckerman
Ibanez’s 0 for 34 is actually sixth-longest in modern Phillies history. Sorry for omitting you, Desi Relaford and Denny Doyle. – magelb
New Post: Big Weekend For Cardinals: While the national news of Sunday night overshadowed the diversion that is … http://bit.ly/lI3igv – C70
Tim Wakefield: Pitching Coach? http://bit.ly/kQzc6O – brphair
My Soapbox is Bigger Than Yours Is http://goo.gl/fb/7GGa4 – PitchersHit8th
Pirates discussing extension with Andrew McCutchen: There’s some good news for Pirate fans that broke last night… http://bit.ly/kKVdKF – whygavs
X-rays on Cano’s bruised hand are negative http://dlvr.it/QN0FL – Rotoworld_BB
Twins? Or White Sox? Who’s going to eventually challenge the surprising Indians? http://sbn.to/jkD89R – RobNeyer
Golden Sombrero: Derrek Lee http://dlvr.it/QMsjx Golden Sombrero
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How much does a Home Plate Umpire Effect the Game
Take a look at the games today in the National League and decide for yourself. There are some very significant numbers that lean rather heavily towards certain teams. Is that coincidence? After the games come back and check those numbers with the outcome. It will surprise some that the numbers are eerily similar.
St. Louis Cardinals at Atlanta Braves – umpire is Tim Hudson
- Road team is 4-0 in Hudsons last 4 Saturday games behind home plate vs. St. Louis.
- Under is 4-0 in Hudsons last 4 Saturday games behind home plate vs. St. Louis.
- Cardinals are 5-1 in their last 6 Saturday games with Hudson behind home plate.
- Road team is 4-1 in Hudsons last 5 games behind home plate vs. St. Louis.
- Road team is 6-2 in Hudsons last 8 Saturday games behind home plate.
- Braves are 2-6 in their last 8 games with Hudson behind home plate.
New York Mets at Philadelphia Phillies - umpire is Lance Barksdale
- Home team is 7-0 in Barksdales last 7 games behind home plate vs. New York.
- Under is 8-1-1 in Barksdales last 10 games behind home plate.
- Home team is 4-1 in Barksdales last 5 games behind home plate vs. Philadelphia.
- Under is 6-2 in Barksdales last 8 Saturday games behind home plate.
- Over is 16-6-4 in Barksdales last 26 games behind home plate vs. Philadelphia.
- Home team is 15-7 in Barksdales last 22 Saturday games behind home plate.
- Home team is 37-18 in Barksdales last 55 games behind home plate.
- Mets are 0-4 in their last 4 games with Barksdale behind home plate.
San Francisco Giants at Washington Nationals – umpire is Paul Emmel
- Road team is 4-0 in Emmels last 4 Saturday games behind home plate vs. Washington.
- Giants are 5-0 in their last 5 Saturday games with Emmel behind home plate.
- Home team is 5-0 in Emmels last 5 Saturday games behind home plate vs. San Francisco.
- Road team is 5-1 in Emmels last 6 games behind home plate vs. Washington.
- Under is 5-1 in Emmels last 6 Saturday games behind home plate vs. Washington.
- Road team is 4-1 in Emmels last 5 games behind home plate vs. San Francisco.
- Over is 3-1-1 in Emmels last 5 Saturday games behind home plate.
- Giants are 19-7 in their last 26 games with Emmel behind home plate.
- Road team is 8-3 in Emmels last 11 games behind home plate.
- Under is 5-2 in Emmels last 7 games behind home plate vs. San Francisco.
- Nationals are 0-4 in their last 4 games with Emmel behind home plate.
Milwaukee Brewers at Houston Astros – umpire is Derryl Cousins
- Road team is 5-0 in Cousins’ last 5 games behind home plate.
- Over is 5-0 in Cousins’ last 5 games behind home plate vs. Houston.
- Over is 8-2-1 in Cousins’ last 11 games behind home plate.
- Over is 4-1 in Cousins’ last 5 games behind home plate vs. Milwaukee.
- Road team is 7-2 in Cousins’ last 9 Saturday games behind home plate.
- Home team is 13-4 in Cousins’ last 17 games behind home plate vs. Milwaukee.
- Road team is 5-2 in Cousins’ last 7 games behind home plate vs. Houston.
- Brewers are 0-7 in their last 7 games with Cousins behind home plate.
Florida Marlins at Cincinnati Reds – umpire is Joe West
- Over is 4-0 in Wests last 4 Saturday games behind home plate.
- Road team is 4-0 in Wests last 4 Saturday games behind home plate vs. Cincinnati.
- Reds are 14-3 in their last 17 games with West behind home plate.
- Over is 4-1 in Wests last 5 games behind home plate.
- Home team is 6-2 in Wests last 8 Saturday games behind home plate.
- Under is 15-5-1 in Wests last 21 games behind home plate vs. Florida.
- Road team is 12-4 in Wests last 16 games behind home plate vs. Florida.
- Home team is 38-15 in Wests last 53 games behind home plate.
- Road team is 5-2 in Wests last 7 games behind home plate vs. Cincinnati.
- Over is 5-2 in Wests last 7 Saturday games behind home plate vs. Cincinnati.
- Marlins are 0-4 in their last 4 games with West behind home plate.
Chicago Cubs at Arizona Diamondbacks - umpire is Larry Vanover
- Road team is 4-1 in Vanovers last 5 Saturday games behind home plate.
- Under is 4-1 in Vanovers last 5 games behind home plate vs. Arizona.
- Over is 3-1-1 in Vanovers last 5 Saturday games behind home plate.
- Home team is 6-2 in Vanovers last 8 games behind home plate vs. Chicago.
- Under is 5-2-1 in Vanovers last 8 games behind home plate.
- Home team is 7-3 in Vanovers last 10 games behind home plate vs. Arizona.
- Under is 11-5-1 in Vanovers last 17 games behind home plate vs. Chicago.
- Diamondbacks are 1-8 in their last 9 games with Vanover behind home plate.
Pittsburgh Pirates at Colorado Rockies – umpire is Eric Cooper
- Rockies are 4-0 in their last 4 games with Cooper behind home plate.
- Over is 4-0 in Coopers last 4 Saturday games behind home plate vs. Colorado.
- Over is 4-0 in Coopers last 4 games behind home plate vs. Pittsburgh.
- Road team is 9-2 in Coopers last 11 games behind home plate vs. Colorado.
- Over is 4-1 in Coopers last 5 games behind home plate vs. Colorado.
- Over is 36-14-4 in Coopers last 54 Saturday games behind home plate.
- Home team is 15-7 in Coopers last 22 games behind home plate.
- Pirates are 0-6 in their last 6 games with Cooper behind home plate.
San Diego Padres at Los Angeles Dodgers – umpire is Bob Davidson
- Over is 5-0 in Davidsons last 5 games behind home plate vs. Los Angeles.
- Home team is 5-1 in Davidsons last 6 games behind home plate.
- Padres are 5-1 in their last 6 games with Davidson behind home plate.
- Home team is 19-7 in Davidsons last 26 Saturday games behind home plate.
- Dodgers are 3-7 in their last 10 games with Davidson behind home plate.
Umpire trends are courtesy of COVERS.
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Makes you want to go hmmm.
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