This is something for people of my generation – 55-65 – ” Mark “The Bird” Fidrych was found dead today, age 54, apparently working under his truck. Fidrych was a baseball player, and “a character”, one who who got down on his knees and patted the mound around him as he talked to himself while pitching for the Detroit Tigers in the 1970’s. He was animated, urging on his team mates, congratulating them with high fives after good innings. He earned the nickname “The Bird” because of his posture and curly locks – he reminded people of Sesame Street’s Big Bird.
He made baseball fun, he energized Detroit. He only played 58 games because of injuries – injuries of the type that today can be repaired by surgery. But he never complained. He retired, bought a farm, married his girl friend, had a daughter. I just saw him on MLB Network recently, and he was aging well, was happy and outgoing. A nice guy.
Piece of Mindful 