Sun
Apr
19
We’ll miss you, Mark.
My folks took me to a Tigers game on my 16th birthday (8/14/77). We sat behind home plate, just to the first base side. Fidrych was recovering from a knee injury, but we got to see him shagging throws during outfield practice. He looked like he was having outrageous fun on his 23rd birthday. Even though he was not going to pitch, Tiger stadium was packed just to catch a glimpse of him. On that day, I was close enough to see the spin on Dave Rozema’s best stuff in a 6-5 Tigers’ victory. Ben Oglivie hit two home runs in the game and Rod Carew stole home. But among those memories of that magical day in Detroit, was my glimpse of Mark “The Bird” Fidrych having great fun on our birthday.
