Mark Fidrych

Mark "The Bird" Fidrych was a former Major League Baseball player. He was a starting pitcher for the Detroit Tigers. In 1976, he was named the American League Rookie of the Year and was also selected to the American League All-Star team in 1976 and 1977.

Fidrych was found dead on April 13, 2009, underneath his dumptruck at his Northboro, Massachusetts, home. His death was ruled an accident, as his clothing became tangled with a moving part on the truck, causing his suffocation.ESPN.com: Examiner: Fidrych Suffocated to Death The Detroit Tigers honored Fidrych during the pregame ceremonies at their April 15, 2009, game.ESPN.com: Detroit Tigers Honor Late Pitcher Mark Fidrych with Pregame Tribute

Mark Steven Fidrych was born in Worcester, Massachusetts on August 14, 1954. On April 20, 1976 he made his Major League Baseball debut with the Detroit Tigers. In his first start, Fidrych earned a complete game victory over the Cleveland Indians. He earned notoriety from the media for his unusual superstitions during a game which included patting down the mound with his hand in between innings and talking to the baseball before a pitch. He was selected to the American League All-star team in 1976 and later was named the AL Rookie of the year. In his second season he was selected again to the American League All-Star team, but he declined to participate due to an injury to his shoulder. It was later determined that he tore a labrum in his pitching arm. The injury would lead to his retirement in 1980.ESPN.com: In '76, Bird was the word

• August 14, 1954: Born
• 1976: MLB debut
• 1977: American League All-Star
• 1980: Retires from Baseball
• 2009: Died