1977 Topps Baseball #265 - Mark Fidrych

• Mark Fidrych had a magical season in 1976. Although he was unable to duplicate that performance, he holds a special place in the hearts of many.
• Fidrych was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 10th round in 1974. Mark made a rapid ascent up the ladder in the Detroit system and was ready for the big leagues by 1976.
• At first it wasn't guaranteed that Fidrych would make the Detroit ballclub. Mark made the team as a fifth starter. He made two relief appearances before getting his first start on May 15. Fidrych was impressive -- he pitched a complete game and the Tigers beat the Cleveland Indians 2-1. Mark continued to rack up the complete games (including two that lasted 11 innings) and had a 7-1 record when the New York Yankees came to town for a nationally televised Monday night game on June 28. The Tigers beat the Yankees 5-1 as Mark pitched a complete game and showed the viewers how much fun a baseball game can be.
• Fidrych started the 1976 All Star Game and took the loss as he allowed two runs in two innings pitched.
• Mark ended up with a 19-9 record and an ERA of 2.34. He completed a league-leading 24 games (out of 29 starts) and was the easy choice for AL Rookie of the Year.
• Cuckoo Over A Rara Avis - July 28, 1976 Sports Illustrated
• Will Mark Fidrych Defy The 'Sophomore Jinx'? - April 1977 Baseball Digest
• In 1977 Mark Fidrych had knee surgery and didn't pitch until May 27. Fidrych was injured while shagging fly balls in spring training. He pitched a complete game in his first start, went six innings in his next start, and then pitched six straight complete games. He won all six of those starts. Mark was selected to the 1977 AL All Star team but didn't pitch in the game. Fidrych was injured on July 12 and didn't pitch for the rest of the season. The Tigers sent him home in late August and had him rest his ailing arm. 
• The Bird Flaps But Doesn't Flop - June 6, 1977 Sports Illustrated
• It looked like The Bird was back when the 1978 season started. He pitched complete game victories in his first two starts of the year. In his third start on April 17 Mark left after the fourth inning. He was upset about being removed from the game, but manager Ralph Houk didn't want to take any chances after Fidrych told him he couldn't get loose. Mark was scratched from his next start and eventually was placed on the disabled list. It was his last game of the 1978 season. Mark was 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA in three starts. Fidrych also made four starts for Class A Lakeland toward the end of the season (1-1, 3.46 ERA).
• Fidrych had another rough year in 1979. He made four starts in May and was hammered in each of them. Mark was placed on the disabled list on May 23. He ended up 0-3 with a 10.43 ERA in four starts. Mark pitched a pain-free inning in late September in the Florida Instructional League.
• Mark struggled in 1980 as well. Fidrych got into a war of words with manager Sparky Anderson about his demotion to the minors. He started the season pitching for AAA Evansville but his future was in doubt after starting the season 0-2 with a 9.39 ERA in four starts. Fidrych stuck with it and ended up 6-7 with a 3.92 ERA in 24 games (18 starts) for Evansville. Mark was brought up in August. He made nine starts for the Tigers and was 2-3 with a 5.68 ERA.
• Fidrych didn't pitch well in spring training in 1981. He was placed on waivers because the Tigers were out of minor league options. Mark cleared waivers and was sent to Evansville. Fidrych made 24 appearances (9 starts) for Evansville and was 6-3 with a 5.75 ERA. He was told on August 17 that he wouldn't be brought up to the Tigers in 1981. The Tigers released Fidrych after the 1981 season.
• In February 1982 Fidrych signed a  minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox. He pitched for AAA Pawtucket for two seasons but had a tough time. In 1982 Mark was 6-8 with a 4.98 ERA and in 1983 he was 2-5 with a 9.68 ERA in 12 games (8 starts). Fidrych retired in late June 1983.
• In 1985 Fidrych was examined by Dr. James Andrews. Dr. Andrews discovered a torn rotator cuff. An operation was performed, but it was too late to save Mark's career.
• After his playing career Fidrych worked on his 107 acre farm in Northborough, Massachusetts. Mark died in an accident on his farm on April 13, 2009. He was working under a truck when his clothing became caught in a power take-off shaft. Fidrych died of suffocation.
• 1977 Stats: 6-4, 2.89 ERA in 11 starts
• 1977 Highlights:
• June 16 - Allowed one run on eight hits as he got a complete game 4-1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays.
• June 20 - Mark allowed only three hits and pitched a complete game as the Tigers beat the New York Yankees 2-1.
• July 12 - Pitched to three batters before leaving the game with an arm injury. It was the last time Mark pitched in 1977.
• Other card blogs: 1978, 1979, 1980
• Here is an interview with Mark from 1985:

• Footage from his Monday Night Baseball game on June 28, 1976. This is the game that put Fidrych in the national spotlight.

1977 Topps Baseball #7 - 1976 Earned Run Average Leaders

• Bird!!!!!
• There are a lot of lesser-known pitchers on this card.
• The 1976 season was a magical one for Mark Fidrych. It really is too bad he was unable to repeat his success in future seasons. He was fun to watch.
• Here is a video of Mark's appearance on Monday Night Baseball in June 1976:

• John Denny had a good year in 1976. His 11-9 record prevented him from getting consideration for the NL Cy Young Award, but he would win the award in 1983.