Mark Fidrych

By Allyson Turner

The 6-foot-3 right-hander for the Detroit Tigers was as off-beat as they come. Known as 'The Bird' for his lanky frame, wild hair and eccentric demeanor, it wasn't rare to see him in conversation with the baseball. His professional career spanned from 1976 through 1983, winning Rookie of the Year in 1976 with a 19-9 record, 24 complete games and a 2.34 ERA, both AL bests. After his stellar season in 1976, Fidrych blew out his arm and never regained the power. In 1981 he signed with the Red Sox and retired in 1983. 'The Bird' currently lives on his farm in Massachusetts with his wife and daughter and remains as animated as ever.

Did the ball ever talk back?
Yeah, when it left the ballpark it said, 'See ya later. I'm not coming back.'

What is your pet peeve?
My lawn. I'm neurotic about it.

Who makes you laugh?
Not my boss. Robin Williams -- I liked him when he played Mork from Mork & Mindy.

What is a typical day for you now?
Get up about 5 a.m. Clean the sheep pen. See Emily (his cow), say hello to her and see how she's doing. Jump in my 10 wheeler and go to work.

What are you in awe of?
The world because it has changed so much since the 70's. It's changed a lot that it makes me say wow. The way kids grow up today. It's the computer world. It's not easy to be a kid. We had our pressures but I can't run a computer and I have no intentions to learn. I see kids on the computers, playing games for hours and they don't know how to build a tree fort. They're missing a lot.

If you could have someone over to your house for dinner, who would you invite?
My buddy Mickey Stanley because he's never been to my house.

Do you have any regrets?
I would've liked to play the drums.

If you could be someone else for a day, who would it be?
Someone who could sing. Bruce Springsteen. Yeah, Bruce Springsteen.

It's your last meal, where and what do you eat?
Three-pound lobster with some steamers right down on my farm. I'd just sit and relax.

What was the best part about being a professional athlete?
I miss the excitement.

What was the worst?
When I got hurt because the excitement was gone.

Who was your greatest inspiration?
My father.

What is your favorite place in the world?
I don't have one. I've been to a lot of places. I guess right on my farm sitting by the pool.

What was the greatest moment in your athletic career?
The day I made it to the big leagues. When your friends were out running around and you had to go to practice, that sucked. But standing on the field during Opening Day made it all worthwhile.

What is a perfect day?
A sunny day and you don't have to work and you can do whatever you want.

If I were to push "play" on your CD player, what would be playing?
100.7. It's classic rock. Bruce, Crosby Stills and Nash, Elton John. I'm a variety man.

Is there anything that you are intimidated by?
Sometimes people are intimidating until you get to see what kind of mood they're in.

What in your life are you most grateful for?
My father teaching me sports. Because sports is what got me ahead in life.