Flip’Em The Bird
I’m talking about Mark "The Bird" Fidrych. Yeah, the Tartan Army took over Boston in 2026. But Massachusetts-born Mark Fidrych took over America during our Bicentennial in 1976.
The Bird was a rookie pitcher for the Detroit Tigers. They said he was the most famous man in America that year. During “Birdmania,” he packed every major league ballpark he pitched in, coast to coast. This guy talked to the baseball, was always landscaping the mound with his hands, and if a Tigers infielder made a great play, he'd leave the mound and shake his hand.
The Bird was the American League Rookie of the Year. He shut down the mighty New York Yankees and started the All-Star Game. He won 19 games that season and was called a cultural phenomenon. And he's still the only baseball player ever to appear on the cover of Rolling Stone.
Fidrych had learning challenges as a kid. He was bullied but later had a real impact on children with special needs who saw themselves in him. His career ended far too early because of injuries. Sadly, he died at 54 while working underneath his Mack truck. But The Bird sure as hell gave us a memorable Bicentennial.
That was an interesting year. Steve Jobs got Apple going. Jimmy Carter was president. We watched the first Rocky. Charlie's Angels was on TV. Paul McCartney and Wings had the No. 1 hit with "Silly Love Songs” and Muhammad Ali was heavyweight champion of the world.
What we need now, more than ever, are people like the Tartan Army and Mark "The Bird" Fidrych—people who know how to bring the fun. Keep your dukes up.
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