Doug Wilson

The first biography of the eccentric Detroit Tigers pitcher, rookie All-Star starter, '70s pop icon, and first athlete on the cover of Rolling Stone.
"A well-written, definitive book about a good guy with a great story." —The Wall Street Journal

For those who remember him, Mark Fidrych is still that player who brings a smile to your face, the irresistibly likable pitcher whose sudden rise brightened the star-spangled season of 1976 and reminded us of the pure joy of the game.

Fidrych exploded onto the national stage during the Bicentennial summer as a rookie with the Detroit Tigers. He won over fans nationwide with his wildly endearing antics. But The Bird was no mere sideshow. The nonroster invitee to spring training that year quickly emerged as one of the best pitchers in the game. Opposingteams would specifically ask the Tigers to shuffle their rotation so Fidrych would pitch in their cities. A rare player who transcended pop culture, Fidrych was named starting pitcher in the All-Star Game as a rookie and became the first athlete from a team sport to appear on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine.

Baseball researcher Doug Wilson delivers the first biography of this once-in-a-lifetime player. Through extensive interviews and meticulous research, the author recounts Fidrych's meteoric rise to the big leagues, his heartbreaking fall after injuries, his last unforgettable game during a comeback attempt in the minors and, finally, his death in a freak accident in 2009.

The Bird gives readers a long overdue look into the life of the refreshing rookie the likes of which baseball had never seen before—and has never seen since.

"A compassionate, engaging biography of a player whose star shone brightly if briefly." —Booklist
"The next time the business side of the modern game gets you down, The Bird should prove the perfect antidote." —BaseballAmerica.com

Thomas Dunne Books

The Bird: The Life and Legacy of Mark Fidrych

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