While a student at Michigan State, I was not one to pay much attention to the Detroit Tigers. In those days, a kid from Cincinnati didn’t pay any attention to the American League except for one night in July and for a week in October.
However, one could not ignore a phenomenon which was arising in Tiger Stadium. Mark Fidrych was nothing if not a character. He was one of baseball’s great all-time personalities.
I just had no idea what a servant he was.
Servanthood is giving self for others without seeking return. Most of us are no good at it. “The Bird” apparently excelled.
Listen to this tribute from NPR’s Scott Simon, and you will see what I mean.
One who commented on this story on the NPR site said this:
In 2002, I produced an event at Comerica Park for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. At that event, were a half dozen or so Old-Timer, Tiger players, including Mark Fydrich. It was expected that these Former Greats spend some time in the stands with the Wish Kids and their families. Mark Fidrych was the ONLY former player that stayed with the kids for the ENTIRE game, despite the hot sun and available amennities in the General Motor’s suite. I will never forget this GRAND goofy duck. He lived life from his heart. God Bless Him!!
The world is poorer without people like this. Perhaps God would make us moreso to take his place.
[The photo comes from this excellent tribute.]