Photo: Carol Duda
NORTHBORO, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — A new podcast explores the life and career of Detroit Tigers pitcher and Northboro, Mass. native Mark "The Bird" Fidrych, 50 years after his complete game against the New York Yankees.
On June 28, 1976, Fidrych threw a complete game for the Tigers, who ended up beating the first-place Yankees, 5-1. The game was broadcast nationally to millions of people watching ABC's Monday Night Baseball.
"That game really propelled Fidrych to national superstardom and the rest of 1976 was a whirlwind for him," said Leominster's Andy Baron.
The podcast, titled The Bird: The Spirit of '76, features interviews with Fidrych's former teammates, friends and family. Baron said he also spoke with sports writers and pop culture experts.
"It's a podcast that explores one of the most eccentric and charismatic players in major league history but it also gets into some of the learning and some of the early childhood challenges he had and how he was able to use athletics as a means to really propel in sports," said Baron.
After his retirement at the age of 29, Fidrych dedicated himself to helping to children with special needs. The Mark Fidrych Foundation is dedicated to helping children and adults with special needs by getting them involved in sports.
"Quietly, the Mark Fidrych Foundation has really done a terrific job recognizing the need for funding and for everyone to have an opportunity to get involved in sports," said Baron.
The podcast will release on Sunday, which will be the 50-year anniversary of Fidrych's complete game.
WBZ NewsRadio's Jared Brosnan (@JaredBrosnanWBZ) reports.