Fidrych had "a talent that was exceptional and an approach to his game that was both
uninhibited and refreshing," said author
Donald Honig, noting that Fidrych "talked
to the ball, shook hands with his infielders after good plays, cavorted with the
pure joy and unrestrained enthusiasm of a Little Leaguer." The 6'3" righthander with
flowing, blond curls was the talk of baseball in 1976, starting and losing the All-Star
Game, and going 19-9 for the Tigers with 24 complete games and a 2.34 ERA - both
AL-bests. Arm trouble limited him to just ten ML wins after his Rookie of the Year
showing.
(TJ)