Mark Fidrych from the Chronology

Jun 29, 1983 - Mark Fidrych‚ in the 2nd year of an extended comeback attempt with the Pawtucket Red Sox (International League)‚ retires. The 1976 AL Rookie of the Year was 2-5 with a 9.68 ERA.

Aug 12, 1980 - Tiger Stadium is packed with 48‚361 fans to see Mark Fidrych's return to the big leagues‚ a 5-4 loss to the Red Sox. The 1976 AL Rookie of the Year will go 2-3 with a 5.73 ERA in what will be his final attempt to come back from injury‚ and his last ML season.

Apr 22, 1978 - Mark Fidrych‚ who had to leave his last game when his shoulder tightened‚ warms up but is unable to start against Texas. But the Tigers top the Rangers‚ 7-6‚ in 10 innings‚ on the strength of John Hiller nifty four innings of shutout relief.

Apr 13, 1978 - The Tigers take two from Texas‚ winning 6-2 behind Dave Rozema‚ and 3-2 behind the pitching of Mark Fidrych. The Bird gives up a 2-run homer in the first‚ but zeroes after that.

Apr 12, 1978 - Ranger P Rogelio Moret announces he is going home rather than pitch. In the locker room‚ the pitcher freezes in a catatonic state‚ his extended arm holding a bathroom slipper. He is taken to a psychiatric facility and will go on the disabled list for most of the season‚ appearing in just 6 more games. Texas loses‚ 3-2‚ to Detroit and Mark Fidrych (20). Oliver's 2-run HR in the 1st is all the Texas scoring off the Bird.

Apr 7, 1978 - Mark Fidrych scatters 5 hits in beating Toronto‚ 6-2. The Tigers get homers from Milt May‚ Phil Mankowski‚ and Jason Thompson. The Bird‚ trying to recover from tendinitis that limited him to 11 starts in 1977‚ will win only 3 more ML games.

Mar 21, 1977 - Mark Fidrych‚ the 1976 Rookie of the Year‚ rips the cartilage in his left knee and will undergo surgery in ten days . The injury will effectively end the fabled career of the Bird.

Nov 5, 1976 - Baltimore's Jim Palmer easily outpoints Detroit's sensational rookie Mark Fidrych to win the AL Cy Young Award.

Sep 3, 1976 - The Brewers crush the Tigers and Mark Fidrych‚ 11-2‚ as Mike Hegan hits for the cycle and drives in 6 runs.

Jul 13, 1976 - The NL emerges victorious in the annual All-Star Game by a score of 7-1. George Foster‚ one of 7 Reds position players on the squad‚ homers‚ drives in 3 runs‚ is named the game's MVP. Rookie Mark Fidrych gives up 2 runs and takes the loss. It is the NL's 13th win in the last 14 games.

Jul 3, 1976 - The Tigers rookie sensation Mark Fidrych shuts out the Orioles 4-0 for his 8th straight victory.

May 15, 1976 - Mark Fidrych wins his first ML start‚ a complete-game 2-hit 2-1 victory over the Indians. The Bird holds the Indians hitless for 6 innings‚ talks to the ball‚ and tamps down the mound before toeing the rubber each inning.