Former Tigers phenom 'Bird' Fidrych dies

They say celebrity deaths always go in threes, and that's unfortunately the case here.

Mark Fidrych was found dead in an apparent accident at his Massachusetts farm Monday afternoon. The former Detroit Tigers pitcher was 54.

Fidrych was known affectionately as "The Bird" because of his tall frame and bushy, curly hair-do - ala Big Bird from Sesame Street. He also was known for his peculiar nature on the mound, including regularly talking to the baseball before throwing it.

Fidrych was the American League's Rookie of the Year in 1976 after going 19-9 with a 2.34 earned run average. He was beset by injuries shortly after that season, compiling only a 29-19 record and 3.10 ERA in parts of five MLB seasons.

His personal catcher during his first big major league season was Bruce Kimm, the former Chicago Cubs manager and Norway resident. Kimm was unavailable for comment Monday.

According to reports, Fidrych was found dead pinned beneath a pickup truck he appeared to be working on at his farm in Northborough, Mass.

Here's an old 1985 interview of Fidrych. Catch the youthful-looking Steve Stone: