Some Recognition for Ajax

That's right, crack a smile.

Austin Jackson's snubbing in the AL Rookie of the Year voting didn't keep him from winning the most coveted award of all: the Topps Rookie Cup. For those not familiar, you might remember the rookie cup from iconic cards of iconic players such as this:



Or, um, this:

While there are risks inherent in creating an All Star Team of Rookies, as Topps does every year--namely that the majority of said rookies will end up as middling major leaguers--you can't argue that you need to have been a pretty darn good rookie to earn the award.

Although I have to believe there was a better pitcher than a 28-year old Mark Leiter that took the world by storm, going 9-7 with a 4.21 ERA and 1.30 WHIP.

Like maybe this guy:



Oops.

Parting Shots

I couldn't resist. This is recommended reading as well (H/T to Lake Effect Cards)

Remembering Mark Fidrych

Mark Fidrych came before my time. My parents remember him very very well and could tell the great stories that only people who experienced him first hand, on a summer night in Tiger Stadium could. However, they're visiting my sister in Italy and couldn't relay a nice story for me to tell. If you want a well done story, Mark Rosenberg did an excellent job this evening.

All my life people have told me about "The Bird"--what he was like, how good he was, how sad that his career was cut short. How great the Tigers could have been with Mark Fidrych for a whole career. I will never forget the only time I ever saw him, with all of these great stories already impressed in my mind. He was in front of a packed Tiger Stadium, walking to the mound. Once he got there he stooped down and with his hand made a little pile of dirt. The crowd went absolutely wild, and I could almost see what he must have looked like doing that in 1976. He scooped the dirt into a plastic bag to make his final appearance at Tiger Stadium on the day it closed in 1999. Memories of being choked up that night certainly hit me a little harder at the moment.

While I never saw Fidrych in person again, two years ago my family celebrated my Grandpa's 90th Birthday. The family patriarch, he has stories of going to Tigers games every year since the days of Ty Cobb, with the exception of when he was stationed for World War II. I won't even try to get into the stories that he has of Tigers games dating back to the '20s. However, the Tigers organization, made aware of his 90th birthday, sent him a fan appreciation basket for sticking with the team for all these years. In addition to some Hank Greenberg signed items (Jews in Detroit understand his impact...speaking of stories. Watch The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg and you'll understand), a centerpiece of the box was a ball personalized by Mark Fidrych.

George, Happy 90th Birthday Mark Fidrych

"Oh Danny, remember Fidrych? He was something. The way he'd talk to himself out there like a crazy man and jump over lines. But boy was he great. Ruined his arm, but he was great."

"Yeah, I remember"

Which I did, strangely. All of the stories brought him to life for me, and will keep him alive as long as people tell them.

So long, Bird. We will never forget you, even those of us that never saw you play.

Enough is Enough: RIP Mark Fidrych

Oh come on. I was driving home listening to ESPN Radio this afternoon and amidst hearing about Harry Kalas' tragic death this afternoon, the semi-hourly radio Sportscenter segment mentioned that Mark Fidrych was found dead at his farm today. ESPN the website confirms it.

So, for the second time in a month, this site is going black--this time for "The Bird"



This 1979 card is one of two Birds that I have (the other is 1980) and just ended up in my possession courtesy of Scott at Hand Collated. The envelope he sent is one of many that I haven't been able to post yet.

Fidrych was only 54.

For the sake of the game, no more deaths for awhile, OK? Let's stick with this "bad luck comes in threes" thing. The tragic death of Nick Adenhardt, the unexpected and hard hitting loss of Harry Kalas and the loss of one of Detroit's most animated sports alumni, at least while he was still playing.

With the loss of Kell earlier this year, the Tigers have really had it tough this year.

So RIP to The Bird, and all of the other wonderful baseball men that we've lost recently.