Despite his iconic status and memorable nickname, The Bird really only had one outstanding season: 1976. Fidrych was only 21 years old, just 20 months out of high school and four months out of the minor leagues.
Bill Dow with the Detroit Free Press, captured the 1976 season in a quote from former Detroit Tigers player Jim Wockenfuss: “I talked to older guys who knew the Babe Ruth era and they said there was more excitement that summer than ever because Fid brought fun back to the game.”
The Bird’s timing couldn’t have been any better.