Mark 'The Bird' Fidrych Book Released Tuesday

On Tuesday, March 26, the first biography of Mark "The Bird" Fidrych is set to be released. Fidrych was a Northborough native and was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in 1975, breaking numerous records and named "rookie of the year." After retiring, he moved back home to his farm, where he died tragically in an accident in 2009.

"The Bird: The Life and Legacy of Mark Fidrych" is available on March 26.

From the Amazon biography, which calls Fidrych the "eccentric pitcher, rookie All-Star starter, '70s pop icon and first athlete on the cover of Rolling Stone": "For those who remember him, Mark Fidrych is still that player who brings a smile to your face, the irresistibly likable pitcher whose sudden rise brightened the star-spangled season of 1976 and reminded us of the pure joy of the game. Lanky, mop-topped, and nicknamed for his resemblance to Big Bird on Sesame Street, Fidrych exploded onto the national stage during the Bicentennial summer as a rookie with the Detroit Tigers. He won over fans nationwide with his wildly endearing antics such as talking to the ball---and throwing back the ones that 'had hits in them'; getting down on his knees to “manicure” the mound of any cleat marks; and shaking hands with just about everyone from teammates to groundskeepers to cops during and after games. Female fans tried to obtain locks of his hair from his barber and even named babies after him."

The Detroit Free Press offers an exclusive glimpse at the book, and published excerpts on Sunday.

Amazon.com is offering pre-orders of the book here.

The Wall Street Journal reported on the new book, writing, "With that same sense of wonder now elicited by pictures of a Korean man doing a funny dance or a dog playing a piano or some high school basketball player sinking a half-court shot to capture a state title as time expires, the entire country fell in love with a rookie who pretty much had arrived from nowhere to fidget and fret, talk to the ball and dominate the most feared hitters in his game. He was equal parts Cy Young, Jerry Lewis and the kid next door. He was irresistible."