Mark “the Bird” Fidrych (1954-2009) was a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Detroit Tigers who became popular with fans for his on-field antics, including “manicuring the mound” by fixing cleat marks on the pitcher's mound and often talking to himself and the ball. In 1976, he won the American League Rookie of the Year Award and was the starting pitcher in the 1976 All Star game. As a youth, Mark played baseball at Memorial Field in Northborough.