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GrimmyDee · 09-18-2007, 07:29 AM

with Mel Allen
Special Month of April Edition
Wednesday, April 6 - Saturday, April 30, 1977

Players of the Week

__

Player of the Month Awards - April

__

Prospecting For Gold

Mark Fidrych
Detroit Tigers
1974 Draft - 10th Round (Tigers)
Prospect Listing: 2

Scouting Report:
Even though he is only 22 years old, Mark "The Bird" Fidrych can hardly be called a prospect anymore. Making the Detroit roster as a non-roster invitee in 1976, Fidrych would go on to win 19 games for the Tigers, was named the starting pitcher for the American League in the All-Star game, earning the Rookie of the Year Award and finishing as the runner-up for the Cy Young Award. Even as dominating as his pitching numbers show, his popularity has soared due to his on-field antics, manicuring the mound, taking to the ball and his infamous strut around the mound after each out to name just a few. Many thought his 1977 year was over as he suffered a cartilage tear in his left knee late in spring training, but Mark has decided to put off surgery until the offseason - instead wearing a brace that immobilizes the knee and gives the leg enough support to land on. The brace is enormous,but adds to "The Bird" mystique.

Current Status:
Majors: 3-1 / 3.45 ERA / 47.0 IP / 21 BB / 17 K / 1.34 WHIP

After a superb first outing against the Royals in which he gave up just 1 earned run in 8 innings, Fidrych struggled against Toronto as the brace appeared to be a major burden to him and its bulk hurt his control. Fidrych would give up a total of 8 runs in 7 1/3 innings and really seemed out of sorts. Since that game however, Mark has been lethal, as he has gone 4-for-4 in quality starts and has yet to give up more than 3 runs in a game. The his walk total is surprisingly high for someone with the accuracy as Fidrych, however those could be a side effect of the gigantic brace on his left leg.

TSN Power Rankings Top Ten

1 (-) - (14-6): In a team full of veterans, it's 23-year old Paul Moskau (5-0, 1.54 ERA) leading the Reds' charge.
2 (-) - (13-8): LHP Ron Guidry (3-1, 2.66 ERA) has taken to the starters role very nicely.
3 (-) - (13-7): Team leads NL in extra base hits with 1B Bob "Bull" Watson leading the way (.746 SLG).
4 (-) - (15-8): George Hendrick (.341, 5 HR, 19 RBI) and Dave Winfield (.313, 5 HR, 12 RBI) are a pitchers nightmare.
5 (-) - (14-8): Rookie LF Steve Kemp is hitting .325 and The Bird is still the word in Detroit - even on one leg.
6 (-) - (14-8): 1B Rod Carew (.378) is seemingly on a quest for .400 every single season.
7 (-) - (11-6): 2B Don Money (.338, 5 HR, 8 RBI) is on pace for career highs in HR, RBI and AVG.
8 (-) - (12-8): Gaylord Perry has yet to pitch less than 8 innings in a game or give up more than 3 runs in a game.
9 (-) - (14-9): Frank Tanana and Paul Hartzell are a combined 8-1 with a 1.50 ERA. Rest of rotation? 4-7, 3.91.
10 (-) - (11-9): C Ted Simmons (19 RBI) has doubled the RBI total of any other player on the Cardinals.

09-18-2007, 07:29 AM	#17 (permalink)
GrimmyDee Minors (Double A) Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 104	with Mel Allen Special Month of April Edition Wednesday, April 6 - Saturday, April 30, 1977 Players of the Week __ __ __ __ Player of the Month Awards - April __ __ __ __ Prospecting For Gold Mark Fidrych Detroit Tigers 1974 Draft - 10th Round (Tigers) Prospect Listing: 2 Scouting Report: Even though he is only 22 years old, Mark "The Bird" Fidrych can hardly be called a prospect anymore. Making the Detroit roster as a non-roster invitee in 1976, Fidrych would go on to win 19 games for the Tigers, was named the starting pitcher for the American League in the All-Star game, earning the Rookie of the Year Award and finishing as the runner-up for the Cy Young Award. Even as dominating as his pitching numbers show, his popularity has soared due to his on-field antics, manicuring the mound, taking to the ball and his infamous strut around the mound after each out to name just a few. Many thought his 1977 year was over as he suffered a cartilage tear in his left knee late in spring training, but Mark has decided to put off surgery until the offseason - instead wearing a brace that immobilizes the knee and gives the leg enough support to land on. The brace is enormous,but adds to "The Bird" mystique. Current Status: Majors: 3-1 / 3.45 ERA / 47.0 IP / 21 BB / 17 K / 1.34 WHIP After a superb first outing against the Royals in which he gave up just 1 earned run in 8 innings, Fidrych struggled against Toronto as the brace appeared to be a major burden to him and its bulk hurt his control. Fidrych would give up a total of 8 runs in 7 1/3 innings and really seemed out of sorts. Since that game however, Mark has been lethal, as he has gone 4-for-4 in quality starts and has yet to give up more than 3 runs in a game. The his walk total is surprisingly high for someone with the accuracy as Fidrych, however those could be a side effect of the gigantic brace on his left leg. TSN Power Rankings Top Ten 1 (-) - (14-6): In a team full of veterans, it's 23-year old Paul Moskau (5-0, 1.54 ERA) leading the Reds' charge. 2 (-) - (13-8): LHP Ron Guidry (3-1, 2.66 ERA) has taken to the starters role very nicely. 3 (-) - (13-7): Team leads NL in extra base hits with 1B Bob "Bull" Watson leading the way (.746 SLG). 4 (-) - (15-8): George Hendrick (.341, 5 HR, 19 RBI) and Dave Winfield (.313, 5 HR, 12 RBI) are a pitchers nightmare. 5 (-) - (14-8): Rookie LF Steve Kemp is hitting .325 and The Bird is still the word in Detroit - even on one leg. 6 (-) - (14-8): 1B Rod Carew (.378) is seemingly on a quest for .400 every single season. 7 (-) - (11-6): 2B Don Money (.338, 5 HR, 8 RBI) is on pace for career highs in HR, RBI and AVG. 8 (-) - (12-8): Gaylord Perry has yet to pitch less than 8 innings in a game or give up more than 3 runs in a game. 9 (-) - (14-9): Frank Tanana and Paul Hartzell are a combined 8-1 with a 1.50 ERA. Rest of rotation? 4-7, 3.91. 10 (-) - (11-9): C Ted Simmons (19 RBI) has doubled the RBI total of any other player on the Cardinals. Last edited by GrimmyDee : 09-18-2007 at 07:31 AM.