The roots of “The Bird: The Spirit of '76”—a new, groundbreaking podcast on American folk hero/pop culture phenomenom Mark Fidrych—can be traced to an old-fashioned letter that my brother Andy mailed to Fidrych’s family over a year ago.
That was one of many nuggets that emerged during our half-hour chat today. In addition to delving into the genesis of Andy’s recently launched podcast, which has begun to garner media coverage from the likes of Boston’s WBZ Radio, we touched on other pieces of the remarkable Fidrych story that he gathered from family, teammates and others over the course of his reporting.
Among other topics, Andy and I discuss:
The unprecedented access to family insights that Andy gained over the last 16 months—and how they shed new light on the man behind all the quirky on-field activities that endeared Fidrych to the nation.
How Fidrych was the most captivating and popular person in America during its bicentennial summer in 1976.
Our plan, in two weeks, to attend the Major League All-Star Game and related events in Philadelphia—fittingly, the same place where Fidrych started the All-Star Game 50 years ago.
Fidrych’s impact over the years, even after his death in 2009, and why he remains as relevant as ever today.
You can check out “The Bird: The Spirit of '76" here on Spotify; there are two episodes (about 10 minutes each) available so far, with another seven to come—a new one each Sunday until mid-August. The podcast can also be found on all other major podcasting platforms, including Apple Podcasts and Amazon Music.
Thanks to everyone who tuned in today. If you didn’t get a chance to do so “live,” I invite you to click on the video above when you have a few minutes.
For more about “The Bird: The Spirit of '76,” you can find my most recent column here:
The Bird: The Spirit of ’76
Tomorrow is the 50th anniversary of Mark “The Bird” Fidrych’s introduction to America.
