Opponents tried everything they could think of, but the spectacle only grew.
On July 20, 1976, Mark “The Bird” Fidrych delivered his 12th complete game in just 13 starts, leading the Tigers past the Twins 8–3. Already 11–2 as a rookie, Fidrych continued to captivate fans with nonstop energy, quirks, and dominance on the mound. The buzz was so intense that 30,425 fans—the Twins’ largest crowd of the season—packed the park to see him up close.
🕵️ Inside Today’s Original Newspaper Coverage:
Twins’ pregame superstition involving 13 homing pigeons
A Big Bird costume invades the dugout roof
Fidrych’s animated rituals between every pitch and inning
The original newspaper coverage of this moment is just below.
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