RIP Mark Fidrych and Harry Kalas

Two notable sports deaths on Monday: Massachusetts own and former major league pitcher Mark Fidrych died in an apparent accident at his home at age 54, who was a national sensation in 1976 when he went 19-9 for the Detroit Tigers and thrilled the country by talking to the baseball and smoothing out the mound between innings. Truly one of a kind and supposedly one of the nicest and most down to earth athletes in New England's proud athletic history. He was ruined by injuries, but for that one season he was the biggest name in baseball and the most beloved athlete in the country. There is a great movie out there to be made of his magical 1976 season and subsequent injury problems.

And Phillies and pro football announcer Harry Kalas died of natural causes. Long known as the voice of NFL Films, he had a voice for the ages. A supposedly terrific Phillies announcer, though he will always be more noted for his NFL work in my eyes.

Knowing that these two beloved sports figures lived long and wonderful lives makes their passing a bit easier to take for this sports fan. The death of a young man or woman is a tragedy, but the death of an adult who has touched many lives is an opportunity to celebrate all that they have accomplished. Thanks for the memories, Bird and Harry...