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Troy KirkMark (the Bird) Fidrych. In 1976, Brooks Robinson said he didn't even know Fidrych was on the team the first time he played against the Tigers, and by the next time they played he was the biggest sensation in baseball. Fidrych was everything great about baseball, a unique spirit who wasn't afraid to manicure the mound to his liking on his hands and knees between innings. Just electric, and the crowds were huge for all his starts. I got to see him once in Oakland that year, when he lost 2-1 in 10 innings. I've never seen anyone like him before or since.
Favorite old-timer is Ty Cobb because of his brilliant baserunning, regularly scoring from first on singles, and going from 1st to 3rd on bunts. When was the last time you saw a modern player do either of those?