Mark "The Bird" Fidrych (1954-2009) was a Major League Baseball player for the Detroit Tigers from 1976-1980.

He appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated with Big Bird in the June 6, 1977 issue.

In his minor league years, he was nicknamed "The Bird" by a coach, for his resemblance to Big Bird (Fidrych stood 6'3").^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ The Boston Globe Obituary