02/01/2007

Record-Eagle/Tyler Sipe
Athletes participate a Special Olympics Winter Games snowshoe heat at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa.

Athletes flock to Fidrych, Warriors

Snowmobile troop has raised more than $6.8M

BY DENNIS CHASE

dchase@record-eagle.com

Record-Eagle/Dennis Chase
Former Detroit Tigers pitcher Mark Fidrych, a member of Wertz Warriors, presenting sponsor of the Special Olympics Winter Games, signs autographs before the Games’ opening ceremonies Wednesday night at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa in Acme.

Click here from more photos from the Olympics

TRAVERSE CITY — Ron McClure was working his way down the autograph line, collecting signatures from the Wertz Warriors, when he came to Mark Fidrych.

The Special Olympic athlete from Holt looked inquisitively at the former Detroit Tiger pitcher.

"You Mark Fidrych?,” he asked.

"Yes, I'm Mark Fidrych,” the man known as 'The Bird' responded.

"You're famous,” McClure said.

Fidrych laughed.

"Only slightly,” he said.

Try telling that to nearly 900 Special Olympic athletes who filled the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa's Governors Hall on Wednesday night for the opening ceremonies to the Winter Games. They flocked to Fidrych — and his Wertz Warrior teammates — before the night's activities started, seeking autographs and pictures.

One even brought four Fidrych baseball cards from the 1970s for the former Rookie of the Year to sign.

"You're a real fan,” Fidrych said.

Many, like McClure, struck up conversations with the 19-game winner in 1976.

"He pitched for the Tigers,” McClure said. "He was lucky man.”

Fidrych still considers himself a lucky man, partly because he's able to use his fame to help others. Fidrych, who's involved in several charity events in Massachusetts, has been a member of the Wertz Warriors the last 14 years. The snowmobile group, the presenting sponsors of the Games, presented a check for $285,000 to officials Wednesday night.

"It's a great feeling to come here and do this,” Fidrych said. "I enjoy this a lot. I look forward to it every year.”

In 26 years, the Warriors have raised $6.8 million for Special Olympics.

It was a little more difficult this time, however.

"The economy is pretty tough in Michigan,” said Larry King, who's been involved all 26 years. "I do a pig roast (fund-raiser) in the summer. It used to raise $20,000 to $25,000. This year, it was $11,000.”

King and Bob Ernst are the Warriors responsible for recruiting Fidrych . They met the pitcher at a celebrity duck hunting expedition in Arkansas a number of years ago. They have been good friends ever since.

"Larry and Bob got me started on this,” Fidrych said. "I had never snowmobiled in my life. They asked me if I would do this. They said they would teach me how to snowmobile — and they have.”

The Warriors arrived at the Resort after a three-day, nearly 600-mile ride from downstate. They are heading to Johannesburg tonight.

"What keeps me going?” Fidrych asked. "The athletes. This is a great cause.”

King agreed.

"Unbelievable,” he said. "I was just talking to a little girl, who broke her own record in speed skating. She was ecstatic. She was jumping up and down. She was so excited she could hardly talk.”

Two athletes were honored during opening ceremonies for personal and athletic achievements.

Mindy Dunn won the Rick Vandersloot Sports Award named in memory of volunteer Rick Vandersloot. It honors an athlete who has trained and competed with the attitude that "nothing is impossible if I try.”

Chris Hamilton won the Timothy Krause Bunbuy Award, given to an alpine skier who has trained with enthusiasm, bravery, a sense of humor — and has achieved excellence.

Three former National Football League players in attendance received enthusiastic ovations from the Olympians — former Detroit Lions Tom Watkins and Rich Stringer, and former Michigan State linebacker Archie Matsos, who played with four NFL teams.

Fidrych took the stage to close the ceremonies.

The pitcher gained national acclaim for his antics on the mound. Although he lives near Boston, he still follows the Tigers closely — and was thrilled to see the team reach the World Series.

"I was so happy for Jim Leyland,” he said. "He wanted to be the manager of the Tigers way back in 1978. I played for Jim in the minor leagues. He was my manager in A and AAA. It was nice to see him get back into a Tigers uniform and be able to fulfill his dream. He's a great manager.”