Mark (The Bird) Fidrych spent five seasons with the Tigers. (Ezra O. Shaw/Getty Images)

Former major-league pitcher Mark (The Bird) Fidrych has died in an apparent accident at his farm in Northborough, Mass.

He was 54.

Worcester County district attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. confirmed Monday that a family friend found Fidrych about 2:30 p.m. ET beneath a pickup truck.

It looked like Fidrych was repairing the truck, the prosecutor said.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland told reporters he was simply too upset to comment.

"I'm going to tell you right now that I won't be able to handle it," Leyland said. "I'm not going to discuss it because I would just make a fool of myself."

Fidrych, a colourful and charismatic right-hander, broke into the majors with the Detroit Tigers in 1976, earning American League rookie of the year honours.

He posted a 19-9 record with a 2.34 earned-run average that season, pitching a remarkable 24 complete games in 31 starts.

"In the years he was here, he was probably the most popular Detroit Tiger there has ever been," said Al Kaline, a Hall of Fame outfielder and broadcaster for the Tigers.

"He was a tremendous young man who won over everyone because he was having such fun out there."

'He was just being himself'

Fidrych was a two-time all-star in five seasons with the Tigers before arm and shoulder injuries cut short his career, retiring in 1980 with a career mark of 29-19 and 3.10 ERA with five shutouts in 56 starts and two relief appearances.

Lanky with a plume of blond hair, he resembled Big Bird from Sesame Street — hence, the nickname.

Fidrych further endeared himself to major-league fans with his antics on the mound.

He often dropped to his knees to smooth out the dirt, would race over to shake hands with an infielder following a slick play, and talk to himself as he held the ball in front of him before beginning his windup — making it look like he was talking to ball.

"When he started, there were people who thought he was trying to show them up, but everyone quickly realized that he was just being himself," Kaline said. "He was great for this city because he brought back the older fans and he brought in so many younger fans."

With files from the Associated Press