Baseball related songs: “1976” by The Baseball Project

In this episode of Baseball related songs a second song of the Baseball Project, “1976.” In one of the previous posts about Baseball related songs, we paid attention to “Satchel Paige said“. 

The Baseball Project was formed in 2007 by Peter Buck, Mike Mills (both R.E.M.), Scott McCaughey (The Young Fresh Fellows and The Minus 5), Steve Wynn (The Dream Syndicate) and Linda Pitmon (several bands and cooperations).

“1976” is the opening track of the Baseball Project’s second album “High and inside.”

“1976” is about and inspired by the death (2009) of Mark Fydrich, that year’s rookie of the year. The youngster posted a 2.34 ERA (best in the American League) and had a 19-9 record for the season. His future looked promising but after that fantastic debut year, Fydrich was hit by injuries that shortened his career to only five seasons. Despite the superb performance of Fydrich in that year, the Detroit Tigers only finished fourth in the American League East with a 74-87 record.

The song “1976” refers to mirrors playing tricks, likely nodding to the cocaine used that was widespread in baseball in those days. The part “When we wake up and find this bird has flown?” refers to the death of Fydrich (nicknamed the Bird) in 2009.

The style of “1976” can be compared with several songs performed by the late Tom Petty.

The lyrics of “1976” are as follows:

Saw your picture in the paper today
And I couldn’t believe my eyes
Dead before your time
But so long beyond your prime

Looking nothing like the memory
From when I was a kid
Golden hair flowing down
On your knees, grooming the pitcher’s mound

And it’s always 1976
The camera lies and the mirror plays tricks
So many things that the years won’t fix
Always 1976, always 1976

Set against a fading motor city
And Richard Nixon’s shame
A rock star had arrived
Fidrych comes alive

And I know that it’s hardly fair
To say you won’t grow old
But forgive me if I try
To keep that faded image in my eyes

And it’s always 1976
The camera lies and the mirror plays tricks
So many things that the years won’t fix
Always 1976, always 1976

What does it say for the rest of us
When our heroes die and leave us alone?
What does it say for the rest of us
When we wake up and find this bird has flown?

And it’s always 1976
The camera lies and the mirror plays tricks
So many things that the years won’t fix
It’s always 1976, always 1976

Always 1976
Always 1976
Always 1976
Always 1976