Suit filed in death of former pitcher Mark Fidrych

WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) -- The family of former Major League pitcher Mark Fidrych has filed a lawsuit in connection with his accidental death in 2009. Fidrych was working on his Mack truck at his home in Northborough when his clothing became caught in the vehicle's power takeoff shaft. The Telegram and Gazette reports that Fidrych's widow, Ann Pantazis, recently filed a civil suit in Worcester Superior Court. It names Greensboro, N.C.-based Mack Trucks, along with two Worcester companies, Morse Mack Sales and Ballard Mack Sales & Service. The lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages, alleges that the truck was in a "dangerous and defective condition" when sold. The plaintiffs have denied the allegations in responses filed to the lawsuit. Fidrych, nicknamed "The Bird," was the 1976 American League Rookie of the Year and went on to pitch five seasons for the Detroit Tigers. Published: Wed, Jul 25, 2012