Article: Willis a throwback to Fidrych.

Byline: Dave Joseph

When Mark Fidrych was the biggest thing in baseball _ the height of his popularity was back in 1976 _ a resolution was introduced in the Michigan Legislature to raise the Bird's rookie salary from $16,500.

Yes, Fidrych's short-lived career was that long ago . . . and that enchanting.

Obviously times have changed, and it's highly unlikely anyone in Tallahassee is going to seek a pay raise for Marlin phenom Dontrelle Willis.

But the excitement Willis creates _ the kind that brings out 30,634 on a Wednesday evening to Pro Player Stadium _ is the same type that made Fidrych a household name all those years ago.

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