The Unbelievable Pitcher Who Never Existed

Forty years ago, a peculiar story shook the sports world. It all started with a cover story in a famous sports magazine. The tale was about a unique rookie pitcher named Sidd Finch. This pitcher had an unusual background and an even more unusual pitching style. He was said to have been raised in an English orphanage and had learned yoga in Tibet. But the most astonishing claim was that he could throw a fastball at an incredible 168 mph. To top it off, he pitched wearing one shoe, a heavy hiker’s boot, and played the French horn. This story was published on April 1, 1985, and it quickly became a sensation. The hoax was so convincing that many people believed it. The sports world was buzzing with excitement and curiosity. The story was written by a well-known sportswriter, who was also a co-founder of a prestigious literary magazine. His reputation added to the story's credibility. The subhead of the article even spelled out "Happy April Fools Day" using the first letters of each word, but few people noticed this clue right away. The idea for this prank began in late February 1985. A general manager of a baseball team received a call from a friend who was the managing editor of the sports magazine. The friend had asked the sportswriter to create an April Fools' story. The general manager then approached a team official, who had a knack for human interest stories. This official was eager to help sell the hoax. They kept the plan secret from most of the team, but a few key players were involved. The team set up photo opportunities and even held a mock press conference. They created a fake locker for Sidd Finch, placing it between two real players. Young players were told to help out with the prank, adding to the authenticity. The hoax was so well-executed that even some team members and sports editors were fooled. The story spread quickly, and soon, everyone was talking about the mysterious pitcher. The prank was so successful that it even caught the attention of baseball owners and a U. S. Senator. The sportswriter kept the mystery going by avoiding the media, which only added to the intrigue. However, the truth slowly began to surface. On April 7, the team held a press conference revealing that Sidd Finch had moved on to golf. The real identity of Sidd Finch was a junior high school teacher from Chicago, who was a close friend of the photographer. He had no idea that the prank would become so famous. The hoax was a massive hit, and even after 40 years, people still remember it fondly. The team official who helped spread the story still keeps in touch with the photographer. They both agree that the prank was never meant to fool anyone but to have some fun. The story of Sidd Finch remains one of the greatest hoaxes in sports history, a testament to the power of a good prank and the willingness of people to believe in the extraordinary.