The most successful, or at least best hyped, magazine hoax of the late 20th century came in 1985 when, in an issue of Sports Illustrated cover-dated April 1, writer George Plimpton introduced the world to a 28-year-old, New York Mets pitching phenom named Hayden "Sidd" Finch. Among other screaming clues to his inauthenticity, Sidd (for Siddhartha) was a Harvard dropout, a French horn virtuoso, and, one source believed, an aspiring Buddhist monk. He was also capable of throwing a baseball at an unheard-of 168 m.p.h., despite the fact that had never played the game before.
The story, 14 pages in length, was embellished with photos of the supposed Finch as well as quotes from real-life Mets, including manager Davey Johnson, pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre, then-rookie Lenny Dykstra, and owner Nelson Doubleday. Stottlemyre called Finch’s unusual wind-up and delivery—which one batter likened to Goofy’s pitching in a Disney cartoon— as "the most awesome thing that has ever happened in baseball."
Apparently some people were fooled by the story, and many went along with the joke.
Asked to comment once the hoax had been revealed, SI’s managing editor, Mark Mulvoy, explained that, "I publish 550 stories a year. So much of what we do has to do with things like drugs, salaries and now, point-shaving, things we have to do. But for once I wanted to have fun."
He added: "We've never done anything like this and probably never will again."
The “Curious Case of Sidd Finch” is available on the magazine's website, along with a recent reminiscence by two of the key players.
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