The greatest trick George Plimpton ever pulled was convincing the world Sidd Finch did exist. On April 1, 1985, a piece was published in Sports Illustrated by Plimpton profiling the unbelievable story of a New York Mets prospect so outlandish it had to be made up. It was.
Sidd Finch was the subject of Plimpton’s piece meant as an April Fool’s joke. Not everyone realized it at first with many Mets fans excited to see this kid change the baseball world.
Finch was more than just a talented athlete. He led an eccentric life, too.