Legendary Detroit Tigers pitcher Mickey Lolich, whose three complete game victories in the 1968 World Series delivered a championship and earned him the series MVP, has died at age 85.
As one of the anchors of the Tigers’ pitching staff in the 1960s and ’70s, the portly southpaw, who once called himself “a beer drinker’s idol,” developed into one of the game’s most durable and best left-handed starting pitchers ever.
Fifth on the career strikeouts list for left-handers (2,832, behind only Randy Johnson, Steve Carlton, CC Sabathia and Clayton Kershaw), Lolich struck out more batters than Hall of Famers Bob Feller, Warren Spahn, Don Drysdale, Christy Mathewson, Cy Young and his childhood idol, Whitey Ford.
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Over his 16-year major league career, Lolich won 15 or more games eight times, threw 195 complete games and struck out 200 or more batters in seven seasons while missing just one start due to injury. He remains the Tigers’ all-time leader in strikeouts (2,679), starts (459) and shutouts (39).Expert MLB daily picks: Unique MLB betting insights only at USA TODAY
“The Tigers are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mickey Lolich and we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones,” the team posted on social media Wednesday. “Lolich will be remembered as one of the most durable and dominant left-handed pitchers of his era and a cornerstone of Detroit’s pitching staff for more than a decade.”
“Lolich was a great pitcher, teammate and champion, but he was more than that to me,” longtime Tigers teammate Willie Horton said in a statement released by the team. “He was like a brother for over 60 years. I will keep the memories close to my heart and will never forget the close bond we shared. My condolences to Joyce and their family and to everyone who loved him.”
A World Series for the ages
Entering the 1968 World Series, the spotlight was on the pitching matchup between St. Louis Cardinals ace Bob Gibson and 31-game winner Denny McLain, the MVP and Cy Young Award winners for their respective leagues.
Although Gibson set a World Series record with his 17 strikeouts in Game 1, it was Lolich who stole the show with three complete-game victories against a powerful lineup that included Lou Brock, Curt Flood and Orlando Cepeda.
In Game 2, Lolich pitched a six-hit, complete-game victory to tie the series at a game apiece. He helped his own cause by hitting the only home run of his career in the 8-1 win.
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Down three games to one in the Series, Lolich pitched another complete game, helping the Tigers in a come-from-behind 5-3 win at Tiger Stadium.
During Game 6, when the Tigers pulled away for a 13-1 victory, manager Mayo Smith had begun to seriously think about who was to pitch the deciding seventh game.
“I was at the far end of the bench when Mayo came up to me and asked if I could pitch the next day,” Lolich said. “I knew it was (loser of Game 3) Earl Wilson’s turn to start and I told him that if he needed me for a couple of innings out of the bullpen, I could do that. He said, ‘No, I want you to start, can you give me five?’ I did the math and knew I averaged about 15 pitches an inning and realized I could probably give him that.”
Smith then ordered Lolich to go back to the hotel to rest and avoid reporters.
When Lolich entered the dugout after setting down the side in the bottom of the fifth inning of a scoreless tie in Game 7 on just two days’ rest, he assumed his day was done, but Smith asked him if he could give him one more inning. The man with the rubber arm agreed.
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In the bottom of the sixth, Lolich’s heroics continued when he ended a potential Cardinals rally by deftly pulling off the improbable — picking off speedsters Brock and Flood at first base.
After the Tigers took a 3-0 lead in the top of the seventh, highlighted by Jim Northrup’s two-run triple over Flood’s head, Lolich delivered a message to Smith.