Posted on 02/04/2026 1:20:47 PM PST by ConservativeStatement
The Detroit Tigers family is mourning the loss of one of the most iconic pitchers in franchise history.
Mickey Lolich, the legendary left-hander who helped carry the Tigers to a World Series championship in 1968, has passed away at the age of 85.
(Excerpt) Read more at sports.yahoo.com ...
A career-high 25 wins with the Detroit Tigers in 1971.
WOW! Condolences to Mickey’s family and friends.
NOOOOO!
One of my fondest memories as a kid in Michigan in 1968, was the Tigers winning that World Series.
Beating Bob Gibson, IMHO, the greatest pitcher in my lifetime, that’s what made it even more special.
Don't know, but glad it wasn't. McClain turned out to be a POS gangster. Despite his 30 win year with the tigers, he should never, ever, ever, be considered a hall of famer. Not even as an anecdote ......
It’s a crime that he’s not in Cooperstown.
Major League Baseball (MLB) lowered the pitcher’s mound by five inches, from 15 inches to 10 inches above home plate, starting with the 1969 season, in response to extreme pitching dominance in the 1968 “Year of the Pitcher”. This rule change, along with a smaller strike zone, aimed to increase offense and rebalance the game to favor hitters, following historic seasons by pitchers like Bob Gibson.
I have been a lifetime Red Sox fan. But that 1968 Tigers team goes down as my favorite team of all time. As a high school kid I watched my Sox beat the Tigers in 67 to get a shot against the Cardinals in that World Series. We all know that Bob Gibson and the Cards prevailed. In 68 it was the Tigers who won the pennant and got their chance against Gibson and the Cards. Thanks to the most amazing World Series pitching performance of all times and an incredible line up the Tigers won. This 1968 Tiger team therefore earned my designation as favorite team ever. Rest in Peace Mickey.
Yeah, he was really a likeable guy and people didn’t bug him too much when he was out in a public setting.
When Walter Peyton died, I, and alot of other Freepers, had the same thought about OJ Simpson.
Rest In Peace, Mickey Lolich.
Denny McLain pitched 28 complete games that season and developed a sore arm going into the World Series. Lolich really bailed the Tigers out.
Dang...memories : (
RIP Mick! My first MLB game attended in Tiger Stadium in June that year. Tigers got their asses handed to them 13-1, I think. Walking in there for the first time was like entering a cathedral. I think I can name every man on that roster. My 4th grade science teacher brought a portable TV into class during the series so we could watch it. No night game World Series back in those days and ‘68 was the last year of undivided leagues.
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