Free Republic

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.

Longtime Cardinals catcher Ted Simmons and MLB Players Association executive director Marvin Miller were elected to the Baseball Hall Of Fame, as announced tonight on MLB Network. Simmons and Miller were inducted via the “Modern Era” veterans committee, a 16-person panel focusing on people whose largest contributions to the sport fell between 1970 and 1987.

On May 12, 1969, the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-2 at Busch Stadium. Bob Gibson pitched a complete game for the Cards, allowing two runs on seven hits. He struck out six and walked one. There was nothing exceptional about Gibson’s pitching performance that day. It was a typical one for him that year, except for the relatively low number of strikeouts. But Gibson’s contributions weren’t limited to pitching. At the plate, he went 3-3 with a walk. He also stole a base. Gibson singled to lead off the bottom of the third inning, but did...