The baseball community is in mourning following the passing of a noteworthy player from the Detroit Tigers. Mickey Lolich, celebrated for his pivotal role in the 1968 World Series, has died at the age of 85. He remains the last MLB pitcher to secure three wins during the World Series, a feat for which he was honored as the MVP.
The Tigers announced that Lolich’s wife had informed them of his recent transition to hospice care. The specific cause of death has not been disclosed.
Lolich accumulated a remarkable 2,832 strikeouts, placing him 23rd on the all-time strikeout leaderboard.
He emerged as an unlikely hero for the Tigers in 1968, helping them clinch the championship. During a reunion of the World Series team, he reminisced about being sidelined in the bullpen for much of August, only to return to the starting lineup and nab a 6-1 record in the closing week of the season.
“I’ve had my struggles, but I’ve been a starting pitcher since 1964,” Lolich reflected. He made his feelings clear about the bullpen shift, expressing, “If we win this year, it’s because of me,” though he meant that more for the season as a whole rather than just the World Series.
“We got some revenge in the World Series,” he said, alluding to his ultimate impact.
In Game 7, Lolich pitched despite having just two days of rest. He had hoped for a shiny Corvette from General Motors as a reward, but due to sponsorship issues, he ended up with a Dodge Charger GT instead.
“I have nothing against the Chargers, absolutely nothing,” he noted in his book, “Joy in Tigertown.” “It’s just that I already had two in my driveway.”
Since Lolich’s time, only Randy Johnson and Yoshinobu Yamamoto have matched his record of three World Series wins, although they achieved theirs in relief roles and pitched fewer innings.
The Tigers conveyed their sympathies to Lolich’s family, stating that his legacy “will be cherished forever.” Post-baseball, Lolich ventured into the donut business in suburban Detroit, where he spent 18 years making and selling sweets.
