The Tigers announced Wednesday that three-time American League All-Star and 1968 World Series MVP Mickey Lolich passed away this morning. He was 85 years old.
Debuting as a 22-year-old during the 1963 season, Lolich quickly seized a spot in Detroit’s rotation. He became a mainstay on the Tigers’ staff for the next decade-plus, calling greats like Hall of Famer Jim Bunning and two-time Cy Young winner Denny McLain teammates along the way.
After several years as a steady contributor, Lolich carved out a lasting legacy with a historic performance in the 1968 World Series. The left-hander started Game 2, Game 5 and the pivotal Game 7 against the Cardinals, not only securing three victories but going the distance in each of those wins. In one of the greatest individual World Series performances ever seen, Lolich hurled three complete games, held St. Louis to just five runs on 20 hits and six walks (1.67 ERA) and punched out 21 opponents. His final start during that year’s Fall Classic came on just two days’ rest, but he nonetheless held Lou Brock & Co. to one run on five hits and three walks in a 4-1 victory.
That performance alone would’ve cemented Lolich’s place in Tigers lore, but it’s just one of many highlights over his stellar career. The Portland native made the first of three All-Star appearances the following season in 1969 and, in 1971-72, enjoyed a pair of top-three finishes in American League Cy Young voting, losing out to legends Vida Blue and Gaylord Perry, respectively.
Lolich finished top-10 in American League MVP voting in both of those Cy Young runner-up seasons and, in ’71, paced the American League with 45 games started and 376 innings pitched. He completed 29 games that year and did so while maintaining an ERA just shy of 3.00 (2.92). Both those 45 games started and 376 innings are the second-highest single-season marks for any pitcher in the past century; Lolich trails only Wilbur Wood in each category (376 2/3 innings, 49 games started).
Lolich spent the first 13 seasons of his career with the Tigers before being traded to the Mets in a Dec. 1975 swap that sent six-time All-Star Rusty Staub back to Detroit. He briefly retired following his lone year as a Met before returning as a reliever with the Padres in 1978-79 and again calling it quits — this time for good.
All told, Lolich pitched in 16 major league seasons and compiled a 217-191 record with a 3.44 ERA over the life of 3638 1/3 innings. His 2832 career strikeouts rank 23rd all-time, just 33 behind his rookie teammate, the aforementioned Bunning. Lolich is one of just 122 pitchers to ever record 200 wins in his career and is tied with Freddie Fitzsimmons for 87th all-time. His 47.9 wins above replacement (per Baseball-Reference) tie him with another standout lefty, Ron Guidry, for 116th on the all-time list. We at MLBTR offer our condolences to Lolich’s family, friends and countless fans on the loss of one of his generation’s great talents.
Another one of my baseball cards gone. Fantastic Pitcher and a gamer. RIP Mickey.
Pretty sure I have his rookie card.
Aloha Uncle, I was a kid when he retired in the late 70’s but heard my father talk about him. I put together a 63′ topps set and he’s in there! Great pitcher. Mahalo
Rest in peace Mickey. You were a respected part of baseball. Baseball just became worse without you.
A heck of a pitcher that dominated the early seventies. Arguably one of Detroit’s best pitchers alongside Verlander and Newhouser.
Oh Mickey. He wasn’t well liked in NY. Mets traded another productive fan favorite gor a has been – but he was anazing in 1968.
In truth, Mickey Lolich had his last good year in 76 and the Mets had an outstanding starting rotation but, they had no offense to speak of.
I met Mickey Lolich at his doughnut shop in Rochester, MI.
Two posts back to back about guys named Mickey..
Next up:
Pirates targeting Mickey Mouse, but he’s still celebrating his 2020 World Series.
Mickey Hatcher says hello.
So does Mickey Tettleton.
They probably should have called the series something else that year but it was fairly earned. All teams played under the same rules under same circumstances that year
RIP Mickey.
I loved watching him pitch on those Saturday day games on TV back in the day. I think most of us probably tried his windup a few times when we were kids.
An MLB legend always, Rest well
Watching on tv on Saturday afternoons is what I remember too. It’s amazing by today’s standards that he pitched 3 complete game victories in one World Series
Wow. Mickey Lolich. I saw him pitch a good pat of his career in my youth. Another one of the guys I saw when young gone. RIP good sir.
I’ll never forget that ‘68 Series. Denny McClain was a 31 game winner but was meh in the Series. Tigers went with Lolich over McClain for pivotal game 7 and he delivered. Was rooting for the Cards because they were the NL team (remember those days?) He was dominant. RIP Mickey Lolich. Baseball lost a great one.
RIP. A true Tigers legend.
All time World Series great. 3 wins in1968 series. And beat Bob Gibson in game 7.
Aloha folks, from my father’s time and a tremendous pitcher plus a switch hitter to boot! RIP. Mahalo
🙁
I was ten yr old in 1973. My first trip to Tiger stadium i saw Mickey throw a complete game 1-0 victory over the O’s. BTW, the only run? A Homer by their other Mickey, Stanley.RIP legend
Those players like Mickey back then pitched what would be two, three, or four years today in one season. They all busted their butts for all the gravy handed to the players today. They all should thank their gods for the work of the old ball players in making their lives so enjoyable today. R.I.P MICKEY…….IT WAS FANTASTIC WATCHING YOU PLAY !
RIP Mickey…..
The game has changed, and certainly no pitcher will ever again pitch three complete games, or any complete game, in a World Series. Whether any of us think it was better that way than now is a matter of aesthetics I suppose, and arguments can be made either way. But certainly the aura and the era of the dominant starting pitcher, the superstar starting pitcher, is gone, and I think something of value has been lost.
I think pitchers like Mickey Lolich, Jim Kaat, Rick Reuschel, Mark Buehrle, pitchers who were very good for a long time and often better than their teams, should be in the HOF.
Oops: Kaat is in the Hall, isn’t he?
As a broadcaster
baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/kaat-jim
RIP. Great pitcher for the Tigers
As a young lad growing up in Michigan, listening to the ’68 WS on my transistor radio (featuring the dulcet tones of the late, great Ernie Harwell!), Mickie Lolich mesmerized me into becoming a lifelong baseball fan.
Thanks Mickey, and RIP.
@goob
I love stories like yours. Lolich was before my time but all due respect for a great one. 3 CG in a single Series with an ERA <2.00 is never, ever going to happen again.
I'm in awe. Props to Mickey Lolich and condolences to his family and loved ones.
Lolich despised those Padres colors. He associated them to human waste products just in more colorful terms.
RIP Mickey.
Childhood hero, all time Tigers great! Too many memories to even begin…
RIP to one of the greats. He played wayyyy before my time but I have nothing but respect for him.