Mickey Lolich, a celebrated figure in baseball, has sadly passed away at the age of 85. This news was confirmed by the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday. Known for being a three-time American League All-Star and the MVP of the 1968 World Series, Lolich made significant contributions to the sport throughout his career.
Lolich began his professional journey at just 22 years old during the 1963 season. It didn’t take long for him to establish himself within the Detroit Tigers' pitching rotation, where he became an integral member of the team for over a decade. During this time, he had the opportunity to play alongside notable players like Hall of Famer Jim Bunning and two-time Cy Young Award winner Denny McLain.
However, it was his remarkable performance in the 1968 World Series that truly solidified Lolich’s legacy in baseball history. He took the mound for Game 2, Game 5, and the crucial Game 7 against the St. Louis Cardinals, achieving victory in all three games. In a display of exceptional skill, he pitched three complete games and allowed only five runs on 20 hits, while striking out 21 batters and maintaining an impressive 1.67 ERA. His final appearance in that series was particularly noteworthy as he pitched on only two days' rest, yet still managed to limit the Cardinals to just one run in a 4-1 victory.
While this incredible feat alone would have been enough to secure Lolich's place in the hearts of Tigers fans, it was merely one highlight among many during his illustrious career. In fact, he made his first All-Star appearance in 1969, followed by two top-three finishes in the American League Cy Young voting in 1971 and 1972. Unfortunately, he was bested by legendary pitchers Vida Blue and Gaylord Perry in those respective years.
During those standout seasons, Lolich also ranked in the top 10 for American League MVP voting. Notably, in 1971, he led the league with an astounding 45 games started and pitched a total of 376 innings. His performance that year included completing 29 games and achieving an ERA of just under 3.00, specifically 2.92. These numbers are remarkable; in fact, they represent the second-highest totals for any pitcher in the last century, with Lolich only trailing behind Wilbur Wood.
After spending the first 13 years of his career with the Tigers, Lolich was traded to the New York Mets in December 1975 as part of a deal that saw six-time All-Star Rusty Staub return to Detroit. Lolich retired briefly after his single season with the Mets but later returned to the game as a reliever with the San Diego Padres between 1978 and 1979 before retiring permanently.
Over the course of his 16-season major league career, Lolich achieved a record of 217 wins and 191 losses, along with a 3.44 ERA across 3,638 and a third innings pitched. His impressive total of 2,832 career strikeouts places him 23rd on the all-time list, just 33 behind his former teammate Bunning. Lolich is among a select group of only 122 pitchers to reach 200 career wins, tying him with Freddie Fitzsimmons for 87th place in history. Furthermore, his career wins above replacement (WAR) stands at 47.9, sharing the 116th spot all-time with fellow left-handed pitcher Ron Guidry.
As we remember the impact Mickey Lolich had on the game of baseball, our thoughts and sympathies go out to his family, friends, and the countless fans who admired one of the great talents of his generation.
