Mickey Lolich, a major league pitcher who was the MVP of the 1968 World Series for the Detroit Tigers has passed away at the age of 85. Lolich was a Detroit legend.
His cause of death was not disclosed by his wife, who reported to the New York Post that Lolich had passed away after a brief stay in hospice.
The pitcher spent 13 years of his career with the Tigers, finishing at the top of the AL Cy Young voting two separate times in his career. He was eventually traded to the New York Mets, where he made 30 starts before retiring in 1976.
Lolich’s 2,832 strikeouts left him 23rd on the all-time list for strikeouts upon his retirement. The ace pitcher also notched a 217-191 record, and a 3.44 ERA.
The Detroit Tigers posted a statement on his death, writing,
The Tigers are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mickey Lolich and we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. One of the finest pitchers in franchise history, Lolich was a three-time All-Star who pitched for Detroit for 13 seasons and holds several Tigers team records. He was a member of the 1968 World Series Champion Tigers team, earning World Series MVP honors after posting a 3-0 record with a 1.67 ERA. Lolich will be remembered as one of the most durable and dominant left-handed pitchers of his era and a cornerstone of Detroit’s pitching staff for more than a decade.
In under 2 hours, the post has nearly a quarter of a million views and over 3.5k likes, signifying the impact Lolich made on the Tigers’ fanbase throughout his stay with the team.
In the fabled 1968 World Series, Lolich tossed three complete games, leading his team to victory. He gave up just one run in the 7th game of the series against the Cardinals, paving the way for the Detroit offense to take the game, and the series.
Detroit fans will always remember the legend of Mickey Lolich. Rest in peace!
