The baseball world lost one of its true workhorses this week as Mickey Lolich, the beloved left-hander who etched his name into Detroit Tigers lore with his heroic 1968 World Series performance, died Wednesday at the age of 85. Lolich’s legacy as a pitcher of remarkable stamina and a clutch performer has endured for decades, and his passing has sparked an outpouring of memories from fans, former teammates, and baseball historians alike.
Born in Portland, Oregon, Mickey Lolich began his major league career with the Detroit Tigers in 1963. Over 13 seasons with the Tigers, he became a fixture on the mound, earning a reputation for his resilience and cool demeanor under pressure. But it was the 1968 World Series that forever cemented his status as a Tigers legend. Facing the formidable St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium, Lolich delivered a series of performances that would become the stuff of baseball mythology.
In that unforgettable Fall Classic, Lolich won three games, including a complete game victory in Game 7 on just two days’ rest. That feat alone would be enough to make any pitcher a hero in his city, but Lolich added to the legend when he hit his only major league home run in Game 2 off right-hander Nelson Briles, helping the Tigers to an 8-1 win in St. Louis. According to the Detroit Free Press, the city rejoiced as the Tigers ultimately defeated the Cardinals four games to three, sparking celebrations that resonated especially deeply just a year after Detroit’s 1967 urban rebellion.
“Tigers On Top of World! ...Lolich Beats Gibson,” blared the Detroit Free Press sports front on October 11, 1968, capturing the euphoria that swept through Detroit. Lolich’s performance earned him the World Series Most Valuable Player award, and his image—hoisted by catcher Bill Freehan after the final out—became an enduring symbol of triumph for the city.
But Lolich’s career was more than just one magical October. He was a model of endurance during a time when starting pitchers were expected to shoulder heavy workloads. From 1964 to 1976, he averaged an astonishing 263 innings per season—about 100 innings more than most modern starters manage. In 1971, he threw a mind-boggling 371 innings, and in three other seasons he surpassed the 300-inning mark. That kind of workload is almost unthinkable today, and it’s a testament to Lolich’s durability and competitive spirit.
His statistical achievements are impressive by any measure. Lolich finished his career with a 217–191 win-loss record, a 3.44 earned run average, and 2,832 strikeouts. Only three left-handed pitchers in Major League Baseball history—Randy Johnson, Steve Carlton, and C.C. Sabathia—have struck out more batters. Lolich’s strikeout total ranks 23rd on MLB’s all-time list, a remarkable feat considering the era in which he pitched.
Twice, Lolich finished among the top three in American League Cy Young Award voting, baseball’s highest honor for pitchers. In 1971, he was runner-up to Oakland’s Vida Blue, and a year later he lost out to Gaylord Perry and Wilbur Wood. Despite his impressive resume, Lolich has not been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, narrowly missing the statistical benchmarks required for enshrinement. As veteran Detroit baseball writer Lynn Henning observed in a 2024 Deadline Detroit column, “Lolich just misses on Cooperstown. It’s precisely because entry is so difficult that the Baseball Hall of Fame has remained through generations the most respected of all such Halls.”
After leaving the Tigers in 1975, Lolich played for the New York Mets and the San Diego Padres, retiring from the majors in 1979. But his post-baseball life was just as colorful. In 1979, he invested in a donut shop in Rochester, Michigan—a move that would make him a local celebrity all over again. Following a business dispute, he bought out his partner and, after losing his lease in 1983, moved the shop to Lake Orion. He eventually sold the business in the late 1990s, but the moniker “the donut man” stuck with him for years.
Lolich’s contributions to the sport and to Michigan were recognized with induction into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1982. In October 2022, he was further honored by being inducted into the Croatian-American Sports Hall of Fame, reflecting his heritage and lasting impact on the community.
Throughout his life, Lolich remained connected to the Tigers and their fans. He was a frequent guest at reunion events, including the 40th anniversary celebration of the 1968 World Series championship at Comerica Park in 2008. On April 7, 1998, he took part in the ceremonial first pitch at the Tigers’ home opener against Tampa—a moment that delighted the crowd and brought back memories of his glory days. In 2018, Lolich left his mark, quite literally, by casting his hands in cement for the Detroit Historical Museum’s Legends Plaza, joining other local sports icons in an enduring tribute.
It’s impossible to talk about Mickey Lolich without mentioning his sense of duty off the field. In 1967, during the Detroit riots, he was called to active duty for the Michigan Air National Guard, serving his community at a time of great unrest. That commitment to both his city and his country only deepened the respect Detroiters felt for him.
His family life was just as important to him. Photographs from the era show Lolich celebrating with his wife and daughter, embracing his loved ones after hard-fought victories. He was often seen signing autographs for fans, always approachable, always humble—qualities that endeared him to generations of Tigers supporters.
Calls have grown louder in recent years for Lolich’s name to be added to the wall at Comerica Park, where the Tigers honor their all-time greats. As Lynn Henning argued, there is a strong case for such recognition, given Lolich’s singular contributions to the franchise’s history.
As the city of Detroit and the baseball world reflect on the passing of Mickey Lolich, his legacy remains secure. He was a pitcher’s pitcher—tough, reliable, and always ready for the biggest moments. His three complete game victories in the 1968 World Series, his lone career home run on the game’s grandest stage, and his decades of service to the Tigers and their fans make him an enduring figure in the sport’s history.
Though he may have fallen just short of Cooperstown, Mickey Lolich’s place in the hearts of Detroiters—and in the annals of baseball—will never be in doubt. His story is one of grit, resilience, and joy, and as the Tigers faithful remember their hero, they know his spirit will live on at Comerica Park and beyond.