R.I.P. Mickey Lolich

Mickey Lolich, who had three complete game victories in the 1968 World Series for the Detroit Tigers and won 217 games over a 16 year major league career, passed away on February 4th, 2026, in Sterling Heights, Michigan. No cause of death was announced, though Lolich had recently entered hospice care. He was 85.

A Portland, Oregon native, the left handed Lolich was signed by the Tigers in 1958 and made his major league debut in the 1963 season. In 1968, Lolich was 17-9 with a 3.19 ERA and 197 strikeouts, but was overshadowed by teammate Denny McClain’s 31-6 season. But it was Lolich who was the hero of the 1968 World Series, with the Tigers defeating the St. Louis Cardinals four games to three. In the Series, Lolich was 3-0 with a 1.67 ERA with three complete games. He had a complete game 4-1 victory in Game 7 on just two days rest. He hit the only home run of his career in Game 2 of the Series. Lolich was named the MVP of the World Series.

Lolich’s best season was in 1971, when he was 25-14, with a 2.92 ERA, 29 complete games including four shutouts, and 308 strikeouts in an incredible 376 innings pitched. Lolich was traded to the New York Mets after the 1975 season. He pitched for the Mets in 1976, then sat out the ’77 season before signing with the San Diego Padres in 1978. He retired after the 1979 season.

Lolich was 217-191 with a 3.44 ERA in 586 games, including 486 starts. He had 195 complete games, 41 shutouts, and 2832 strikeouts. He is fifth among left handers in career strikeouts. He’s also one of the better players who is not in the Baseball Hall of Fame.