Mickey Lolich
| Birthdate | 9/12/1940 |
| Death Date | |
| Debut Year | 1963 |
| Year of Induction | |
| Teams | Mets, Padres, Tigers |
| Position | Pitcher |
Mickey Lolich won 14 or more games in 11 consecutive seasons; when he retired he was MLB’s All-Time strikeout leader among left handers.
Be sure to visit our page on Facebook.
Leave a commentIn the collection:
Lolich left the game as the all-time leader in strikeouts by a left-handed pitcher
Lolich left the game as the all-time leader in strikeouts by a left-handed pitcher
Mickey Lolich has quite a Hall of Fame resumé. A 217-game winner and World Series MVP, Lolich was the game’s All-Time record holder for strikeouts by a left hander at the time of his retirement.
Shown here is a Topps baseball card commemorating his achievement. It was on June 6, 1975 that Lolich passed Warren Spahn’s record of 2,583 strikeouts by a southpaw.
By the time his career was over, Lolich extended the mark to 2,832, a number since surpassed by Steve Carlton, Randy Johnson, and CC Sabathia. A model of consistency, Lolich won 14 or more guys for ten straight seasons.
From 1968-1971 the Detroit Tigers averaged more than 90 wins per season
From 1968-1971 the Detroit Tigers averaged more than 90 wins per season
The Tigers were a formidable squad as Mickey Lolich entered his late 20s. From his age-27 season in 1968 through 1971 Detroit averaged more than 90 wins per season. The franchise’s third World Series triumph came in 1968.
In the Fall Classic that year Lolich tossed three complete-game wins for the Tigers. What’s more, Lolich batted .250 in the Series, and slugged his only career home run. In 1,017 regular-season plate appearances Lolich had just five doubles and two triples. In the World Series, he could do no wrong. For his efforts Lolich was named the Series MVP.
In the collection is this limited edition Upper Deck collectors series tribute to the 1971 Tigers signed by Lolich, Willie Horton, Al Kaline and Bill Freehan. All four players were on that ’68 team and the 1971 team that won 91 games.
Pitcher Lolich had his finest year in ’71. The Bengal workhorse led the league in starts (45), wins (25), complete games (29), and strikeouts (308). He finished second in Cy Young voting.
Has any other pitcher ever thrown three complete games and three complete game victories in the World Series?
Gibson 67 and Gibson 68 if not for Lolich
Christy Mathewson not only pitched three complete game victories in the 1905 WS, each game was a shutout. He allowed just 13 hits in 27 innings, and struck out 18 while walking just 1.
Lew Burdette in 1957
Mickey Lolich Born a right hander. Falls off bike (I believe) broke his right clavicle. Has to relearn to throw left-handed!! Goes on to a fabulous career!! He should be in the Hall!