Mickey Lolich, the Detroit Tigers legend and hero of the 1968 World Series, has died at the age of 85. The announcement came Wednesday, February 4, 2026, with the Tigers organization sharing the news that Lolich passed away after a short stay in hospice care. While the exact cause of death was not disclosed, his legacy as a dominant left-handed pitcher and a key figure in Detroit's only World Series victory in franchise history remains firmly intact.
Born Michael Stephen Lolich on September 12, 1940, in Portland, Oregon, Lolich played in Major League Baseball from 1963 to 1979. He spent the majority of his career with the Detroit Tigers, becoming a cornerstone of their pitching staff throughout the 1960s and 70s. Lolich was a three-time All-Star and is remembered as one of the most durable and dominant left-handed pitchers of his era. The Detroit Tigers acknowledged this on X, stating 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. He ranks 23rd in career strikeouts with 2,832, and fifth among lefties.
Lolich's defining moment arrived in the 1968 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals. While Denny McLain had an outstanding regular season with 31 wins, it was Lolich who shone brightest in the Fall Classic. He secured three complete-game victories, a feat unmatched by any pitcher since. His performance included aGame 7 victory against Bob Gibson, a Hall of Famer, with the final out being a foul pop-up caught by Bill Freehan. Lolich's World Series performance earned him the Series MVP award. In the series, he maintained a 1.67 ERA and had 21 strikeouts.
An iconic image from that series is Lolich jumping into Freehan's arms after the final out. As of 2026, the 1968 World Series remains the last time the Tigers won the championship on the road.
Despite his remarkable achievements, including his World Series heroics, Lolich wasn't initially perceived as the star pitcher in 1968. He even spent a significant part of August in the bullpen. However, he returned to the starting rotation and finished the season strong, with a 6-1 record in the final weeks. Lolich jokingly told the Detroit Free Press in 2018, "It was always somebody else, but my day had finally come".
Adding to the narrative of his unexpected rise to fame, Lolich even hit a home run during Game 2 of the series, further solidifying his place in baseball lore. He recalled that he expected to receive a Corvette from General Motors for being the Series MVP, but he had to settle for a Dodge Charger GT because Chrysler was the sponsor in 1968.
After his time with the Tigers, Lolich played for the New York Mets and San Diego Padres before retiring in 1979. Lolich's passing marks the end of an era for Detroit Tigers fans and the baseball community. His contributions to the game, especially his unforgettable performance in the 1968 World Series, will forever be remembered.