Lolich made his debut as a 22-year-old during the 1963 season and quickly cemented a spot in Detroit’s rotation. He became a mainstay on the Tigers’ staff for the next decade, naming greats as a Hall of Famer Jim Bunning and two-time Cy Young winner Denny McLain teammates along the way.
After being a steady contributor for several years, Lolich built a lasting legacy with a historic performance in the 1968 World Series. The southpaw started Game 2, Game 5 and the crucial Game 7 against the Cardinals, not only securing three wins but going the distance in each of those wins. In one of the greatest individual World Series performances ever, Lolich pitched three complete games, held St. Louis to just five runs on 20 hits and six walks (1.67 ERA) and retired 21 opponents. His final start at that year’s Fall Classic came after just two days of rest, but he held on nonetheless Lou Brock & Co. to one run on five hits and three walks in a 4-1 victory.
That performance alone would have cemented Lolich’s place in Tigers history, but it’s just one of many highlights from his stellar career. The Portland native made the first of three All-Star appearances the following season in 1969 and enjoyed a pair of top-three finishes in American League Cy Young voting in 1971-72, losing to legends. Blue life And Gaylord Perryrespectively.
Lolich finished in the top 10 in American League MVP voting as runner-up in both Cy Young seasons and led the American League in ’71 with 45 games started and 376 innings pitched. He completed 29 games that year and did so while maintaining an ERA of just under 3.00 (2.92). Both 45 games started and 376 innings pitched are the second-highest single-season marks for any pitcher in the past century; Lolich trails only Wilbur Wood in each category (376 2/3 innings, 49 games started).
Lolich spent the first 13 seasons of his career with the Tigers before being traded to the Mets in a December 1975 trade that produced a six-time All-Star. Rusty Staub back to Detroit. He retired briefly after his lone year as a Met before returning as a reliever with the Padres in 1978-79 and calling it quits again – this time for good.
All told, Lolich pitched in 16 Major League seasons, compiling a 217-191 record with a 3.44 ERA over a span of 3,638 1/3 innings. His 2,832 career strikeouts rank 23rd all-time, just 33 behind his rookie teammate, the aforementioned Bunning. Lolich is one of only 122 pitchers to ever record 200 career wins, tied with Freddie Fitzsimmons for 87th all-time. His 47.9 Wins Above Replacement (by Baseball Reference) ties him with another standout left-hander, Ron Guidryfor 116th on the all-time list. We at MLBTR extend our condolences to Lolich’s family, friends and countless fans on the loss of one of the great talents of his generation.
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