Mickey Lolich Dies at 85, Won 1968 World Series MVP with Tigers

Detroit Tigers legend Mickey Lolich has died at the age of 85.

The Tigers issued a statement about Lolich on Wednesday:

Lolich had a fascinating start to his professional career because he was originally signed by the Tigers as an amateur free agent in 1958, struggled in the minors for four years and returned to his home in Oregon after refusing an assignment to Double-A at the start of 1962.

After pitching in semi-pro game, Lolich was loaned by the Tigers to the Triple-A Portland Beavers. The Tigers included him on their spring training roster in 1963, but he reported late to camp because he was taking a post office exam to be a mailman after the MLB season ended.

The Tigers didn't hold any animosity against Lolich for very long since he made his MLB debut in May 1963. He wound up pitching 13 of his 16 MLB seasons with Detroit, making the All-Star team three times and winning World Series MVP in 1968.

Lolich pitched three complete games in the World Series against the Cardinals in '68, including the decisive Game 7. He allowed five runs and struck out 20 in 27 innings during the series.

The lefty finished his career with a 217-191 record and a 3.44 ERA in 16 seasons. He also spent time with the San Diego Padres and New York Mets after his career in Detroit ended.