1968 World Series Champion Mickey Lolich Dies at 85

Lolich, a longtime Detroit Tigers pitcher, passed away with no cause of death provided.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 11:55am

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Mickey Lolich, a member of the 1968 World Series champion Detroit Tigers, has died at the age of 85. Lolich played for the Tigers from 1963 to 1975 before joining the New York Mets in 1976 and the San Diego Padres in 1978-1979. He finished his 16-year MLB career with a 3.44 ERA over 3,638.1 innings pitched and is ranked fifth on the career strikeout list.

Why it matters

Lolich was a key part of the 1968 Tigers team that won the World Series, one of the most iconic championship teams in Detroit sports history. His passing marks the end of an era for that legendary squad.

The details

During the Tigers' 1968 championship run, Lolich pitched in 39 games with a 3.19 ERA over 220 innings. After retiring from baseball, Lolich opened a donut shop just outside Detroit, which he ran for several years. In 1967, he was called to active duty with the Michigan Air National Guard in response to civil unrest in the Motor City, serving for 12 days.

  • Lolich made his MLB debut for the Tigers in May 1963.
  • Lolich pitched for the Tigers until 1975 before joining the New York Mets in 1976.
  • Lolich returned to baseball in 1978 to pitch for the San Diego Padres for two seasons.
  • Lolich passed away on February 4, 2026.

The players

Mickey Lolich

A member of the 1968 World Series champion Detroit Tigers who played in the MLB from 1963 to 1979, primarily with the Tigers. He is ranked fifth on the career strikeout list.

Detroit Tigers

The professional baseball team that Lolich played for from 1963 to 1975, winning the World Series in 1968.

New York Mets

The team Lolich played for in 1976 after leaving the Detroit Tigers.

San Diego Padres

The team Lolich played for in 1978 and 1979, the final two seasons of his MLB career.

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The takeaway

Lolich's passing marks the end of an era for the iconic 1968 Detroit Tigers team that won the World Series. His impressive career statistics, including ranking fifth on the all-time strikeout list, cement his legacy as one of the great pitchers of his era.