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Michael Stephen Lolich
Detroit Tigers
Pitcher
Born: September 12, 1940, Portland, OR
Signed: Signed by the Detroit Tigers as an amateur free agent, June 30, 1958
Major League Teams: Detroit Tigers 1963-1975; New York Mets 1976; San Diego Padres 1978-1979
Mickey Lolich pitched for 16 seasons in the majors and he's perhaps best remembered for his dominant performance in the 1968 World Series, in which the Tigers defeated the Cardinals in seven games. Lolich won at least 14 games in 11 consecutive seasons between 1964 and 1974. He won 17 games for the American League Champions in 1968, and then pitched three complete games in that year's World Series, including a victory in the decisive Game 7, winning himself the World Series MVP honors. Lolich was a three-time All-Star in 1969, 1971 and 1972, and he led the league in wins (25), complete games (29) and strikeouts (308) during a dominant 1971 campaign. He finished as the close runner-up in that year's Cy Young Award voting behind the Athletics' Vida Blue. Lolich concluded his big league career with two seasons with the Padres, retiring following the 1979 season.
In 586 games, Lolich went 217-191 with a 3.44 ERA and 2,832 strikeouts, which were the most by any left-handed pitcher when he retired. He set the mark in 1975, passing Warren Spahn (#205) at the time atop the all-time left-handed pitcher's list. Steve Carlton (#477) later broke his major league record in 1981 and CC Sabathia broke his American League record in 2017. Lolich had 195 complete games, including 41 career shutouts, with that tally currently 41st on the all-time list. Lolich and catcher Bill Freehan (#390) started 324 games together, setting the major league record for starts by a pitcher-catcher battery.
Building the Set
September 29, 2021 from Los Angeles, CA - Card #360
With everyone back in school, the Phillies' playoff hopes growing dimmer, my workload picking up at my chosen profession and a dwindling pile of purchased 1965 Topps cards to compose posts for, I decided I was in need of a nice stack of commons (and some semi-stars) for our set. Over the course of an enjoyable evening, mostly while sitting in my car in a parking lot next to where Doug's baseball team was practicing, I bid on about 45 cards up for auction from Greg Morris Cards, located in Los Angeles. When the dust settled and I checked my phone the next morning, I had won 19 cards, ranging in price from $1.75 to $11 and averaging around $4 per card. This Lolich card was mine with a relatively low winning bid of $7.55. Doug's free time is spent practicing baseball, Ben has found he thoroughly enjoys his school's cross country team, and I have a stack of 1965 Topps cards to study and write about whenever I need a break from adulting. All is well.
The Card / Tigers Team Set
This card is remarkably similar to Lolich's 1964 Topps rookie card, but it features a bluer sky and a little more of smile from the young lefty. Lolich went 18-9 in 1964, and the back of the card notes he led the Tigers in both complete games (12) and shutouts (six). His 192 strikeouts were fifth in the league, meaning he just missed out on appearing on the American League strikeout leaders card (#11). Lolich, at card #55, is one of 72 players featured within the 1965 Topps Embossed insert set and one of three Tigers in the set.
1965 Season
This was Lolich's second full year with the Tigers, and he made 37 starts and 43 overall appearances. He went 15-9 with a 3.44 ERA and 226 strikeouts over 243 2/3 innings pitched. It was the first of seven seasons in which he'd cross the 200-strikeout threshhold. Lolich was arguably the second best pitcher in the Tigers' starting rotation in 1964, behind Denny McLain (#236) who went 16-6 with a 2.61 ERA.
Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card: 1964 Topps #128
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (16): 1964-1977, 1979-1980
Most Recent Mainstream Card: 2013 Panini Hometown Heroes #88
186 - Lolich non-parallel baseball cards in the Beckett online database as of 10/10/21.
Sources:
Baseball Reference
Beckett Database
SABR
The Trading Card Database
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| September 26, 2021 |
September 29, 2021 from Los Angeles, CA - Card #360
With everyone back in school, the Phillies' playoff hopes growing dimmer, my workload picking up at my chosen profession and a dwindling pile of purchased 1965 Topps cards to compose posts for, I decided I was in need of a nice stack of commons (and some semi-stars) for our set. Over the course of an enjoyable evening, mostly while sitting in my car in a parking lot next to where Doug's baseball team was practicing, I bid on about 45 cards up for auction from Greg Morris Cards, located in Los Angeles. When the dust settled and I checked my phone the next morning, I had won 19 cards, ranging in price from $1.75 to $11 and averaging around $4 per card. This Lolich card was mine with a relatively low winning bid of $7.55. Doug's free time is spent practicing baseball, Ben has found he thoroughly enjoys his school's cross country team, and I have a stack of 1965 Topps cards to study and write about whenever I need a break from adulting. All is well.
The Card / Tigers Team Set
This card is remarkably similar to Lolich's 1964 Topps rookie card, but it features a bluer sky and a little more of smile from the young lefty. Lolich went 18-9 in 1964, and the back of the card notes he led the Tigers in both complete games (12) and shutouts (six). His 192 strikeouts were fifth in the league, meaning he just missed out on appearing on the American League strikeout leaders card (#11). Lolich, at card #55, is one of 72 players featured within the 1965 Topps Embossed insert set and one of three Tigers in the set.
1965 Season
This was Lolich's second full year with the Tigers, and he made 37 starts and 43 overall appearances. He went 15-9 with a 3.44 ERA and 226 strikeouts over 243 2/3 innings pitched. It was the first of seven seasons in which he'd cross the 200-strikeout threshhold. Lolich was arguably the second best pitcher in the Tigers' starting rotation in 1964, behind Denny McLain (#236) who went 16-6 with a 2.61 ERA.
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First Mainstream Card: 1964 Topps #128
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (16): 1964-1977, 1979-1980
Most Recent Mainstream Card: 2013 Panini Hometown Heroes #88
186 - Lolich non-parallel baseball cards in the Beckett online database as of 10/10/21.
Sources:
Baseball Reference
Beckett Database
SABR
The Trading Card Database
Wikipedia
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