Mickey Lolich of the Detroit Tigers died several days ago at 85. He was known as a solid high-innings, high-strikeout pitcher with a bit of an attitude. Mickey was not a 20-game winner until his 30s but had some spectacular seasons late in his career.
He was overshadowed during the 1968 regular season by Denny McLain's 31 victories, an extreme statistical outlier even at the time. Lolich was even sent to the bullpen for a couple of weeks for ineffectiveness. But he managed to win 17 games anyway, earning 3 starts in the World Series. This time it was McLain who disappointed, losing games 1 and 4. Lolich won twenty games the hard way, with three complete-game victories, including Game Seven on two-days rest. Key to that win was picking off Lou Brock and Curt Flood in one inning.
McLain's career disappeared, embroiled in bookmaking scandals. Mickey went on to have his best seasons.
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