Al Kaline

On This Day: October 10, 1968

The Detroit Tigers win Game 7 of the 1968 World Series for their 3rd World Championship in franchise history. Detroit quickly found itself down 3 games to 1 having lost the first two at home (Games 3 & 4). After taking Game 5 in Detroit the Tigers headed back to St. Louis needing to win both. The Cardinals threw Ray Washburn (14-8, 30 starts) and 1968 Cy Young and MVP Winner Bob Gibson (22-9, 34 starts) in Games 6 & 7 respectively. Detroit managed a 13-1 and 4-1 victory in each to take the World Series Championship back to Detroit.

1968 World Series Game Log

1968 World Series Game Log

68 WS Trophy.jpg

Detroit starters Mickey Lolich and Denny McLain combined to throw three consecutive complete games to close out the series. Lolich surrendered 3 ER while striking out 8 in Game 5 and only 1 ER to go along with 4 strikeouts in Game 7. McLain surrendered only 1 ER and struck out 7 in his Game 6 performance.

The Tigers offense was led by Al Kaline, Norm Cash, Willie Horton, and Jim Northrup. In Games 5-7 these four combined for 21 hits in 45 at-bats (.467 BA) while driving in 19 runs and scoring 12.

Mickey Lolich would go on to win the World Series MVP Award having thrown three complete games (3-0 record) while surrendering only 5 ER and 21 SO.