A Detroit Tigers pitcher who personified the fighting spirit of the city has passed away.
The Detroit Free Press first reported that Mickey Lolich, the last pitcher to throw three complete games in a World Series, died on Wednesday at the age of 85.
There is no word on the cause of death. The Tigers confirmed the news early Wednesday afternoon.
"Everyone with the Detroit Tigers extends their heartfelt condolences to Lolich’s wife Joyce and the entire Lolich family," read the statement. "His legacy, on and off the field, will forever be cherished."
Lolich pitched for the Tigers from 1963 to 1975.
He was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 1968 World Series, during which he went the distance for all three games, winning each time. He threw a complete Game 7 in St. Louis on only two days' rest, beating future Hall of Famer Bob Gibson.
The Tigers' 1968 World Series run is credited by many historians for helping the city of Detroit heal following the deadly riot that broke out the previous summer.
An Oregon native, Lolich was signed by Detroit in 1958 as an amateur free agent. He played minor league ball for the Knoxville Smokies, Durham Bulls, and the Portland Beavers before being called up to Detroit in 1963.
In Detroit, Lolich compiled a 207-175 record and a 3.45 earned-run average, with 190 complete games pitched, sixth in franchise history. He still holds the franchise records in strikeouts with 2,679 and in shutouts with 39.
He also pitched for the New York Mets and the San Diego Padres before retiring in 1979.
After retiring from baseball, Lolich invested in a donut shop in Rochester, Michigan, eventually buying out his partner and running it himself. He moved the donut shop to Florida in 1983 and sold the business in the late '90s.
In 2018, he published the autobiography "Joy in Tigertown", co-written with Tom Gage, longtime Tigers beat writer with the Detroit News, and a Baseball Hall of Famer.
