1968 Detroit Tigers season
| 1968 Detroit Tigers | |
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1968 World Series Champions 1968 American League Champions |
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| Owner(s) | John Fetzer |
| General manager(s) | Jim Campbell |
| Manager(s) | Mayo Smith |
| Local television |
WJBK (George Kell, Larry Osterman) |
| Local radio |
WJR (Ernie Harwell, Ray Lane) |
| < Previous season Next season > | |
The 1968 Detroit Tigers won the 1968 World Series, defeating the St. Louis Cardinals four games to three. The 1968 baseball season, known as the "Year of the Pitcher", was the Detroit Tigers 68th since they entered the American League in 1901, their eighth pennant, and third World Series championship. Detroit pitcher Denny McLain won the Cy Young Award and was named the American League's Most Valuable Player after winning 31 games. Mickey Lolich pitched three complete games in the World Series – and won all three – to win World Series MVP honors.
Denny McLain had a remarkable season in 1968, as he went 31–6 with a 1.96 earned run average (ERA), was an All-Star, won the Cy Young Award, won the AL Most Valuable Player Award, and won Game 6 of the World Series. He is the only pitcher since 1934 to win 30 games in a season. Beleaguered by legal and financial troubles in later years, McLain was at his best in 1968. Perhaps worn down by pitching 336 innings during the regular season, McLain's 1968 World Series performance was not as stellar. He lost Games 1 and 4 to NL Cy Young Award winner, Bob Gibson. McLain did, however, win the crucial Game 6 on just two days rest, holding the Cardinals to one run in a 13–1 victory.
The Tigers No. 2 starter, Mickey Lolich, allowed just five World Series runs in three complete games, winning all three including the final and decisive game. Lolich also helped himself at the plate in Game 2 when he hit the only home run of his 16-year career. Lolich was given the World Series MVP Award for his performance. During the regular season, Lolich went 17–9 with 197 strikeouts and a 3.19 ERA. He was actually moved to bullpen briefly in August after a few poor starts, but returned to pitch well down the stretch.
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