Mickey Lolich, a left-handed pitcher, is best known for his time with the Detroit Tigers in Major League Baseball (MLB). Born in 1940, Lolich made his MLB debut in 1963 and quickly established himself as a formidable player. He played for the Tigers until 1975, before moving on to the New York Mets and later the San Diego Padres, finally retiring in 1979.

Lolich's career was marked by several notable achievements. He was a three-time All-Star, selected in 1964, 1969, and 1971. He led the American League in strikeouts in 1971 with 308, becoming the last American League pitcher to strike out 300 or more batters in a season until Pedro Martinez in 1999. Lolich also led the league in complete games in 1971 and 1974, showcasing his durability and stamina.

However, Lolich's most memorable performance came in the 1968 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals. He pitched three complete-game victories, including a decisive Game 7 where he outdueled Bob Gibson, one of the era's most dominant pitchers. Lolich's heroics earned him the World Series Most Valuable Player award and cemented his place in Tigers' lore.

Despite his impressive statistics, Lolich often flew under the radar during his career, overshadowed by contemporaries like Gibson, Sandy Koufax, and Tom Seaver. Nevertheless, he was a workhorse on the mound, known for his consistency and durability. He completed 195 games in his career and logged over 3,600 innings, demonstrating his ability to shoulder a heavy workload.

Lolich's career took a downturn after his trade to the Mets in 1975. He struggled with the Mets and Padres, and his performance declined significantly. He retired in 1979 with a career record of 217 wins and 191 losses, a 3.44 earned run average, and 2,832 strikeouts.

After his playing career, Lolich briefly worked as a color commentator for Tigers' broadcasts. He also owned and operated a doughnut shop in Michigan for several years. Despite his low-key post-baseball life, Lolich's legacy as one of the Tigers' greatest pitchers remains intact. His 1968 World Series performance is still regarded as one of the finest in baseball history, and his name is often mentioned in discussions about the greatest left-handed pitchers of all time.

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