Mickey Lolich, 1968 Champion and Detroit Tigers Strikeout King, Dies at 85

Mickey Lolich, the legendary pitcher who led the Detroit Tigers to a World Series Championship in 1968, has died at the age of 85.

ESPN reports that Lolich passed away on Wednesday morning after a brief stay in hospice care.

Detroit Tigers Statement on the Death of Mickey Lolich

The Tigers posted a statement on Facebook on Wednesday afternoon, saying that they extend their condolences to Lolich's family and friends.

READ MORE: Relive the 1968 Detroit Tigers Pennant Winning Moment 

The Tigers went on to say,

One of the finest pitchers in franchise history, Lolich was a three-time All-Star who pitched for Detroit for 13 seasons and holds several Tigers team records. He was a member of the 1968 World Series Champion Tigers team, earning World Series MVP honors after posting a 3-0 record with a 1.67 ERA. Lolich will be remembered as one of the most durable and dominant left-handed pitchers of his era and a cornerstone of Detroit’s pitching staff for more than a decade.

The franchise also posted a video tribute to Lolich, featuring photos and video clips of some of his biggest moments playing for the Tigers.

Mickey Lolich's Legacy

While Lolich was a Tigers legend and is also fifth all-time for the number of strikeouts thrown by a left-handed pitcher, he has not been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Following his retirement from baseball, Lolich opened up a doughnut shop in Rochester, which he later relocated to Lake Orion.