From mid-May, the Tigers went 87-45, by far the best in baseball. They had a budding rivalry with their neighbors to the north, the Toronto Blue Jays. The season entered its final month with the two clubs in a fierce fight for the division.
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On Oct. 2, 1968, Cardinals ace Bob Gibson stood on the mound at Busch Stadium in St. Louis for Game 1 of the World Series. The 6-foot-2 Gibson glared toward the plate, his jaw dripping with sweat, his cap pulled low over his face. Batters stood in against Gibson with trepidation, facing an arsenal that included a sharp curve, a devastating slider and a high-90s fastball that often came in high and tight.
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Game Four was a repeat matchup of Lolich versus Hunter. The day was cool and overcast, with a threat of rain throughout the day. Neither team was able to take batting practice, as the field remained covered until just before game time.
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World Series goats, in one of baseball’s crueler ironies, are more often than not instrumental in their team’s advance into postseason play in the first place. Consider Ed Summers, one of the sport’s first knuckleballers.
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From the Detroit Free Press: The Detroit Tigers’ historic run of home-field futility is over. Not even the 2003 team[…]
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The final pitch at Tiger Stadium, September 27, 1999. Photo by Steve Jessmore. Used by permission.
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Photo: Mark Fidrych and Bill Freehan lead the queue of former Tigers preparing to take the field for the final[…]
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Todd Jones strikes out Carlos Beltran for the final out at Tiger Stadium. September 27, 1999.
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Cody Stavenhagen has written the definitive look back at the final night at Tiger Stadium as the 20th anniversary approaches this week.
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