The city of Detroit is plunged into unspeakable grief as heartbreaking news spreads: Mickey Lolich, the legendary Detroit Tigers pitcher and 1968 World Series MVP, has passed away at the age of 84. The man who pitched three winning games in the 1968 World Series – an unprecedented and perhaps unbreakable record – passed away peacefully with his family this morning, leaving a huge void in the hearts of the Tigers Nation.
Mickey Lolich – born September 12, 1940, in Portland, Oregon – wasn’t a flashy superstar like Denny McLain or Al Kaline, but he was an icon of resilience and loyalty. With his portly build, gentle smile, and “legendary” left arm, Loach played 13 seasons for the Tigers (1963-1975), achieving 217 wins and 191 losses, 2,816 strikeouts, and was a key pitcher in the 1968 World Series championship – when the Tigers staged a dramatic seven-game comeback victory against the Cardinals. He won Game 2, Game 5, and Game 7 – three consecutive wins in the same World Series – a record that still stands after more than half a century.
But behind the numbers was a simple, humble man. After retiring, Loach opened a donut shop in Michigan, living a peaceful life with his wife Joyce and children. He often appeared at Comerica Park with a radiant smile, signing autographs for fans, and recounting stories of “the summer of 1968” – the season when all of Detroit united after riots to celebrate the championship. He once said, “I don’t play basketball for fame. I play for Detroit – for the people who believed in me when the whole world thought we were going to lose.”
News of Lolich’s passing brought thousands of Tigers fans to Comerica Park and social media in tears. “Mickey Lolich was the heart of 1968. He didn’t just throw a ball – he threw hope for the whole city,” one fan wrote. At Comerica, fans spontaneously placed flowers, number 17 jerseys, and donuts – his favorite food – before the Tigers’ monument.
But what moved Detroit to tears was the humane act of Tigers owner Chris Ilitch. Immediately after receiving the news, Ilitch announced he would fulfill Mickey Lolich’s last wish: a seat in the Comerica Park stands would be reserved for him forever.
“Before he passed away, Mickey told me in a private meeting: ‘If the day ever comes when I’m gone, please leave a seat for me at Comerica – where I can hear the cheers, the sound of the ball hitting the glove, and feel the Tigers atmosphere every day,'” Ilitch shared in an emotional statement. “We will fulfill that wish. Seat number 17, front row right field – where Mickey once threw the game-winning pitches – will be kept permanently empty, with a plaque bearing his name and the inscription: ‘Mickey Lolich – Forever in the Stands.'”
The special seat will be designed in the Tigers’ signature blue and white colors, featuring an image of Lolich throwing the ball at the 1968 World Series, and a small symbolic donut box placed next to each game. No one else will sit in that seat – it belongs to Mickey forever. This marks the first time in Tigers history that a legend has been given a permanent seat in the stands as a member of the crowd.
Tigers fans called this “the most beautiful gesture in the team’s history.” Many compared it to how Fenway Park reserved a seat for Ted Williams or how Fenway reserved a seat for Yaz. “Mickey doesn’t need a monument – he needs to sit with the fans, as he did his whole life,” a former teammate shared.
The Lolich family expressed their gratitude: “Our father will be deeply moved. He always said that the Tigers weren’t just a team – the Tigers were a family. Now he’ll be there forever, listening to every game.”
Detroit is grieving, but also proud. Mickey Lolich was more than just a pitcher – he was an icon of the Motor City spirit: resilient, humble, and always putting the team first. His passing is a great loss, but the fulfillment of his wish is the most beautiful tribute – an empty seat in the stands, where the cheers still echo, and Mickey’s spirit sits there, smiling as he watches the Tigers fight.
Rest in peace, Mickey. Your seat is ready. Comerica Park will never be without you.
