I was a 12 yo Michigan boy during the 68 World Series, and a rabid Tiger's fan. I can't begin to tell everyone just how wonderful it is to see this again. Can hardly wait for baseball to start up again this Spring. "Play Ball"!⚾️
Quite a time! I was just beginning my freshman year at college. I saw Kaline and Northrop later at a Nixon rally in Flint. Being a ‘lefty’ I was a little disappointed in their choice for president, but they won the series!
I was also 12 in 68 and my parents had just moved us from Mi to Ca but I was died hard tigers fan. My best friend was from St Louis and really rubbed it in when the cards were up 3-1. WHAT A COMEBACK! GREAT MEMORY.
I was at a brand-new school then, TVs and carpet in classrooms. 6th grade teacher was from the Bronx, big-time Yankee fan. If a game was on, he'd tell us, Get your work done; game's comin on. Prolly the best teacher I ever had; that was just one reason why 🙂
Lolich and Gibson each pitch a complete a game. Mickey Lolich pitched on two days rest, his third win of the world series, finished with a 1.67 ERA. Gave up a home run with two out in the 9th and even then they didn't start warming up a relief. From the pace of the game to the gear from leggings to batting helmets, from the 2 handed catches to the hustle coming in as a pinch runner, from base running basics, to the 9th inning from starters ... from the professional supervision of the umpires to the conduct of the fans to the behavior in the clubhouse after the win ... THIS is why I watched baseball as a kid.
And that game you so wonderfully described, has sadly been utterly destroyed under the "Commissioner" Manfuck regime... Assists go to this "Look At Me" generation of players, and all the complicit owners who have enabled the above... 😡
I like these magic teams like the Tigers in ‘68 and the Mets in ‘69. No dynasty these. They come into existence and inspire fans that need them to redeem a city after trauma, the summer of 1967 riots in Detroit, the fall of New York in the 1960s.
I was a 10 year old kid sitting in a downtown Atlanta soul food restaurant watching this game. What a great memory you brought back! Boy! How I miss those days and that era of baseball. Thank you!
I was 14, that year we LOVED the Tigers. Knew every players name. I had a small radio, carried with me always, never missed listening to a Tigers game. One of the greatest years of my life.
I was 14 too and listened to every game. I’m 70 now and when my wife says I’m losing my memory I just start rattling off every player from that team 56 years ago 😂
*I saw an interview once that Tim McCarver gave about this World Series. He said that he and his teammates, who were confident as defending World Series Champions, picked Roger Maris's brain about the Tigers and their pitchers (Maris was in the American League with the Yankees for years), as they had some concerns about facing 30 game winner Denny McClain in the Series. McCarver said Maris told them that they'd probably hit McClain in the Series (the Cardinals actually shelled him twice), but they should be really be concerned with facing Mickey Lolich. McCarver said the team had its doubts with Maris's assessment. Turns out Maris was spot-on, and was in the on-deck circle when McCarver made the final out in the Series.*
I was a young boy in the 1950s. We lived in Kansas City at the time and the A's were there, having not yet moved to Oakland. We regularly went to see them play in an old minor league stadium. It was so small you could just about reach out and touch the players. There were only eight teams per league in those days and they didn't have all of the divisions like now. And, yes, money hadn't yet ruined America's National Past Time. It was a special era I will never forget.
my name is Robert I met your Grandpa his nick name was CHIEF, I met him when he was in the Triple A Charleston Charlies of the Pirates organization but was already a fan during his 1968 Detroit Tiger days he was really good
Kenadie Patterson I remember Patterson coming into a game against the Orioles, who were in 2nd place, with the bases loaded and nobody out and he struck out the side
My all-time favorite Tigers team. Came from behind time and time again. So many 9th inning miracles. Downtown Detroit was absolutely crazy. 22 years old then, and it seems like yesterday. Sad, though, to see the Tigers who have since passed away. Norm Cash, Jim Northrup, Ray Oyler, Gates Brown and announcers George Kell and the immortal Ernie Harwell. Love the '68 Tigers!
and Dick McAuliffe died about a year ago. this was one of the most exciting WS ever, and Tigers were big underdogs. after Gibson struck out 17 in gm 1 and beat them in gm 4 to put Cards up 3-1, no one thought they would come back
Man that was a great team.. But do you know what I think was my favorite tiger team? The 1961 team with Colovito and bunning.. Along with Cash Kaline, Bruton ,wood , Mcauliffe and Lary..
As a Detroit native now living in CA, I never get tired of watching this...this has got to be the most iconic moment and day in Detroit Sports history. That team is still revered, every one of them.
Both my parents were Detroiters. I was born in Detroit but we moved to Tucson in 76 and Huntington Beach in 78. Dad graduated from MacKenzie and mom Cooley. Both Wayne St grads. What does the CHS stand for in your screen name? The 68 team was such a joy for them.
Tigers full starting team. 1st Baseman: Miguel Cabrera 2nd Baseman: Ian Kinsler 3rd Baseman: Nick Castelonoes Shortstop: Eugneo Suarez/Jose Iglesias (on the DL) Left Fielder: Rajai Davis Center Fielder: Austin Jackson Right Fielder: Torii Hunter Pitching Rotation: Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, Anibal Sanchez, Rick Porcello, and Drew Smyly Setup Man: Joba Chamberlin Closer: Joe Nathan Cardinals Full starting team. 1st Baseman: Matt Adams 2nd Baseman: Mark Ellis 3rd Baseman: Matt Carpenter Shortstop: Jhonny Peralta (Yeah it's spelled like Jhonny) Left Fielder: Matt Holiday Center Fielder: Peter Bourjous Right Fielder: Allen Craig Pitching Rotation: Adam Wainwright, Michael Wacha, Shelby Miller, Lance Lynn, Jaime Garcia/or/ Joe Kelly Setup Man: Jason Motte Closer: Trevor Rosentheal - There ya go its their starters :)
a great one has passed today, but his memory lives thru your wonderful telecast that i just (not just highlites) saw, a bonding moment for Tiger fans everywhere, 68 Series Game 7. Al Kaline pure Detroit, the ultimate pro and a real gentleman.
I watched this game when I was in 5th Grade. At that age, Tigers baseball was THE thing for me. It was a critically important event for the city of Detroit after the unrest in 1967 & '68. I cannot thank you enough for posting this.
I was in Vietnam in '68. Luckily, the radio broadcast was carried on Armed Forces Vietnam Radio. I set my alarm and listened to it live broadcast, sometime around 2 or 3 in the morning : ) It was great to hear my Tigers win!
Ernie Harwell! Al Kaline! Mickey Lolich! Freehan catching that ball off of McCarver! Oh my Detroit youth. I remember it all. Rushed home from school with a transistor radio pressed to my ear to catch the end of the game. Went downtown with my dad and saw all wonderful hell busting loose. Paper flying out of all the windows, ankle deep in the street. The team that saved the city, and gave it one of its greatest days.
I was glad Al Kaline finally got to play in a World Series. It probably wouldn't have happened in today's playoffs. Some 2nd or 3rd place team might have won it, taking the real fun out of the game and leaving the fans feeling so empty and cheated. The Cardinals may not have gotten there either. I remember what effect this real World Series had on the city of Detroit. Can't stand to watch it today. Lolich pitched on only two days rest. They can't pitch on three days rest today. Lolich would have automatically been removed after the 6th or 7th inning today. Instead he pitches a complete game. Almost pitched a shutout.
I was rooting for the Cards, and I *sure* remember that pop-up off McCarver's bat and Freehan settling under it for the final out. The agony of defeat!
mortimer zilch There is an interesting fact from 1971. Both Lolich and Vida Blue struck out over 300 that year; 308 and 301 respectively. But here's the incredible fact: Neither pitcher averaged a strikeout per inning!! Mickey threw 376 innings and Vida threw 312 innings. The very next year Steve Carlton did the same thing, striking out 310 while throwing 346 innings. Throwing 300 innings wasn't so uncommon once, but we generally think if someone struck out over 300, they averaged a strikeout an inning. This happened several times with Koufax and Bob Feller too. My how the game has changed. Nobody will throw 300 innings ever again.
+Daniel Zanier Lolich threw over 300 innings in like 4 straight years. He was one of the best Left handed pitchers of his time & deserves to be in the Hall of Fame IMHO
Love this clip. For nostalgic people like 64 year old me, this is heaven. Loved not only the ninth-inning, but the celebration interviews. Especially Mickey Lolich on how he critiqued his own pitching. How many of today’s pitchers would admit weakness on the game they just pitched? Plus his pitching analysis On the difference between feeling weak and lacking energy, and what it does to one’s sinking fastball. Very informative
Ya I caught that moment too....bittersweet cause he was on the 64 Yankees when st. Louis beat them in 7 games even though for most ot the game Mel Stottlemyre matched Gibson pitch for pitch.....watched both games.....what memories, huh????
Yes, normally he wouldn’t have been playing. He was platooned in right field with Ron Davis. Maris played that day because everyone knew it was his last game.
@@JustWinBabee Even without the platoon advantage, I would rather have Maris in there, due to experience, and the fact that Davis was pathetic. His slash line was .177/.221/.278.
Although I was happy the Tigers won, I really wanted them to get a shutout to match what Gibson did to them in game 1. The Cardinals scored to break up a shut out in the 9th with 2 out in both Game 6 and 7.
I was only 6 years old in 68 and dont remember watching the Tigers. I started running home from school to watch the tigers in 72,73... Born in the Detroit area and my greatest experiance ever was ofcourse 1984!!!!
@@garysolorzano3216 When I was just starting to watch baseball I liked the Yankees. They were still the dynasty at that point. And when the Cardinals beat them in '64 I was one mad 7 year old! Carried that dislike forward and still root against them most of the time.
Dennis Cassley Freehan was a certified bad dude! I was a catcher too, and he was my hero. I remember when this series was on, they even had it on the PA system in my junior high school in Ann Arbor, because all the teachers wanted to keep up with what was going on.
Amen, brother!! Great to hear from ya!! You've probably read his book, just like I had years ago, "Behind the Mask"? Some good insights into Denny McClain in there!!
drewby613 Amazon has it...but it's pricey, i.e., $28 for a paperback. There may be less expensive ones via a secondary supplier off of Amazon. For that matter, it just may be in your hometown library... I remember the very first part of the book had a headline, "Don't Drop This One, Dummy," referring to the pop-up he had caught that won the World Series for the Tigers in '68. Good luck & good reading!!
Yah, I see. Even used on Abebooks they're all over $20. Maybe I could find an e-book version for less. Anyway, I'll keep an eye out for it. Thanks again for the recommendation.
My brother and I and a friend were watching this on our tv in Detroit. I was 14 at the time. They got the last out and we went nuts. After a 23 year drought the Detroit Tigers had finally won the World Series. My friend and I got on the Joy Road bus and went downtown, trying to get over to the east side to see our girlfriends. We never made it....lol Downtown was an absolute party. Traffic was at a halt, people were celebrating, drinking in the streets, it was like Mardi Gras. No violence, no looting, just everyone joining in on something that brought the city together after a tense, long, violent hot summer that saw riots in the streets. It was one of the happiest moments in the city's history. I'm 60 now and I'll remember that day for the rest of my life.
oldschoolsinger I'm the same age as you. I remember this game. I was 3 1/2 hours north of Detroit on lake Huron but our parents celebrated like crazy! Like your name. I've been singing in a band for many years. Have a good one.
As a little leaguer in 1969, my friend's dad was a scout for the Tigers. I still remember when he came to one of our practices and showed off his 1968 World Series ring. What a thrill for a 10 year old boy. I have been a Tigers fan ever since.
My dad was a photographer for the 1968 World Series...I sadly lost my father in May last year...I love you dad💔😿#RIPERNIEHARWELL #RIPALKALINE #RIPGEORGEKELL Great men and great Tiger broadcasters and players.
Mickey Lolich was Series MVP, and there were few ever more overwhelmingly deserving. He went 3-0, with 3 complete games, and a 1.67 ERA. Beat HoFer Bob Gibson in Game 7. We won’t be seeing that matched anytime soon.
God does this take me back. I was in the 5th grade of elementary school during the series. To illustate what a big thing baseball was in Detroit back then, they brought a television into each classroom during the afternoon to watch the first 5 games of the series. Running home during the 7th inning stretch. For the last 2 games they sent us home 2 hours early to watch the game at home. It was a truly electric moment when they won. Thanks for this video.
Yep, back when Harry was more a real baseball announcer and not a sideshow for the Worlds Largest Outdoor Beer Garden (ie Wrigley Field + drunken Cubs fans). Unfortunately he would be gone as the Cards play by play man after years and years in the booth in StL within a year or so after allegedly fooling around with Mrs Busch...
NBC had the TV broadcasts of the WS in 1968. Their main play by play announcers were augmented by the TV announcers for each team while in their home ballpark games. Thus, George Kell was in the booth with Curt Gowdy and Tony Kubeck for Tiger home games, and this being St Louis meant it was Harry’s turn at the mic. Harry was pretty even keeled and objective even as it became apparent that his team was about to go down. The contrast in broadcast styles between the two (Kell and Carey) was quite an irritant for my dad, who preferred the less “bombastic” Harry Carey.
The greatest World Series of my 70 year lifetime. Great because it was such a surprise. And because it was the last Series before the playoffs were instituted. And because Gibson set the all-time World Series strikeout mark. And because nobody in the universe expected the Tigers to beat Gibson. And because the great Kaline, playing in his only World Series ever, hit .379 and added a home run as I recall. This was a massive upset - akin to Alabama being beaten in football by Wake Forest.
Everyone forgets the Tigers missed the 1967 series by 1/2 game. Monster three headed pennant race between the Tigers, Twins and eventual A.L. Champ Red Sox.
God this brings back memories. I was only 4 but I remember it. Also great to see Ernie Harwell. I remember we would turn the volume on the TV down and turn up WJR and listen to Ernie.
I was seven years old that summer of '68, and the kids played whiffle ball outside after school. We still didn't know that the Big Leagues existed yet. The following October, 1969, we watched the Amazing Mets beat Baltimore, and all of a sudden MLB made sense to us kids. By 1974, I could tune the family AM radio at night to WJR 760 and hear Paul Carey & Jim Price broadcasting the Tigers games and postgame wrap. Farmer Jack stores was a major sponsor of the Tigers in the 1970's and after the games were over, at the top of each hour there would be a tone, or chime, then a voice telling radio-listeners that it's Farmer Jack savings time. Then the post-game radio call-in shows would begin. One night I was listening to a Tiger's home game that had over 50,000 fans in attendance at Michigan & Trumbull, because a young RHP phenom named Mark Fidrych was starting on a weeknight, (not a weekend). The radio announcers commented throughout the game how loud the stadium was that evening, and you could hear the roar of the crowd over the transistor radio, and we were approx 700 miles to the east of Tiger stadium ... and the night games came in clear-as-a-bell. We could also tune in the Reds and Indians on WLS and WLW at night, on that AM radio. Brings back amazing memories.
@@charlesmessina5253 ...I was 5 when the StL beat the Yankees in '64 & I remember that. Hell, I remember watching President Kennedy getting shot with Grandma Baker 10 mo. previously....
11:39 This interview is so satisfying to watch. Kaline was already a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame at this point in his career, but this was his crowning moment. He’d waited 16 years to even get the chance to play in the World Series, and he absolutely seized the opportunity. A .379/.400/.655 slash line with 0.48 WPA and 9.18 cWPA would probably get him World Series MVP in most years. But right there, we’re witnessing a legend complete his resume with that elusive championship ring. As a Yankee fan, it gives me chills.
Both pitchers pitched 9 innings and hit their spot in the order. That's the way the game was made to be played. Most teams had only 4-man starting pitching rotations, and let their pitchers go deep into games if it looked like they still had stuff. Denny McClain won 31 games that year. Today it's a miracle if a pitcher wins twenty, and lucky if he even gets 30 starts.
The culmination of my youth. I was 13 years old when The Tigers completed this remarkable comeback from being down 3 games to 1, to take the series 4-3. I had been following the Tigers since I was 6 years old. As a kid it seemed that the Tigers would never win the World Series. But in 1968, a year I still hold close to my heart, they did it, and set off a statewide celebration. Kaline Cash, Freehan, Stanley, Northrup, Horton, Wert, Mc Auliffe, Lolich, Mc Lain, Wilson, Dobson, Patterson and more. These were the heroes of my youth. I will never forget these guys, and the joy they brought to The City if Detroit, and the State of Michigan. “ GO GET EM TIGERS”.
I missed this game as did most youths. Game seven of a World Series was not a good enough reason to miss school. Watched very brief highlights on national news that night and living in Houston meant not a lot of publicity considering it was game seven of the World Series and nothing else going on. Thanks for posting this, I’ve waited 56 years to enjoy this final inning.
Unbelievable how much better baseball was in the 60's and 70's. Games lasted 2 hours, Starters finished games, players played because they loved the game, stars remained loyal to their teams!! Bob Gibson anywhere but St. Louis? Al Kaline anywhere but Detroit? it truly was AMERICA's PASTIME.
No DH, in a close game mangers had to decide whether to pull a pitcher for a pinch hitter or let him finish the game. It was part of baseball. No playoffs (til 1969), the team with the best record went to the World Series.
When I was in 5th grade we got to pull our desks out into the hallway at school and we got to watch the 68 world series. That's when I became a Tigers fan for life. I thank Westwood Elementary for having the opportunity to watch some of those great games.
Mark McCarty today's hitters suck compared to the Hitters from the 50s and the 60s. Also when that pinch-runner ran in they would have went to a commercial today. A Friend of mine knows somebody who has seats behind Home Plate at Yankee Stadium they go for $1,500 a seat to the average person that's insane. Another reason why I'm a New York Mets fan I hate the fucking Yankees. Steinbrenner ruined baseball.
This is a treat. DC suburbs here. 12 years old in '68. I admired Bob Gibson, had a "Stormin Norman" mitt. 2 great teams, and the St. L fans show real class with an ovation for good work by visiting pitcher, Micky Lolich. Great stuff. Cheers
In 1968 I was 14 years old and also living in the DC suburbs in Silver Spring, Maryland. At the time, I was going to Takoma Park junior high school, and as soon as school was over, I would hurry home to watch the World Series. Back then, I was a huge fan of the Washington Senators, and my favorite player by far was Frank Howard. In 1969, the Senators hired Ted Williams to be their manager, and they finally had a winning team that year!!
I was in the 8th grade in the fall of '68 and I remember be in school the day this game was played. Nobody but nobody thought the Tigers had a chance of beating Gibson. After all he had those 17 K's in game one and was nearly unhittable in his next start. Back in the day of day baseball, wow, great memories.
I was just six at the time but i remember my dad watching it on tv and how my whole family loved the Tigers. I did go to Holy Redeemer High School later with Willie Horton's son Daryl, he would get dropped off to school in a limousine. The 70's Tigers were still good but would lose to the A's in the playoffs.
I was 7 years old in "68. My dad took me to my first ballgame that year. I improved my reading by laying on the living room floor reading the Detroit Free Press Sports section aloud to Mom and Dad. Bill Freehan was my hero. I probably didn't realize that that I was experiencing a victory for the ages back then. Watching these clips however, remind me of how lucky I am to say that I remember them. And I do, vividly.
thanks for posting, I was born in 71 and used to play a game called micro-league baseball 68 tigers were a team on that game, they were my favorite, now I can finally see the team I used to beat the teams my friends used to choose in head to head.
There was so much about that game that reminds me why I used to love the game. The game moved very quickly. The lack of tv replays was something i didn’t miss. I liked listening to the game as it sounded like a radio broadcast with pictures. I loved seeing my favorite Tiger player Gates Brown in the locker room. It is probably the nostalgia of seeing my childhood again but was it better then? Kaline, Horton, Freehan, Lolich. American League pitchers batting. My family moved to Detroit the day this series ended. I remember asking my mother why all the car horns were blowing. I only wish ESPN would have left the original score graphics in place. I don’t mind the old “chyron” look.
I was at Glen X's house -- we watched the whole series there because he had a color TV! We were juniors in high school and skipped school to watch the all the day games of that series. Mickey Lolich pitched that complete game on two days rest; nobody does that anymore! Thank god we didn't have to hear Harry Caray, though... we turned the sound down and listened to Ernie Harwell do the radio play by play. A couple weeks earrlier, Glen and I were at the second to the last regular season game at Tiger Stadium -- when they clinched the pennant. That was a wild, wild night! I still have a piece of forest green 2x4 from the Tiger stadium center field wall from that night. The fans all rushed the field after the game -- some kid had ripped it off the wall by the flagpole at the 440' marker and a cop grabbed him so he dropped it. I picked it up and took it home with us. I stapled my ticket stub to that board and still have it to this day. We headed for downtown and our bus got stuck in the traffic jams on Michigan Avenue, so we walked about two more miles down to the stadium at the corner of Michigan and Trumbull. People were just going nuts... solid car horns... people hugging each other... blacks hugging whites and whites hugging blacks... it was the best thing that could've happened to the city. Remember, this was only one year after the horrible 1967 Detroit riots, but for that brief period everybody forgot all about the racist shit and celebrated together. It was quite a sight to witness and to be part of. Won't ever forget that day.
This Detroit team I was 13 years old my favorite team of all time I’ll never forget the joy of them winning against the Cardinals McLain winning 31 games And Mickey Waiting three games in the World Series
I was 7 and remember coming home from school and watching the last few plays. I clearly remember watching freehan catch the pop-up, but all these years later I always wondered if my memory was correct. NOW I KNOW! THANKS FOR THE VIDEO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is the first WS I watched in tv. Living in Toledo at the time, I was a big Tigers fan, Kaline being my favorite player. I was so glad they won, my all time favorite World Series. I noticed the games were a lot faster then, no pitch counts, and starters went the whole game a lot more. Thanks for this video.
@@donbailey2765 Loved Micky Lolich, he was a gamer. Went to many games at Tiger Stadium with my dad and brother in the 60's and 70's. I haven't been back to Toledo since the early 90's, I hope to go back someday to visit. Graduated from the University of Toledo, I now live in Tacoma, Washington. Have a great day!
@@markw3598 Went to many Mud Hens games growing up. I saw a 7 inning perfect game, doubleheader games are 7 not 9 innings in the minors. This was in the early 70's, Joe Niekro pitching for the Mud Hens. They were playing in their stadium in Maumee at that time. Go Mud Hens!
I remember my Dad talking about the 61 Tigers and how they came so close to the dance. Then he’d straighten up and talk about his World Champion 68 Tigers. When we didn’t have that much to talk about there was always baseball. He would toast the Tigers with a Strohs beer and said we’d love to eat some doughnuts at Mickey’s place. Bless you Dad, I love our baseball talk
Micky Lolich's pitching performance was the best pitching ever by a pitcher in a world series . His brilliant pitching winning 3 games and 3 complete games yet on a couple of days rest will never be seen in baseball again . His great effort no doubt won the Tigers the World Series . Lolich deserves to be in the HoF. ..He was masterful shutting down the mighty Cardinals I didn't see a relief pitcher taking warmups in the bullpen The Tigers began the year by winning so many games they were so far ahead of the next place team and stayed in 1st from day 1 to the world series Denny McCLain 's 31 wins in a season has never been broken in 56 years and will never be attained by a pitcher again
This can be called the last World Series. Starting in 1969, the playoffs commercial corruption absolutely ruined the concept of championship baseball. Now we get night games in late October, early November - football weather - they call the World Series, and it rarely is a competition between two teams who were the best team in their league over 162 games.
yes, the team who wins the league should be in the world series, none of this bullshit wildcard crap...get rid of 8 teams, and go back to the same format as before 1968...two leagues, simple!
graciemaemarie11 jones The flip side of this argument is that in many years the season would be over in July. Let’s face it, if one team has a 15 game lead by the all star break, why bother to play out the rest of the season? The multi tier division format allows for much more exciting late season baseball. The numbers prove me right. Attendance is much higher today than in the “ good old days.”
That simply is not true. The MOST exciting thing that can happen in a season is when a team starts to go on a streak in September and actually comes from 10 or more games behind. Think of the 1969 Mets or the do or die games when two teams tie for the season as the Giants and Dodgers in 1951.
What a Debby downer. Shut up grandpa. October baseball is beautiful and the game today is beautiful. “The Last World Series” my ass. Why don’t you grow a pair and appreciate the best game that’s ever been invented in all eras.
RIP Bobby (my brother) ... A Tigers fan taken too soon but I was thinking of you today and watched this and hopefully somehow you were watching it with me. Tear'em up Tigers! Let's go!
The last pure World Series. American League champion vs. National League champion. NO playoff games leading into the World Series. Game played during the day. Complete games by Gibson and Lolitch! The game probably only took about 2 hours to play.
Yep, this is the 1st WS I remember really following and watching as an 8 year old, and I'm glad it was this last true year of old school baseball, no divisions, no playoffs, just the 2 winners of the old NL and AL just like it had been since 1903. I of course was not aware of all that at the time. I was actually a Twins fan growing up in Minnesota (about 5 miles from the old Met), and the Twins had lost the pennant on the last day of 67, and battled the Tigers all year for the 68 pennant. So I didn't like the Tigers, and rooted for the Cardinals, who I liked anyway as my NL team because I liked their red and white classic Birds on the Bat uniforms on my baseball cards of Gibson and Brock etc. Little did I know that I would move to StL in 75 and become a lifelong Cards fan.
I was in fifth grade. I still remember all of the players names. It was a great season with a magical end. Thanks for the memories. It was an age of innocence.
No doubt about that. The reason for the sport seems to have completely changed, as well as the technology. It was an American sport, and it feels it. Now, the media and athletes hate the USA, the salaries are astronomical, and the media bludgeons the senses with overload. As other comments have noted, day games are so much better. Also, the announcers are better than what Fox does now: run Joe Buck out 20 years straight. And the game was faster.
@@arbogash1852 Baseball salaries have always been astronomical compared to the average person. A salary of $70,000 in 1968 would be equal to more than $500,000 today. $10 an hour in 1968 would be $75 today. Like in 1964 people thought The Beatles had long hair. Today it wouldn't be.
I was 14 and remember this series very well. As a Tiger fan, I was in awe of the season that Gibson had and knew that the Tigers weakest link was their starting rotation. In fact, Tigers fans had a saying that described the Tiger's starters...."Lolich, McClain and pray for rain". Ultimately, though, McLain's arm was used up from winning 30 and Lolich that was the workhorse. Back when baseball was still a game.
ray oyler was one hell of a shortstop and one hell of a guy he worked at boeing for while after leaveing baseball just one of the guys, rest in peace ray
I saw Ray Oyler play minor league baseball in a Syracuse-Rochester game in 1963. The big question was his hitting, he was always a brilliant fielder. Nice to see he enjoy a share of the glory in 1968.
Watching this ninth inning, ... I am very glad that Mayo Smith moved Mickey Stanley to CF, so that fans could get a chance to see Ray Oyler's solid defensive skills at SS. I was too young to comprehend this game in 1968, ... but looking back at this World series, ... I am amazed at the ability of this Tiger team to repeatedly come back in the late innings of games throughout the long, hot summer of 1968. The disappointment of the way the 1967 A.L. Pennant race ended, ... obviously left a bad taste in the mouths of the players. And they seemed to know that the '68 season would end differently from Spring training onward through the All-star break.
Ray Oyler was a family friend and I really enjoyed watching him play. My folks best friends were Ray’s parents so they went to the Series sitting with the wives at the games. He was a sweet man and so humble. Those were exciting days!
@@kjsfl386 here a little late but Ray Oyler was my great grandfathers cousin (Howard Oyler) who also had an opportunity to play in the majors but chose to be an Air Force pilot in WWII i never find anyone with my last name and Ray is a story passed down through my family who are all baseball fans!
@@gavinoyler240 Ray was a gracious and funny man. I knew his daughters quite well and he had a nice family. Ray was a much underrated and unappreciated talent due to lackluster batting skills. But his glove? Golden!!! Great hearing from you.
I remember this, I was in elementary school and kept telling anybody who would listen that my Tigers were going to comeback and win the series even when they were down 3-1. After the series this kid walks up to me on the schoolyard and says dude you were right we both just started laughing......this was the best! Go Tigers!.....
To let students get home and watch the game Detroit School Superintendent Norman Drachler rescheduled a teacher's conference so we had a half day of school the day of game seven.
As a kid, in Detroit. The school let us watch some of the world series. When they won, they had a parade for the team, and I was lucky enough to see them and cheer for them as they went by... great memories!
I wish they had the 2 announcers from both teams announce today like they did in the old days. Today's network announcers have no passion for the game.
We were all around the radio when this happened, work was done for the day! 3 of my heroes/ friends played in this and we all went nuts to see them win the series!!
Awesome baseball....Not one mention on how many pitches Gibson or Lolich threw. Love it!!.....ever since the incessant banter about how many pitches the starting pitcher threw that became "fashionable", the MLB game has become mediocre. This is how you announce a baseball game!!!! Take notes 21st century commentators.
I'm sure that the Romans didn't talk about how much lead was in their water pipes or makeup, and yet that also had health effects, never mind being a reasonable approximation of how tired a pitcher was getting (e.g. Pedro Martinez).
This is the last World Series that I didn’t see. I was just 6 and probably playing with my Hot Wheels cars. I remember the 1969 Series (Mets vs. Orioles) and every one since then. Go Cubs!
A great finish to a great World Series, but can you imagine that Ken Burns' video "Baseball" made absolutely no mention of the Tigers' victory in the 1968 World Series? The Tigers were behind three games to one, but won three consecutive games to pull it out and win the World Series, but Ken Burns did not think it was worthy of mention.
Burn's series should have been titled the history of New York baseball. Many found the much of the series to be very insulting to the long histories of franchises and fan bases around the country.
I was 12 years old in 1968 playing in the Canadian Little League Championship tournament across the river in Windsor,it was a Sunday,our billets took us to Tiger Stadium that August day but sadly the Tigers were out of town,my billet purchased a Tiger's penant for me, I still have it 52 years later,a year after the Detroit riots,"The Motor City is Burning", I can't describe how empowered I felt that sunny hot day standing next to Tiger Stadium,in a dreamstate...1968,man I never came down off that one,The Detroit Tigers World Series Champs,Kurt Gowdy doin the games too,wow.Like the other comments here reveal,it was all baseball,all class,no one stepping out every pitch,fixing their batting gloves every pitch,that garbage should be outlawed and the Ken Burns baseball documentary snubbing the Tigers and all the stellar achievements of those great Tigers of 1968,well that is a big time disgrace for sure,them Tigers beat the powerhouse St Louis Cardinals,winners of the 1967 World Series from the previous year,they were our baseball heroes,us little guys idolized those men,the Cardinals and the Tigers alike,those were the days my friend...we thought they'd never end !!!
I was a 12 yo Michigan boy during the 68 World Series, and a rabid Tiger's fan. I can't begin to tell everyone just how wonderful it is to see this again. Can hardly wait for baseball to start up again this Spring. "Play Ball"!⚾️
Looks like you've got October to look forward to!
Quite a time! I was just beginning my freshman year at college. I saw Kaline and Northrop later at a Nixon rally in Flint. Being a ‘lefty’ I was a little disappointed in their choice for president, but they won the series!
I was also 12 in 68 and my parents had just moved us from Mi to Ca but I was died hard tigers fan. My best friend was from St Louis and really rubbed it in when the cards were up 3-1. WHAT A COMEBACK! GREAT MEMORY.
I remember my mom letting me stay home from school to watch this series
One of the best series ever!
Your mom is/was awesome!
@user-ub1gm6jk7b, yep. Our teachers brought TVs in too. Those were the good old days.
I was at a brand-new school then, TVs and carpet in classrooms. 6th grade teacher was from the Bronx, big-time Yankee fan. If a game was on, he'd tell us, Get your work done; game's comin on. Prolly the best teacher I ever had; that was just one reason why 🙂
Lolich and Gibson each pitch a complete a game. Mickey Lolich pitched on two days rest, his third win of the world series, finished with a 1.67 ERA. Gave up a home run with two out in the 9th and even then they didn't start warming up a relief.
From the pace of the game to the gear from leggings to batting helmets, from the 2 handed catches to the hustle coming in as a pinch runner, from base running basics, to the 9th inning from starters ... from the professional supervision of the umpires to the conduct of the fans to the behavior in the clubhouse after the win ... THIS is why I watched baseball as a kid.
Baseball is meant to be played on real grass, in the afternoon, and with pitchers taking responsibility for themselves on offence.
@@georgelewis3047 Complete games. Bring back the Bunt.
And that game you so wonderfully described, has sadly been utterly destroyed under the "Commissioner" Manfuck regime... Assists go to this "Look At Me" generation of players, and all the complicit owners who have enabled the above... 😡
A nice ovation from Cardinal fans for the visiting pitcher Mickey Lolich who pitched brilliant baseball for Detroit. What class and a great WS !!
Classy fans.
Coming back from 3 games to 1 got to be one of the best ever. Mickey hit a home run also I think game 5
I like these magic teams like the Tigers in ‘68 and the Mets in ‘69. No dynasty these. They come into existence and inspire fans that need them to redeem a city after trauma, the summer of 1967 riots in Detroit, the fall of New York in the 1960s.
@@deborahbozin6587 game 2
Just don't see that anymore
I was a 10 year old kid sitting in a downtown Atlanta soul food restaurant watching this game. What a great memory you brought back! Boy! How I miss those days and that era of baseball. Thank you!
I was an 11 year old watching in my dad`s best friend's barbershop. The first series I ever saw, and it's one of the classics.
I was 14, that year we LOVED the Tigers. Knew every players name. I had a small radio, carried with me always, never missed listening to a Tigers game. One of the greatest years of my life.
I thought I was old lol 😂. Yes our Boyz did it. Now the Lions 💥💙 need to kick some butt.
I was 6.
I was 14 too and listened to every game. I’m 70 now and when my wife says I’m losing my memory I just start rattling off every player from that team 56 years ago 😂
@@sheneedsme lol good job.
Agreed, I was 11 years old, what a summer ❤
The city of Detroit needed this victory in so many ways. It was such a blessing.
*I saw an interview once that Tim McCarver gave about this World Series. He said that he and his teammates, who were confident as defending World Series Champions, picked Roger Maris's brain about the Tigers and their pitchers (Maris was in the American League with the Yankees for years), as they had some concerns about facing 30 game winner Denny McClain in the Series. McCarver said Maris told them that they'd probably hit McClain in the Series (the Cardinals actually shelled him twice), but they should be really be concerned with facing Mickey Lolich. McCarver said the team had its doubts with Maris's assessment. Turns out Maris was spot-on, and was in the on-deck circle when McCarver made the final out in the Series.*
This was before baseball was ruined by money. Thanks for posting.
I was a young boy in the 1950s. We lived in Kansas City at the time and the A's were there, having not yet moved to Oakland. We regularly went to see them play in an old minor league stadium. It was so small you could just about reach out and touch the players. There were only eight teams per league in those days and they didn't have all of the divisions like now. And, yes, money hadn't yet ruined America's National Past Time. It was a special era I will never forget.
Shut the hell up
Baseball was ruined by television and electric lights.
Baseball was ruined by commercialism and money. Night games! Etc…
My grandpa was on the Detroit tigers, Cardinals, oakland athletics, and the pirates but he was mostly on the tigers he is Daryl Patterson ;)
my name is Robert I met your Grandpa his nick name was CHIEF, I met him when he was in the Triple A Charleston Charlies of the Pirates organization but was already a fan during his 1968 Detroit Tiger days he was really good
oh really!!! Nice
Daryl Patterson? He was a very good relief Pitcher! Awesome
Wow, does that make me feel old. I remember when Daryl was a young, hard throwing rookie with the Tigers. Seems like yesterday.
Kenadie Patterson I remember Patterson coming into a game against the Orioles, who were in 2nd place, with the bases loaded and nobody out and he struck out the side
My all-time favorite Tigers team. Came from behind time and time again. So many 9th inning miracles. Downtown Detroit was absolutely crazy. 22 years old then, and it seems like yesterday. Sad, though, to see the Tigers who have since passed away. Norm Cash, Jim Northrup, Ray Oyler, Gates Brown and announcers George Kell and the immortal Ernie Harwell. Love the '68 Tigers!
and Dick McAuliffe died about a year ago. this was one of the most exciting WS ever, and Tigers were big underdogs. after Gibson struck out 17 in gm 1 and beat them in gm 4 to put Cards up 3-1, no one thought they would come back
And Mayo Smith, Dick Traczewski, Joe Sparma, Don McMahon, Earl Wilson, Pat Dobson, Ed Mathews, ... may they rest-in-peace.
Man that was a great team.. But do you know what I think was my favorite tiger team? The 1961 team with Colovito and bunning.. Along with Cash Kaline, Bruton ,wood , Mcauliffe and Lary..
Gator is still alive. Cigarettes haven't did him in yet.
@@melite78 Gates Brown died
I was 11. My WHOLE meaning in life was to run home from school, knock out my paper route, and make it home by the first pitch. Talk about pressure.
I was too busy. I was 20. Besides there was no TV. I also was carrying the wrong kind of radio.
My older brother told me about it when I got home.
And I thought I was the only one.yes there were alot of us young kids in those days , that just loved baseball.😊
As a Detroit native now living in CA, I never get tired of watching this...this has got to be the most iconic moment and day in Detroit Sports history. That team is still revered, every one of them.
Both my parents were Detroiters. I was born in Detroit but we moved to Tucson in 76 and Huntington Beach in 78. Dad graduated from MacKenzie and mom Cooley. Both Wayne St grads. What does the CHS stand for in your screen name? The 68 team was such a joy for them.
The names of all these guys mean something to me. I couldn't name 4 guys on the Tigers and Cardinals today.
Tigers full starting team. 1st Baseman: Miguel Cabrera 2nd Baseman: Ian Kinsler 3rd Baseman: Nick Castelonoes Shortstop: Eugneo Suarez/Jose Iglesias (on the DL) Left Fielder: Rajai Davis Center Fielder: Austin Jackson
Right Fielder: Torii Hunter
Pitching Rotation: Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, Anibal Sanchez, Rick Porcello, and Drew Smyly
Setup Man: Joba Chamberlin
Closer: Joe Nathan
Cardinals Full starting team. 1st Baseman: Matt Adams
2nd Baseman: Mark Ellis
3rd Baseman: Matt Carpenter
Shortstop: Jhonny Peralta (Yeah it's spelled like Jhonny)
Left Fielder: Matt Holiday
Center Fielder: Peter Bourjous
Right Fielder: Allen Craig
Pitching Rotation: Adam Wainwright, Michael Wacha, Shelby Miller, Lance Lynn, Jaime Garcia/or/ Joe Kelly
Setup Man: Jason Motte
Closer: Trevor Rosentheal
- There ya go its their starters :)
I could, but I play in 8 fantasy baseball leagues :)
who cares about these bums these days.so whats yer point?
true.
graciemaemarie11 jones baseball gets better every single day. I love baseball.
Quite simply the best starting pitching performance in world series history. 3 complete game victories with game 7 pitched on 2 days rest.
a great one has passed today, but his memory lives thru your wonderful telecast that i just (not just highlites) saw, a bonding moment for Tiger fans everywhere, 68 Series Game 7. Al Kaline pure Detroit, the ultimate pro and a real gentleman.
Those of us that lived in Michigan...what a phenomenal year for baseball and the Tigers. So exciting.
I watched this game when I was in 5th Grade. At that age, Tigers baseball was THE thing for me. It was a critically important event for the city of Detroit after the unrest in 1967 & '68. I cannot thank you enough for posting this.
I was in Vietnam in '68. Luckily, the radio broadcast was carried on Armed Forces Vietnam Radio. I set my alarm and listened to it live broadcast, sometime around 2 or 3 in the morning : ) It was great to hear my Tigers win!
I was at Bien Hoa Air Base at that time as well. Got up in the middle of the night as you did! Sock it to em Tigers.
Ernie Harwell! Al Kaline! Mickey Lolich! Freehan catching that ball off of McCarver! Oh my Detroit youth. I remember it all. Rushed home from school with a transistor radio pressed to my ear to catch the end of the game. Went downtown with my dad and saw all wonderful hell busting loose. Paper flying out of all the windows, ankle deep in the street. The team that saved the city, and gave it one of its greatest days.
Al O Hahaha! I dragged my girlfriend to her house to catch the last 3 innings.
We moved to Royal Oak in August of 1967 and lived catty corner to where Bill Freehan used to live.
Hey man I was a youth here in Tennessee...those Tiger names on that team..Kaline...Freehan..you already said that but I loved the Tigers back then...
I was glad Al Kaline finally got to play in a World Series. It probably wouldn't have happened in today's playoffs. Some 2nd or 3rd place team might have won it, taking the real fun out of the game and leaving the fans feeling so empty and cheated. The Cardinals may not have gotten there either. I remember what effect this real World Series had on the city of Detroit. Can't stand to watch it today. Lolich pitched on only two days rest. They can't pitch on three days rest today. Lolich would have automatically been removed after the 6th or 7th inning today. Instead he pitches a complete game. Almost pitched a shutout.
I was rooting for the Cards, and I *sure* remember that pop-up off McCarver's bat and Freehan settling under it for the final out. The agony of defeat!
Two days rest and throws a complete game. Amazing!
mortimer zilch There is an interesting fact from 1971. Both Lolich and Vida Blue struck out over 300 that year; 308 and 301 respectively. But here's the incredible fact: Neither pitcher averaged a strikeout per inning!! Mickey threw 376 innings and Vida threw 312 innings. The very next year Steve Carlton did the same thing, striking out 310 while throwing 346 innings. Throwing 300 innings wasn't so uncommon once, but we generally think if someone struck out over 300, they averaged a strikeout an inning. This happened several times with Koufax and Bob Feller too. My how the game has changed. Nobody will throw 300 innings ever again.
+Daniel Zanier Lolich threw over 300 innings in like 4 straight years. He was one of the best Left handed pitchers of his time & deserves to be in the Hall of Fame IMHO
+BBBYpsi I'm not sure being in the HOF, but he was a great pitcher.
hof
Such an effortless looking and smooth delivery, no wonder the endurance...
Love this clip. For nostalgic people like 64 year old me, this is heaven. Loved not only the ninth-inning, but the celebration interviews. Especially Mickey Lolich on how he critiqued his own pitching. How many of today’s pitchers would admit weakness on the game they just pitched? Plus his pitching analysis On the difference between feeling weak and lacking energy, and what it does to one’s sinking fastball. Very informative
Sadly enough...waiting on deck when McCarver popped out to end the series....and playing his last big league game..the legendary ROGER MARIS
Ya I caught that moment too....bittersweet cause he was on the 64 Yankees when st. Louis beat them in 7 games even though for most ot the game Mel Stottlemyre matched Gibson pitch for pitch.....watched both games.....what memories, huh????
Yes, normally he wouldn’t have been playing. He was platooned in right field with Ron Davis. Maris played that day because everyone knew it was his last game.
Well, he won three WS in his career so he had a pretty full career. Much sadder was that he got lymphoma while still in his 40s.
@@JustWinBabee Even without the platoon advantage, I would rather have Maris in there, due to experience, and the fact that Davis was pathetic. His slash line was .177/.221/.278.
Great win Tigers! Lolich----a pitching machine!
One of the GREATEST performances in MLB history, in the World Series, by THE DETROIT TIGERS.
when will we EVER see a starting pitcher throw 376 innings in a year...? Todays pitchers are CODDLED
@@csnide6702never again
The pace of the game is so much faster back then.
Ran back to their position and on and off field. No gloves and protection to adjust every five seconds. Ball players 💯
Well, that is because Gibson is pitching
Not as commercialized
@@60zeller
Yep!.......😂
That’s the thing I noticed about the 1984 WS. Every at bat was like 3 pitches. Here it seemed everyone of them was 1 or 2 pitches
Loved the ‘68 Series! Very exciting
I love looking at the audience all dressed up in suits and ladies in dresses. My, how times have changed!
They had respect for each other and for the game.
there is ZERO class nowdays....
Good lord that was probably the last time people dressed like that. Millinials parents probably hadn't even been born yet so dont blame then
@@graciemaemarie11jones16 ...lots of class, all of it low....
My favorite activity while watching crowds such as these is looking for the fat people. There are virtually none.
As a kid, I ran home from school to watch this game. I was only able to pick up the last inning. I remember the Mike Shannon home run.
Although I was happy the Tigers won, I really wanted them to get a shutout to match what Gibson did to them in game 1. The Cardinals scored to break up a shut out in the 9th with 2 out in both Game 6 and 7.
Watched the ending on a tv at school. I despised the Cardinals and was delighted to see them blow this World Series.
I was only 6 years old in 68 and dont remember watching the Tigers. I started running home from school to watch the tigers in 72,73... Born in the Detroit area and my greatest experiance ever was ofcourse 1984!!!!
@@evanklein3549 Why?
@@garysolorzano3216 When I was just starting to watch baseball I liked the Yankees. They were still the dynasty at that point. And when the Cardinals beat them in '64 I was one mad 7 year old! Carried that dislike forward and still root against them most of the time.
I was only 5 years old when that happened, but the image of Bill Freehan catching that pop up is burned in my memory
Bill Freehan was my hero growing up in Detroit, and he was the reason I was a catcher in all the baseball leagues I played in, many years ago...
Dennis Cassley Freehan was a certified bad dude! I was a catcher too, and he was my hero. I remember when this series was on, they even had it on the PA system in my junior high school in Ann Arbor, because all the teachers wanted to keep up with what was going on.
Amen, brother!! Great to hear from ya!! You've probably read his book, just like I had years ago, "Behind the Mask"? Some good insights into Denny McClain in there!!
Whoa! No, I missed that. I check into it; thanks for the heads up!
drewby613
Amazon has it...but it's pricey, i.e., $28 for a paperback. There may be less expensive ones via a secondary supplier off of Amazon. For that matter, it just may be in your hometown library... I remember the very first part of the book had a headline, "Don't Drop This One, Dummy," referring to the pop-up he had caught that won the World Series for the Tigers in '68. Good luck & good reading!!
Yah, I see. Even used on Abebooks they're all over $20. Maybe I could find an e-book version for less. Anyway, I'll keep an eye out for it. Thanks again for the recommendation.
My brother and I and a friend were watching this on our tv in Detroit. I was 14 at the time. They got the last out and we went nuts. After a 23 year drought the Detroit Tigers had finally won the World Series. My friend and I got on the Joy Road bus and went downtown, trying to get over to the east side to see our girlfriends. We never made it....lol Downtown was an absolute party. Traffic was at a halt, people were celebrating, drinking in the streets, it was like Mardi Gras. No violence, no looting, just everyone joining in on something that brought the city together after a tense, long, violent hot summer that saw riots in the streets. It was one of the happiest moments in the city's history. I'm 60 now and I'll remember that day for the rest of my life.
I lived in Inkster and remember the horns honking into the wee hours of the night.
oldschoolsinger
I'm the same age as you. I remember this game. I was 3 1/2 hours north of Detroit on lake Huron but our parents celebrated like crazy! Like your name. I've been singing in a band for many years. Have a good one.
23 year drought? I was a high schooler in 1984. Hopefully the Tigers will win another World Series in my lifetime!
I was downtown Detroit that day! It was absolute pandemonium! I somehow made it home as the sun was coming up. Had a headache for the next two days!
As a little leaguer in 1969, my friend's dad was a scout for the Tigers. I still remember when he came to one of our practices and showed off his 1968 World Series ring. What a thrill for a 10 year old boy. I have been a Tigers fan ever since.
My dad was a photographer for the 1968 World Series...I sadly lost my father in May last year...I love you dad💔😿#RIPERNIEHARWELL #RIPALKALINE #RIPGEORGEKELL Great men and great Tiger broadcasters and players.
My grandfather was 21 at the time (78 now) and he said it was something to hear at the time. Crazy how much changed in only 60 years
Mickey Lolich was Series MVP, and there were few ever more overwhelmingly deserving. He went 3-0, with 3 complete games, and a 1.67 ERA. Beat HoFer Bob Gibson in Game 7. We won’t be seeing that matched anytime soon.
And he hit his only MLB home run in Game 2!
The first World Series ever that I can remember. I was eight years old. I remember my idol Orlando Cepeda.
God does this take me back. I was in the 5th grade of elementary school during the series. To illustate what a big thing baseball was in Detroit back then, they brought a television into each classroom during the afternoon to watch the first 5 games of the series. Running home during the 7th inning stretch. For the last 2 games they sent us home 2 hours early to watch the game at home. It was a truly electric moment when they won. Thanks for this video.
Weird listening to the great Harry Caray in his St. Louis days. Great stuff.
When he was coherent?
Harry Caray is #1 IMO.
I had to scroll down to find out if anyone would verify that it was Harry Caray...I wonder if he did his 7th inning stretch song?
Yep, back when Harry was more a real baseball announcer and not a sideshow for the Worlds Largest Outdoor Beer Garden (ie Wrigley Field + drunken Cubs fans). Unfortunately he would be gone as the Cards play by play man after years and years in the booth in StL within a year or so after allegedly fooling around with Mrs Busch...
NBC had the TV broadcasts of the WS in 1968. Their main play by play announcers were augmented by the TV announcers for each team while in their home ballpark games.
Thus, George Kell was in the booth with Curt Gowdy and Tony Kubeck for Tiger home games, and this being St Louis meant it was Harry’s turn at the mic. Harry was pretty even keeled and objective even as it became apparent that his team was about to go down. The contrast in broadcast styles between the two (Kell and Carey) was quite an irritant for my dad, who preferred the less “bombastic” Harry Carey.
The greatest World Series of my 70 year lifetime. Great because it was such a surprise. And because it was the last Series before the playoffs were instituted. And because Gibson set the all-time World Series strikeout mark. And because nobody in the universe expected the Tigers to beat Gibson. And because the great Kaline, playing in his only World Series ever, hit .379 and added a home run as I recall. This was a massive upset - akin to Alabama being beaten in football by Wake Forest.
I was 11, living 60 miles from st.lou. we were all hyped to win. I'm sure most of us thought we he had it in the bag.
Everyone forgets the Tigers missed the 1967 series by 1/2 game. Monster three headed pennant race between the Tigers, Twins and eventual A.L. Champ Red Sox.
The Tigers were a great team. Whitney is delusional in his recollection of baseball history. This *wasn’t* a massive upset.
Loved it especially my redsox lost the year before in 7 Jim lomberg won 3 games, in WS. Glad St. Louis lost loved tigers that year
God this brings back memories. I was only 4 but I remember it. Also great to see Ernie Harwell. I remember we would turn the volume on the TV down and turn up WJR and listen to Ernie.
Neil Monkman wow you had a great memory for being 4, some things just stick in your mind forever no matter what age
I was seven years old that summer of '68, and the kids played whiffle ball outside after school. We still didn't know that the Big Leagues existed yet. The following October, 1969, we watched the Amazing Mets beat Baltimore, and all of a sudden MLB made sense to us kids. By 1974, I could tune the family AM radio at night to WJR 760 and hear Paul Carey & Jim Price broadcasting the Tigers games and postgame wrap. Farmer Jack stores was a major sponsor of the Tigers in the 1970's and after the games were over, at the top of each hour there would be a tone, or chime, then a voice telling radio-listeners that it's Farmer Jack savings time. Then the post-game radio call-in shows would begin. One night I was listening to a Tiger's home game that had over 50,000 fans in attendance at Michigan & Trumbull, because a young RHP phenom named Mark Fidrych was starting on a weeknight, (not a weekend). The radio announcers commented throughout the game how loud the stadium was that evening, and you could hear the roar of the crowd over the transistor radio, and we were approx 700 miles to the east of Tiger stadium ... and the night games came in clear-as-a-bell. We could also tune in the Reds and Indians on WLS and WLW at night, on that AM radio. Brings back amazing memories.
@@charlesmessina5253 ...I was 5 when the StL beat the Yankees in '64 & I remember that. Hell, I remember watching President Kennedy getting shot with Grandma Baker 10 mo. previously....
11:39
This interview is so satisfying to watch. Kaline was already a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame at this point in his career, but this was his crowning moment. He’d waited 16 years to even get the chance to play in the World Series, and he absolutely seized the opportunity. A .379/.400/.655 slash line with 0.48 WPA and 9.18 cWPA would probably get him World Series MVP in most years.
But right there, we’re witnessing a legend complete his resume with that elusive championship ring. As a Yankee fan, it gives me chills.
Both pitchers pitched 9 innings and hit their spot in the order. That's the way the game was made to be played. Most teams had only 4-man starting pitching rotations, and let their pitchers go deep into games if it looked like they still had stuff. Denny McClain won 31 games that year. Today it's a miracle if a pitcher wins twenty, and lucky if he even gets 30 starts.
When men were men.
The culmination of my youth. I was 13 years old when The Tigers completed this remarkable comeback from being down 3 games to 1, to take the series 4-3. I had been following the Tigers since I was 6 years old. As a kid it seemed that the Tigers would never win the World Series. But in 1968, a year I still hold close to my heart, they did it, and set off a statewide celebration. Kaline Cash, Freehan, Stanley, Northrup, Horton, Wert, Mc Auliffe, Lolich, Mc Lain, Wilson, Dobson, Patterson and more. These were the heroes of my youth. I will never forget these guys, and the joy they brought to The City if Detroit, and the State of Michigan. “ GO GET EM TIGERS”.
Before there was Madison Bumgarner in 2014 vs the Royals, there was Mickey Lolich in 1968 vs the Cards. Phenomenal performance.
As a diehard Yankees fan, I love seeing my Yankees win titles all the time of course but this video is a delight to watch.
The last classic inning of Major League Baseball!
"Well thank you, Mickey, and have a nice quiet winter."
Detroit 🐯 world series champion
I missed this game as did most youths. Game seven of a World Series was not a good enough reason to miss school. Watched very brief highlights on national news that night and living in Houston meant not a lot of publicity considering it was game seven of the World Series and nothing else going on. Thanks for posting this, I’ve waited 56 years to enjoy this final inning.
Unbelievable how much better baseball was in the 60's and 70's. Games lasted 2 hours, Starters finished games, players played because they loved the game, stars remained loyal to their teams!! Bob Gibson anywhere but St. Louis? Al Kaline anywhere but Detroit? it truly was AMERICA's PASTIME.
No DH, in a close game mangers had to decide whether to pull a pitcher for a pinch hitter or let him finish the game. It was part of baseball.
No playoffs (til 1969), the team with the best record went to the World Series.
When I was in 5th grade we got to pull our desks out into the hallway at school and we got to watch the 68 world series. That's when I became a Tigers fan for life. I thank Westwood Elementary for having the opportunity to watch some of those great games.
Notice - the hitters don't back out of the box after every pitch...
Notice - Curt Gowdy and Co. do not hype upcoming TV shows...
A fan notices...MM
Kim Martin
Hey man just thank God we all got a chance to see real baseball
Pity the youngsters of today
Mark McCarty today's hitters suck compared to the Hitters from the 50s and the 60s. Also when that pinch-runner ran in they would have went to a commercial today. A Friend of mine knows somebody who has seats behind Home Plate at Yankee Stadium they go for $1,500 a seat to the average person that's insane. Another reason why I'm a New York Mets fan I hate the fucking Yankees. Steinbrenner ruined baseball.
They also didn’t take tons of pitches. Today everyone takes the first strike so they only have two strikes to play with.
That started with Mike Hargrove, "The Human Rain Delay." HE ALONE caused games to drag on.
This is a treat. DC suburbs here. 12 years old in '68. I admired Bob Gibson, had a "Stormin Norman" mitt. 2 great teams, and the St. L fans show real class with an ovation for good work by visiting pitcher, Micky Lolich. Great stuff. Cheers
In 1968 I was 14 years old and also living in the DC suburbs in Silver Spring, Maryland. At the time, I was going to Takoma Park junior high school, and as soon as school was over, I would hurry home to watch the World Series.
Back then, I was a huge fan of the Washington Senators, and my favorite player by far was Frank Howard. In 1969, the Senators hired Ted Williams to be their manager, and they finally had a winning team that year!!
I was in the 8th grade in the fall of '68 and I remember be in school the day this game was played. Nobody but nobody thought the Tigers had a chance of beating Gibson. After all he had those 17 K's in game one and was nearly unhittable in his next start. Back in the day of day baseball, wow, great memories.
So was I, went to St. Norbert school in Inkster, on Inkster Road South of Cherry Hill Rd.
I was just six at the time but i remember my dad watching it on tv and how my whole family loved the Tigers. I did go to Holy Redeemer High School later with Willie Horton's son Daryl, he would get dropped off to school in a limousine. The 70's Tigers were still good but would lose to the A's in the playoffs.
I was 7 years old in "68. My dad took me to my first ballgame that year. I improved my reading by laying on the living room floor reading the Detroit Free Press Sports section aloud to Mom and Dad. Bill Freehan was my hero. I probably didn't realize that that I was experiencing a victory for the ages back then. Watching these clips however, remind me of how lucky I am to say that I remember them. And I do, vividly.
What? A World Series ending under God's sunlight? Not at 1 a.m.???
I remember this game well. We all held our breath when the Cardinals came up in the 9 th inning..
ABoxOfBroken8Tracks I believe the first World Series night game was in 1971, but most of the games were still day games.
What? A World Series actually played in early October, with only two teams making the playoffs, in recognition of the 162-game season?
@@youbetcha6880 yep, the World Series actually finished on October 10.
@@youbetcha6880 before the broadcasting networks got hold of the game realizing more off-season games equal more money
thanks for posting, I was born in 71 and used to play a game called micro-league baseball 68 tigers were a team on that game, they were my favorite, now I can finally see the team I used to beat the teams my friends used to choose in head to head.
A great World Series and a great come back by the Tigers.
As a young boy...first series I followed....watched in school....great memories
Lolich ,what a stud ,he has the numbers to be in the hall of fame
There was so much about that game that reminds me why I used to love the game. The game moved very quickly. The lack of tv replays was something i didn’t miss. I liked listening to the game as it sounded like a radio broadcast with pictures. I loved seeing my favorite Tiger player Gates Brown in the locker room.
It is probably the nostalgia of seeing my childhood again but was it better then? Kaline, Horton, Freehan, Lolich. American League pitchers batting.
My family moved to Detroit the day this series ended. I remember asking my mother why all the car horns were blowing.
I only wish ESPN would have left the original score graphics in place. I don’t mind the old “chyron” look.
Lolich looks so cool...like he's just waiting for a bus.
Al Kaline compliments the Cardinals. Pure class.
Harry Carry and Ernie Harwell in the same broadcast. Classic.
I just posted on who were the announcers..omg a young Harry Carey..I knew it sounded like him
I was at Glen X's house -- we watched the whole series there because he had a color TV! We were juniors in high school and skipped school to watch the all the day games of that series. Mickey Lolich pitched that complete game on two days rest; nobody does that anymore! Thank god we didn't have to hear Harry Caray, though... we turned the sound down and listened to Ernie Harwell do the radio play by play. A couple weeks earrlier, Glen and I were at the second to the last regular season game at Tiger Stadium -- when they clinched the pennant. That was a wild, wild night! I still have a piece of forest green 2x4 from the Tiger stadium center field wall from that night. The fans all rushed the field after the game -- some kid had ripped it off the wall by the flagpole at the 440' marker and a cop grabbed him so he dropped it. I picked it up and took it home with us. I stapled my ticket stub to that board and still have it to this day. We headed for downtown and our bus got stuck in the traffic jams on Michigan Avenue, so we walked about two more miles down to the stadium at the corner of Michigan and Trumbull. People were just going nuts... solid car horns... people hugging each other... blacks hugging whites and whites hugging blacks... it was the best thing that could've happened to the city. Remember, this was only one year after the horrible 1967 Detroit riots, but for that brief period everybody forgot all about the racist shit and celebrated together. It was quite a sight to witness and to be part of. Won't ever forget that day.
agree. haray caray was annoying.
This Detroit team I was 13 years old my favorite team of all time I’ll never forget the joy of them winning against the Cardinals McLain winning 31 games And Mickey Waiting three games in the World Series
I can’t think of a single thing that’s better about baseball now than then...
I was 7 and remember coming home from school and watching the last few plays.
I clearly remember watching freehan catch the pop-up, but all these years later I always wondered if my memory was correct.
NOW I KNOW!
THANKS FOR THE VIDEO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1.67 ERA for Lolich in the series? Incredible. I watched the game at my school gym.....I was 8 years old and a serious Tiger fan.
Plus 3!!!!!!!!!!! Complete game wins ..... and hus 1 and only HR of his entire career
This is the first WS I watched in tv. Living in Toledo at the time, I was a big Tigers fan, Kaline being my favorite player. I was so glad they won, my all time favorite World Series. I noticed the games were a lot faster then, no pitch counts, and starters went the whole game a lot more. Thanks for this video.
Hi Dave. I am from Toledo..Tigers were THEE team
@@donbailey2765 Loved Micky Lolich, he was a gamer. Went to many games at Tiger Stadium with my dad and brother in the 60's and 70's. I haven't been back to Toledo since the early 90's, I hope to go back someday to visit. Graduated from the University of Toledo, I now live in Tacoma, Washington. Have a great day!
GO MUD HENS!!!
@@markw3598 Went to many Mud Hens games growing up. I saw a 7 inning perfect game, doubleheader games are 7 not 9 innings in the minors. This was in the early 70's, Joe Niekro pitching for the Mud Hens. They were playing in their stadium in Maumee at that time. Go Mud Hens!
The last inning of the last game of the last no doubt champions of each league.
Fitting that the Tigers should be the winners!
I remember my Dad talking about the 61 Tigers and how they came so close to the dance. Then he’d straighten up and talk about his World Champion 68 Tigers. When we didn’t have that much to talk about there was always baseball. He would toast the Tigers with a Strohs beer and said we’d love to eat some doughnuts at Mickey’s place. Bless you Dad, I love our baseball talk
I remember a brief news/sports story, maybe in the 1980's, about Mickey Lolich and his donut shop.
I would LOVE to see a World Series game played during the day... even better a twilight game, start time 4pm
Last one was 84. Geeezzz!
Actually, 1989 Game 3 started at 5:10 P.M., the same time as the earthquake.
No closers, complete games, no designated hitters...
No closers, complete games, no designated hitters...
Micky Lolich's pitching performance was the best pitching ever by a pitcher in a world series . His brilliant pitching winning 3 games and 3 complete games yet on a couple of days rest will never be seen in baseball again . His great effort no doubt won the Tigers the World Series . Lolich deserves to be in the HoF. ..He was masterful shutting down the mighty Cardinals I didn't see a relief pitcher taking warmups in the bullpen The Tigers began the year by winning so many games they were so far ahead of the next place team and stayed in 1st from day 1 to the world series Denny McCLain 's 31 wins in a season has never been broken in 56 years and will never be attained by a pitcher again
My favorite World Series. I became sentient as a sports fan that summer. God bless "the battery" ~Al-Kaline !
Those truly were the good old days!
This can be called the last World Series. Starting in 1969, the playoffs commercial corruption absolutely ruined the concept of championship baseball. Now we get night games in late October, early November - football weather - they call the World Series, and it rarely is a competition between two teams who were the best team in their league over 162 games.
yes, the team who wins the league should be in the world series, none of this bullshit wildcard crap...get rid of 8 teams, and go back to the same format as before 1968...two leagues, simple!
graciemaemarie11 jones The flip side of this argument is that in many years the season would be over in July. Let’s face it, if one team has a 15 game lead by the all star break, why bother to play out the rest of the season? The multi tier division format allows for much more exciting late season baseball. The numbers prove me right. Attendance is much higher today than in the “ good old days.”
That simply is not true. The MOST exciting thing that can happen in a season is when a team starts to go on a streak in September and actually comes from 10 or more games behind. Think of the 1969 Mets or the do or die games when two teams tie for the season as the Giants and Dodgers in 1951.
What a Debby downer. Shut up grandpa. October baseball is beautiful and the game today is beautiful. “The Last World Series” my ass. Why don’t you grow a pair and appreciate the best game that’s ever been invented in all eras.
Agree! Our 5th grade teacher brought in a t.v., and let us watch the last few innings! It was awesome!
RIP Bobby (my brother) ... A Tigers fan taken too soon but I was thinking of you today and watched this and hopefully somehow you were watching it with me. Tear'em up Tigers! Let's go!
The last pure World Series. American League champion vs. National League champion. NO playoff games leading into the World Series. Game played during the day. Complete games by Gibson and Lolitch! The game probably only took about 2 hours to play.
Yep, this is the 1st WS I remember really following and watching as an 8 year old, and I'm glad it was this last true year of old school baseball, no divisions, no playoffs, just the 2 winners of the old NL and AL just like it had been since 1903. I of course was not aware of all that at the time. I was actually a Twins fan growing up in Minnesota (about 5 miles from the old Met), and the Twins had lost the pennant on the last day of 67, and battled the Tigers all year for the 68 pennant. So I didn't like the Tigers, and rooted for the Cardinals, who I liked anyway as my NL team because I liked their red and white classic Birds on the Bat uniforms on my baseball cards of Gibson and Brock etc. Little did I know that I would move to StL in 75 and become a lifelong Cards fan.
I was in fifth grade. I still remember all of the players names. It was a great season with a magical end. Thanks for the memories. It was an age of innocence.
Baseball sure ain’t what it use to be
@Vic Marrotti what is gueer?
No doubt about that. The reason for the sport seems to have completely changed, as well as the technology. It was an American sport, and it feels it. Now, the media and athletes hate the USA, the salaries are astronomical, and the media bludgeons the senses with overload.
As other comments have noted, day games are so much better. Also, the announcers are better than what Fox does now: run Joe Buck out 20 years straight. And the game was faster.
@@arbogash1852 Baseball salaries have always been astronomical compared to the average person.
A salary of $70,000 in 1968 would be equal to more than $500,000 today.
$10 an hour in 1968 would be $75 today.
Like in 1964 people thought The Beatles had long hair.
Today it wouldn't be.
Yes. And all sports aint what it used to be...
No, it ain't.
I was 14 and remember this series very well. As a Tiger fan, I was in awe of the season that Gibson had and knew that the Tigers weakest link was their starting rotation. In fact, Tigers fans had a saying that described the Tiger's starters...."Lolich, McClain and pray for rain". Ultimately, though, McLain's arm was used up from winning 30 and Lolich that was the workhorse. Back when baseball was still a game.
ray oyler was one hell of a shortstop and one hell of a guy he worked at boeing for while after leaveing baseball just one of the guys, rest in peace ray
I saw Ray Oyler play minor league baseball in a Syracuse-Rochester game in 1963. The big question was his hitting, he was always a brilliant fielder. Nice to see he enjoy a share of the glory in 1968.
Watching this ninth inning, ... I am very glad that Mayo Smith moved Mickey Stanley to CF, so that fans could get a chance to see Ray Oyler's solid defensive skills at SS. I was too young to comprehend this game in 1968, ... but looking back at this World series, ... I am amazed at the ability of this Tiger team to repeatedly come back in the late innings of games throughout the long, hot summer of 1968. The disappointment of the way the 1967 A.L. Pennant race ended, ... obviously left a bad taste in the mouths of the players. And they seemed to know that the '68 season would end differently from Spring training onward through the All-star break.
Ray Oyler was a family friend and I really enjoyed watching him play. My folks best friends were Ray’s parents so they went to the Series sitting with the wives at the games. He was a sweet man and so humble. Those were exciting days!
@@kjsfl386 here a little late but Ray Oyler was my great grandfathers cousin (Howard Oyler) who also had an opportunity to play in the majors but chose to be an Air Force pilot in WWII i never find anyone with my last name and Ray is a story passed down through my family who are all baseball fans!
@@gavinoyler240 Ray was a gracious and funny man. I knew his daughters quite well and he had a nice family. Ray was a much underrated and unappreciated talent due to lackluster batting skills. But his glove? Golden!!!
Great hearing from you.
When you consider how hefty Lolich is, you realiz how strong Freehan was!
Why Mickey Lolich is not in Cooperstown is amazing.
One of my best summers in my life growing up in Detroit listening to every game on A.M. radio 😂
I remember this, I was in elementary school and kept telling anybody who would listen that my Tigers were going to comeback and win the series even when they were down 3-1. After the series this kid walks up to me on the schoolyard and says dude you were right we both just started laughing......this was the best!
Go Tigers!.....
To let students get home and watch the game Detroit School Superintendent Norman Drachler rescheduled a teacher's conference so we had a half day of school the day of game seven.
As a kid, in Detroit. The school let us watch some of the world series.
When they won, they had a parade for the team, and I was lucky enough to see them and cheer for them as they went by... great memories!
I wish they had the 2 announcers from both teams announce today like they did in the old days. Today's network announcers have no passion for the game.
Announcers today think they are the show, they think more talking is better. In these clips they only talk when nessecary
Another good point. Decades of the deadpanning boredom known as Joe Buck
@@arbogash1852 Curt Gowdy is right up there with him.
@@arbogash1852 cant stand that pos
We were all around the radio when this happened, work was done for the day! 3 of my heroes/ friends played in this and we all went nuts to see them win the series!!
2 days rest wow.
I was in the 5th grade in 1968, our teacher Mr Schmidt wheeled in a TV set & we watched most the game during class.
Awesome baseball....Not one mention on how many pitches Gibson or Lolich threw.
Love it!!.....ever since the incessant banter about how many pitches the starting pitcher threw that became "fashionable", the MLB game has become mediocre. This is how you announce a baseball game!!!! Take notes 21st century commentators.
I'm sure that the Romans didn't talk about how much lead was in their water pipes or makeup, and yet that also had health effects, never mind being a reasonable approximation of how tired a pitcher was getting (e.g. Pedro Martinez).
totally agreed. sabermetrics have literally made modern baseball unrecognizable.
Ahh when baseball was a classic game played by gentlemen athletes . Boy have things have changed not even baseball is the same .😊
rest in peace ray oyler one hell of a shortstop and a seattle pilot in 1969,
One of the greatest defensive shortstops in MLB history.
And do tell us his batting average for 1968!
@@yidiandianpang .135, he was 0 for August
also known as oil can harry
Pretty amazing that Mickey Stanley one of the best cf'ers in the majors was switched to SS fir the series.
This is the last World Series that I didn’t see. I was just 6 and probably playing with my Hot Wheels cars. I remember the 1969 Series (Mets vs. Orioles) and every one since then. Go Cubs!
A great finish to a great World Series, but can you imagine that Ken Burns' video "Baseball" made absolutely no mention of the Tigers' victory in the 1968 World Series? The Tigers were behind three games to one, but won three consecutive games to pull it out and win the World Series, but Ken Burns did not think it was worthy of mention.
Burn's series should have been titled the history of New York baseball. Many found the much of the series to be very insulting to the long histories of franchises and fan bases around the country.
Amy Dixon Amen!
1984's was better- slightly, but still better!
Jude Law ...hey jude....sorry but wrong...cards a better team and a great comeback....much better series
Burns series should have been titled "Integration of Baseball"
Master class of pitching by Lolich. He was the MVP and a great pitcher. Extremely underrated, he was as Maris said nasty. One of my heroes growing up
Roger Maris watched the last out of his career from the on deck circle.
... at least he didn't make the last out, he was probably relieved.
@@richardgoldman8761 ..How you know he wouldnt have hit a Home run??
My favorite player of all time.
I remember watching this game on tv.
Baseball no longer represents its true essence of the game
Thank you for the video
Great Come back by The Tigers 🐅 Lolich was Amazing 👏
I was 12 years old in 1968 playing in the Canadian Little League Championship tournament across the river in Windsor,it was a Sunday,our billets took us to Tiger Stadium that August day but sadly the Tigers were out of town,my billet purchased a Tiger's penant for me, I still have it 52 years later,a year after the Detroit riots,"The Motor City is Burning", I can't describe how empowered I felt that sunny hot day standing next to Tiger Stadium,in a dreamstate...1968,man I never came down off that one,The Detroit Tigers World Series Champs,Kurt Gowdy doin the games too,wow.Like the other comments here reveal,it was all baseball,all class,no one stepping out every pitch,fixing their batting gloves every pitch,that garbage should be outlawed and the Ken Burns baseball documentary snubbing the Tigers and all the stellar achievements of those great Tigers of 1968,well that is a big time disgrace for sure,them Tigers beat the powerhouse St Louis Cardinals,winners of the 1967 World Series from the previous year,they were our baseball heroes,us little guys idolized those men,the Cardinals and the Tigers alike,those were the days my friend...we thought they'd never end !!!