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The 1968 World Series:

A Great Fall Classic in the “Year of the Pitcher”!

With the Milwaukee Brewers ahead three games to one in the 2026 World Series, this is a good time to recall another memorable World Series in which one team (the Cardinals) at one point led their opponent (the Tigers) three games to one. The Tigers eventually won, four games to three, one of the greatest comebacks in World Series history.

The year was 1968, a season baseball historians remember as the “Year of the Pitcher.” And for good reason. Pitchers dominated the major leagues as never before in the modern era, and two of the era’s most outstanding hurlers were about to square off.

The Detroit Tigers, winners of 103 games and their first American League pennant since 1945, were led by Denny McLain, who had compiled an incredible 31-6 record, the first pitcher to win 30 games in a season since Dizzy Dean in 1934.

Meanwhile, the defending World Champion St. Louis Cardinals had a pitching sensation of their own: Bob Gibson. He had just completed one of the greatest seasons ever recorded by a major league pitcher, posting a 22-9 record with an almost unbelievable 1.12 ERA, 13 shutouts, and 268 strikeouts.

Bob Gibson Sets the Tone

The Series opened on October 2 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, with Gibson facing McLain in a much-anticipated pitching matchup. Gibson was virtually unhittable, striking out an incredible 17 Detroit batters, breaking Sandy Koufax’s previous World Series record of 15. The performance remains one of the most memorable in World Series history.

The Tigers bounced back in Game Two behind an unlikely hero, Mickey Lolich. Overshadowed by McLain during the regular season, Lolich pitched a complete-game 8-1 victory and even contributed a home run, the only one of his major league career.

The Cardinals won Game Three, 7-3, and then Gibson returned in Game Four to defeat McLain again, this time by a lopsided 10-1 score. With the Cardinals holding a commanding three-games-to-one advantage, it appeared that another St. Louis World Championship was in the offing. After all, only two teams in World Series history had ever overcome a 3-1 deficit.

The Tigers Refused to Quit!

Facing elimination in Game Five at Tiger Stadium, the Tigers again turned to Mickey Lolich. Things looked bleak when the Red Birds jumped to an early 3-0 lead. One of the game’s most memorable plays occurred in the fifth inning when Cardinals speedster Lou Brock attempted to score from second on Julian Javier’s single. Willie Horton delivered a perfect throw to catcher Bill Freehan, who tagged Brock out at home plate.

Detroit finally broke through for two runs in the fourth inning, and then came the decisive seventh. With the Tigers trailing 3-2, Al Kaline delivered a bases-loaded single that scored two runs and put Detroit ahead. The Tigers added another run and held on for a 5-3 victory.

In Game Six in St. Louis, McLain finally found his form. After losing twice to Gibson, the 31-game winner pitched a complete-game victory as the Tigers overwhelmed the Cardinals, 13-1. Suddenly, a Series that had seemed all but over was tied at three games apiece.

Game Seven: Lolich Versus Gibson

On October 10, 1968, the seventh game showdown slated Gibson vs. Lolich (pitching on two days’ rest). For six innings, neither allowed a run. Then came the seventh inning. With two outs and two on, Jim Northrup drove a long fly ball toward center field. Gold Glove outfielder Curt Flood initially broke in before realizing the ball was carrying over his head. He slipped while trying to recover, and the ball sailed past him for a two-run triple. Bill Freehan followed with a run-scoring double, and suddenly Detroit had a 3-0 lead. The Tigers added another run in the ninth, giving Lolich a four-run cushion.

The Cardinals managed a ninth-inning home run by Mike Shannon, but Lolich retired Tim McCarver on a foul popup to Freehan for the final out. Suddenly, the Detroit Tigers were World Champions!

One of our readers, Frank Alexander, was in attendance for Game Five and remembers the game fondly:

“My dad took me to see Game Five on October 7, 1968 for my 13th birthday present. Train trip from West Springfield, Mass.  to Detroit and back, a nice hotel room for two nights, and the game. My favorite pitcher threw Game Five: “Mr. Donut” himself, Mickey Lolich. He saved the Cats’ hash twice to help them win the Series. Dad was a rabid Cardinals fan while I lived for the Tigers. Best Series I ever saw – or heard.”

Mickey Lolich: The 1968 World Series MVP!

When the Series began, nearly all the attention had focused on Gibson and McLain. Few could have predicted that Mickey Lolich would emerge as its hero. Yet there he was, the winner of three complete games, including the decisive seventh game on only two days’ rest. And his three complete-game victories in a single World Series have never been duplicated.

A Championship That Meant More Than Baseball

The Tigers’ championship carried special significance for the city of Detroit. Only a year earlier, Detroit had experienced devastating civil unrest during the summer of 1967. The city was still struggling with the aftermath, and the Tigers’ remarkable season provided a welcome source of civic pride and unity.

The Tigers had captured their first World Championship in 23 years, overcoming one of baseball’s greatest pitchers and a seemingly insurmountable three-games-to-one deficit. The 1968 World Series also marked the end of an era. It was the last World Series played before baseball introduced divisional play and league championship series in 1969. The following season also brought a lower pitching mound, part of baseball’s effort to restore the balance between pitching and hitting.

More than half a century later, the 1968 World Series remains one of baseball’s great October dramas. And perhaps its greatest lesson is one we’ve seen repeated throughout baseball history: Never count out a team that refuses to quit!

Are the Milwaukee Brewers about to learn that lesson?? By the way, the Brewers are only the second team since 1968 to score 8+ runs in a single World Series inning …and they did it all with two outs!

Gary Livacari

Photo Credits: All found on Google search

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