Reflections on the 1968 World Series

The 1968 World Series ended when Detroit Tigers’ catcher Bill Freehan caught a foul pop off the bat of his “opposite number,” St. Louis Cardinals’ catcher Tim McCarver.

At the immediate moment, being a National League rooter, and probably having lost a quarter or two, I was somewhat sad, but upon reflection I am so glad Detroit won.

The “good for the good” is that the city, so hurt by riots the year before came together for the Tigers. Additionally, a great player, the Tigers’ Al Kaline played great and was on a World Series winner for the only time in his great career.

Mickey Lolich was the star of that World Series, winning 3 games and Dennis Mc Lain, a 31 game winner in 1968 and the only hurler to win as many as 30 games in 81 years and counting, won the other game.

The “bad to the so called bad” is a bit more complicated. The Cardinals of (1963-1968) were an excellent team that won three pennants and two World Series. Had they won a third world Series in that span, which they nearly did in 1968, dissipating a (3-1) series lead, their place in history would have been much higher, increasing the already overstuffed ego of the “last out maker,” Tim McCarver.

EPSON MFP image