There was a man on base and that dinger gave them the lead which they held on to win, setting up his showdown with Bob Gibson in deciding game #7. You couldn't write a movie script for a mediocre pitcher doing that and facing down the guy who was probably the best pitcher in the game at that time for his 3rd win and Series MVP.
Lolich had a .110 career batting average and, as I pointed out, not another homerun in his mediocre 13 years as a MLB player.
Lolich's other records and accomplishments[edit]
- His 2,679 strikeouts is the second-most in AL history by a left-hander.
- His 2,832 career strikeouts in both leagues ranked in the top 10 in major league history when he retired in 1979.
- His 1,538 batters faced in 1971 was the most in the majors since George Uhle faced 1,548 in 1923. Only two other pitchers have faced at least 1,500 hitters since 1923, Wilbur Wood with 1,531 in 1973 and Bob Feller with 1,512 in 1946.
- His 376 innings pitched in 1971 is the second highest in the majors since 1917. Wilbur Wood holds the modern record with 376⅔ just a year later, 1972. Only four have pitched 350 or more innings in a season since 1929: Wilbur Wood (1972 & 1973), Lolich (1971), Bob Feller (1946) and Tiger forerunner Dizzy Trout (1944).
- His 29 complete games in 1971 was the highest in the AL since Bob Feller's 36 in 1946.
- In the 1965-74 decade, he struck out more (2,245) than any other major league pitcher. Bob Gibson was second with 2,117 during the same period.
- In the same decade, he was second in major league innings pitched (2,744⅔) to Gaylord Perry's 2,978.
- In the same decade, he had more wins (172) than any other AL pitcher. Gaylord Perry led the majors with 182.
- In the same decade, he threw more complete games (155) than any other AL hurler. Gaylord Perry led the majors with 205.
- He is the only left-hander with three complete World Series games in the same Series.
Pitchers were expected to throw a lot more innings back in those days....
