Mike B October 19, 2011 Mickey Lolich did not want to come to the Mets. Koufax would have 175 by the All-Star Break. I looked him up in The Sports Encyclopedia 2002 and they have 6' and 210 lbs. A few more years as the ace of the Tigers staff probably would have landed him in the Hall of Fame. Mickey Lolich was the greatest left handed pitcher in the whole world to me in 1968, He was even greater than Denny. December 13, 2007 Other than some one saying he ate donuts rather than come back to NY, does anyone know the real reason why he didn't pitch in 77? What a sore disapppointment it was to see Staub take over rightfield (with his gnat's piss arm) after watching Kaline out in right all of those years in Detroit. He lost 39 games his last two seasons in Detroit, with an obese ERA both years. September 29, 2007 He started, completed, and won three games, allowing only 5 runs and 6 walks, while striking out 21, in 27 innings. I have to respectfully disagree with NYB Buff's claim that Lolich belongs in Cooperstown. Bartolo Colon etc). December 13, 2007 Mickey was a fantastic pitcher for the Tigers. Really? But what can you expect when the team only averaged 3.4 runs for Seaver per start and 3.3 for Lolich? In this World Series, Lolich pitched three complete games and allowed only five runs an ERA of 1.67. Lolich was a fine pitcher. Randy Tate Reading this brings back my memory of the trade that sent Rusty packing to Detroit. Mickey did a few good games with the Mets as well as a couple shutouts. He still knew how to pitch but had no run support to get him a winning record. My memory is that while the Mets' front office had made dumb and abysmal trades in the past, this was one that just made no sense in any way, shape, or form. As Sonny Jurgenson once said "you don't throw the ball with your stomach." Ramblin' Pete Maybe when he was 15 years old he was 170, but at no point in his major league career was he ever 170. He served up a home run, and my mother screamed "Lolich, you fat jerk, you stink!!!" Raymond Malcuit Jr. The fact that he pitched four consecutive 300+ inning years; that's like 10 years in today's game. Ok, the height is correct but make no mistake,a consistent, determined winner, Mickey Lolich was in the spotlight throughout his career. Mickey liked his doughnuts. September 29, 2007 April 6, 2012 I don't know, I'm not a Mets expert. pete I recall one year where he had 121 RBI's. Mickey was a fantastic pitcher for the Tigers. Staub a great fielder with a great arm? Rusty played another decade. GoMets2006 According to his profile above, his height and weight are listed as follows:Height: 6.01 Weight: 170170 pounds on a 6 ft. 1 in. Mickey Lolich did not pitch badly for the Mets in 1976. As for all the innings Lolich pitched in Detroit, in today's game 300 innings is comparable to two full seasons, what with pitch counts and constantly babying starting pitchers. Man, those pitches were big ones. I have to respectfully disagree with NYB Buff's claim that Lolich belongs in Cooperstown. There were some games where the Mets did not give him support. June 30, 2019 And of course Lolich did not want to be here, and the fans did not want him here either, so I am sure that's why he skipped town the next year. I guess the idea that everyone loves a jolly fat guy is true. The fact of the matter is New York is a what have you done for me lately kind of city, and when Lolich came to the Mets he pitched like a nobody. There were some games where the Mets did not give him support. Mickey Lolich was born on September 12, 1940, in Portland, OR. Maybe Rusty was not in his prime when the Tigers got him, but the man could still swing the bat. Having this claim (in addition to his World Series MVP) is definitely worthy of the Hall of Fame. I remember as a 11 year old when the Mets traded for him thinking "Great, we have Mickey Lolich! After one year in New York Lolich retired. Mickey was a great pitcher but was not happy in New York. Lolich was still productive but he was never accepted in New York because of whom he was traded for. LA-Mets We are going all the way!" I thought Rusty filled that uniform out pretty well himself! It would appear that the one party who was jobbed in the deal was Lolich himself. Having this claim (in addition to his World Series MVP) is definitely worthy of the Hall of Fame. 6'1", 170???? Mr. Sparkle His era of 3.22 is only .09% more than 20-game winner Carlton for the Phils. He was overweight and kind of babyfaced but I don't remember anyone being more focused or a battler. As somebody mentioned previously, this is really all Mike Vail's fault. Mickey was featured riding his motorcyle. November 12, 2006 My memory is that while the Mets' front office had made dumb and abysmal trades in the past, this was one that just made no sense in any way, shape, or form. Usually a bad trade doesn't reveal itself as bad until later when the player that came clearly is not working out. You can't be serious. April 30, 2009 Lolich finished his career 12th on the all-time strikeout list with 2,832, second only to Steve Carlton among left-handers. In his first full season 1964, Mickey Lolich went 18-9 an ERA of 3.26. September 25, 2013 Within a year, the corpulent Lolich had retired to open a doughnut shop in suburban Detroit. body would be a pretty slender person. I agree with Doughnut Shoppe patron. Take a look at his stats on baseball-reference and you will shake your head. Maybe when he was 15 years old he was 170, but at no point in his major league career was he ever 170. Lolich was a good one, underrated and dominating at times. Mickey Lolich did not pitch badly for the Mets in 1976. June 30, 2019 June 30, 2019 May 9, 2002 Having this claim (in addition to his World Series MVP) is definitely worthy of the Hall of Fame. How Mickey still had an arm when he pitched for us is amazing. October 19, 2011 Lolich pitched fairly well with the Mets, in fact I recall a 2-0 shutout at Shea he pitched against the Cardinals in about two hours. Grant was a real hindrance to the Mets. What an interesting parallel, huh? According to his profile above, his height and weight are listed as follows:Height: 6.01 Weight: 170170 pounds on a 6 ft. 1 in. August 7, 2018 to realizing he was one of the worst trades in Mets history, before Seaver went to the Reds. Only two others, Steve Carlton and Randy Johnson, have surpassed him. October 19, 2011 senor ortiz There were some games where the Mets did not give him support. October 18, 2008 October 19, 2011 January 12, 2011 Two quick points that haven't been mentioned:- It was Mike Vail's fantastic debut that led the Mets to believe they had a replacement for Staub. When he was with the Mets, I gave him the name "TOO MUCH EATER" but then again the Orange and Blue has always had big boned hurlers (El Sid. Shickhaus Franks Lolich struck out more American League hitters than any other lefty in the history of baseball- that includes Randy Johnson, etc. All of you New Yorkers are forgetting how the Tigers fared in this deal of Staub/Lolich. Bartolo Colon etc). As somebody mentioned previously, this is really all Mike Vail's fault. HmmBaseball Reference.com is usually beyond redoubt, but I would say with almost unimpeachable certainty that Mickey Lolich weighed somewhere in the vicinity of 240 by the time he was huffing and puffing his way up the pitchers mound at Shea in 1976.Another awful trade, courtesy of M. Donald Grant, who couldn't wait to run Rusty Staub (coming off a team-record setting 105 RBI season) out of town, weeks after Mrs. Payson passed away. October 2, 2005 John Bruce GoMets2006 Raymond Malcuit John, we know the condition the team was in when Lolich got here. Peter Ramblin' Pete 3.50 was more of a mediocre E.R.A in those days.About his profile of 6'1" and 170 lbs., I looked him up in the Baseball Encyclopedia and that's what they have. 170 pounds, maybe not but here's a fact: hurled 376 innings in the early 70's. Ok, the height is correct but make no mistake,a consistent, determined winner, Mickey Lolich was in the spotlight throughout his career. McLain got all the publicity but Lolich got the wins in post season 1968. Mickey loved his Harley. April 27, 2013 Raymond Malcuit I guess the idea that everyone loves a jolly fat guy is true. That does not prevent Lolich from cherishing his memories. He normally threw lots of pitches and completed a high percentage of his games. Jay In his first full season 1964, Mickey Lolich went 18-9 an ERA of 3.26. In that same year he went 13, 13, 12, 11 and 10 innings in 5 games. As for his love of donuts, he could have been the prototype for Homer Simpson. I remember as a 11 year old when the Mets traded for him thinking "Great, we have Mickey Lolich! His not being elected to Cooperstown is a major oversight. I'll start with full disclosure: I was (and still am) bitter that the Mets gave up one of my favorite players, Rusty Staub, to get Lolich-- who was well past his prime. I have to respectfully disagree with NYB Buff's claim that Lolich belongs in Cooperstown. Only two others, Steve Carlton and Randy Johnson, have surpassed him. Only two others, Steve Carlton and Randy Johnson, have surpassed him. He may have left behind a fine legacy in Detroit but when he got to New York he stunk.You weren't happy with Rusty and we weren't happy with Lolich, so let's just call the trade a wash. Case closed. Man, he was a big one. Did you boo him or make fun out of him? Then they all got old and the team slid into rebuilding- different than the Mets? There were some games where the Mets did not give him support. Robert June 30, 2019 So he went from being the long-time Tiger Ace (and best Tiger- the 1968 World Series was won by him- and also almost the 1972 Playoffs) to just a nobody for New York- can you blame him for this back-stabbing trade by Tiger management? September 25, 2013 I was 7 years old, listening to the Mets on the radio in the car with my mother. Let me say that again, 376 and that's without a pitch count. Take a look at his stats on baseball-reference and you will shake your head. Dianna Jeanneh Jones Believe me if he pitched like the ace he was in Detroit no one here would have been so quick to criticize the trade. Having this claim (in addition to his World Series MVP) is definitely worthy of the Hall of Fame. Mickey Lolich was a great pitcher in the American League. He still knew how to pitch but had no run support to get him a winning record. He says he has only one regret over his abbreviated football career"I wish I'd made more money. McLain got all the publicity but Lolich got the wins in post season 1968. The last thing the Tigers needed was a dandy hitter whose hitting only went to support lopsided slugfest losses every day. May 25, 2001 Really? He pitched over 300 innings for 4 years in a row, coming close to 400 one year. October 13, 2008 John Bruce Check out our mickey lolich selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. A Staub-Kingman combo would have provided more run support for big three, and probably a 90+ win season. He learned to pitch lefty in order to strengthen his left hand and arm after he lost the use of his right hand for a few years as a child. Maybe Rusty was not in his prime when the Tigers got him, but the man could still swing the bat. pete Reading this brings back my memory of the trade that sent Rusty packing to Detroit. These kit cottages were sold by Lake Orion Lumber. Lolich may have gone 8-13 in 1976 but Koosman did even worse the next two years (1977 and 1978). Not to say the trade wasn't awful - but come on! But what can you expect when the team only averaged 3.4 runs for Seaver per start and 3.3 for Lolich? McLain got all the publicity but Lolich got the wins in post season 1968. I looked him up in The Sports Encyclopedia 2002 and they have 6' and 210 lbs. The fact of the matter is New York is a what have you done for me lately kind of city, and when Lolich came to the Mets he pitched like a nobody. 3.50 was more of a mediocre E.R.A in those days.About his profile of 6'1" and 170 lbs., I looked him up in the Baseball Encyclopedia and that's what they have. Lolich may be a legend in Detroit based on his 1968 World Series performance, but he was at the end of his career by 1976. Really? I'm still not clear - he traded Mickey Lolich to improve team speed? Lolich was a good one, underrated and dominating at times. The plan was apparently: Vail LF/RF, Kingman LF/RF/1B, Milner, LF/RF/1B for those three spots. Donut Shoppe Patron When he was with the Mets, I gave him the name "TOO MUCH EATER" but then again the Orange and Blue has always had big boned hurlers (El Sid. Mickey Lolich Position: Pitcher Bats: Both Throws: Left 6-1 , 170lb (185cm, 77kg) Born: September 12, 1940 (Age: 82-115d) in Portland, OR us More bio, uniform, draft, salary info 3x All-Star 1968 World Series WS MVP 29 29 29 Become a Stathead & surf this site ad-free. Raymond Malcuit Jr. Lolich pitched fairly well with the Mets, in fact I recall a 2-0 shutout at Shea he pitched against the Cardinals in about two hours. May 24, 2002 170 lbs.? 170 pounds, maybe not but here's a fact: hurled 376 innings in the early 70's. As for all the innings Lolich pitched in Detroit, in today's game 300 innings is comparable to two full seasons, what with pitch counts and constantly babying starting pitchers. Mickey Lolich did not do too bad with the Mets, He just did not get the December 8, 2006 Five years before he became a Met, Lolich threw for 376 innings! Or even a platoon as Vail was righty, and Milner was lefty.In the days of 4-man rotation, Seaver-Koosman-Matlack had them covered 75% of the time. As Sonny Jurgenson once said "you don't throw the ball with your stomach." Ramblin' Pete Grant was a real hindrance to the Mets. =Chuck= His era of 3.22 is only .09% more than 20-game winner Carlton for the Phils. Lolich was still productive but he was never accepted in New York because of whom he was traded for. Two quick points that haven't been mentioned:- It was Mike Vail's fantastic debut that led the Mets to believe they had a replacement for Staub. I guess the idea that everyone loves a jolly fat guy is true. Bob P Mickey Lolich did not pitch badly for the Mets in 1976. He had terrific stuff. The Lolich for Rusty Staub trade might be the first and only trade where two players who were well known for food establishments were traded for each other. Lolich pitched fairly well with the Mets, in fact I recall a 2-0 shutout at Shea he pitched against the Cardinals in about two hours. But football wasn't real." Too bad we waited until '76 to bring him in, although his numbers indicated a lack of run support. Then Vail hurt his ankle playing Basketball and he was never the same. You can't be serious. (With three lefties and a Seaver, the Mets were lefty killers) But the Mets needed hitting. Peter Mickey Lolich was a great pitcher in the American League. NO WAY he was 170 pounds. Raymond Malcuit He was born on September 12, 1940 and his birthplace is Portland, OR. I remember when M. Donald Grant traded Staub for Lolich he explained it to disgusted NY sports fans by saying something like "the team needs more speed. He was a big (emphasis: BIG) bust in New York. October 4, 2006 I still remember the Mets broadcast team trying to build him up in the eyes of the fans because he had been a Cy Young award winner. Mr. Sparkle He was a big (emphasis: BIG) bust in New York. Staub was one of our heroes and for the Mets to trade him for a guy that owned and operated (and apparently ate often at) donut shops in the off season was gut wrenching. October 18, 2008 What a sore disapppointment it was to see Staub take over rightfield (with his gnat's piss arm) after watching Kaline out in right all of those years in Detroit. April 23, 2003 He told the New York Press, he pitched with his head and arm not his abdomen. My memory is that while the Mets' front office had made dumb and abysmal trades in the past, this was one that just made no sense in any way, shape, or form. He had terrific stuff. Within a year, the corpulent Lolich had retired to open a doughnut shop in suburban Detroit. Cut him some slack. They were starting their descent into oblivion and the Staub trade was step in that direction. Three bad starts on 8/3 and 8/13 as well as his next to last start on 9/15 is what really bloated his ERA, not that 3.22 even in the '70s was that shabby.Yes, he was far removed from his prime but to say he sucked is pretty short sighted and flies in the face of the fact that he pitched well enough to be a 12-15 game winner, but then this is the same year Seaver pitched Cy Young caliber ball and went only 14-11. Bobster1985 He was my dad's favorite Met, though, I think because here was a gut with a gut as big as my dad's who was out there flinging baseballs for money. In that same year he went 13, 13, 12, 11 and 10 innings in 5 games. But this one defied all logic from the beginning. snook (And of course Donald Grant) The Mets had to fill 2 corner outfield spots and first base. 216 Mickey Lolich Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images FILTERS CREATIVE EDITORIAL VIDEO All Sports Entertainment News Archival Browse 216 mickey lolich stock photos and images available or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. He also hit a home run in Game Two of the Series and outpitched Denny "31 Win" McClain in the Series. How the Mets have fared in the games that count the most! Lolich committed to playing 2 years for the Mets, but then reneged on that promise. Cut him some slack. How Mickey still had an arm when he pitched for us is amazing. How Mickey still had an arm when he pitched for us is amazing. As far as who got the better of the Staub for Lolich deal: Rusty went on to have several excellent seasons in a Tiger uniform. Bartolo Colon etc). Raymond Malcuit Jr. Reading this brings back my memory of the trade that sent Rusty packing to Detroit. The last thing the Tigers needed was a dandy hitter whose hitting only went to support lopsided slugfest losses every day. July 15, 2016 What a sore disapppointment it was to see Staub take over rightfield (with his gnat's piss arm) after watching Kaline out in right all of those years in Detroit. Mickey was finished and Rusty still had about 8-10 years left, even though the last couple were solely as a pinch hitter. If he had finished his career in Detroit, he probably would have been elected to the Hall Of Fame, with perhaps two more seasons of 15 wins. Lolich was a newcomer that was a big loser, and he reminded us of how stupid the Mets management was for always going after fading superstars. (thankfully returning in '81). Mickey was at the tail end of his career when he came to the Mets. No contest. 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