1968 Tigers Tribute Site

October 9, 1968 at Busch Stadium
Tigers 13, Cardinals 1
Best of Seven Game Series Tied 3-3

The 1968 World Series moved back to St. Louis and the Tigers showed up like they did in game two, the last time a game was played at Busch Stadium.  The Tigers scored enough runs to put this one away with two in the second but the ten they scored in the third frame turned this game into a big time blowout.  In the process, the Tigers forced a pivotal winner take all game seven.

It was Denny McLain going up against Ray Washburn and the 31 win variety of McLain showed up.  The Tigers first got to Washburn in the second inning.  Norm Cash led off with a walk and he scored on Willie Horton’s double.  An out later, Horton scored on Bill Freehan’s single to left.  The inning could have been worse because with two men on, Denny McLain grounded into a double play to end the inning.

The third inning was one for the record books.  The Tigers picked up ten runs on seven hits against four different pitchers.  Dick McAuliffe led off with a walk and he moved to second on Mickey Stanley’s single.  McAuliffe scored on Al Kaline’s single before Larry Jaster came in to relieve Washburn.  Norm Cash singled home Stanley and Willie Horton walked to load up the bases before Jim Northrup came through with one of his trademark grand slams to open the game up.  Ron Willis came in to pitch for Jaster but still the Tigers weren’t done.  Bill Freehan walked and Don Wert was hit by a pitch before Denny McLain moved them both over with a bunt, the first out of the inning.  Dick McAuliffe was given a free pass before Mickey Stanley forced out Bill Freehan at the plate to make it two outs.  Still, Al Kaline picked up his second hit of the inning with a two run single before Dick Hughes came in to replace Willis.  Norm Cash singled home Stanley and Willie Horton singled home Kaline to put the tally at ten runs in the inning.  Finally, Jim Northrup flied out to left to end the inning.

Al Kaline belted a solo homer in the fifth to further pad the lead.  The Cardinals finally got to McLain in the ninth when Julian Javier singled home Roger Maris with two outs.

McLain finished with his first and only win of the series.  He gave up one run on nine hits without a walk and he struck out seven in the complete game.  Al Kaline and Norm Cash both had three hits and Kaline and Northrup both drove in four runs.  The only Tiger starter to not reach base at least once was Denny McLain, who struck out in four at bats.

October 6, 1968 at Tiger Stadium
Cardinals 10, Tigers 1
Cardinals Lead Best of Seven Game Series 3-1

This game went south in a hurry and with it, the Tigers chances in the 1968 World Series looked grim.  Denny McLain, the Tigers ace all season, couldn’t even last through the end of the third inning and while Bob Gibson wasn’t nearly as good as in game one, he did give up just one run on five hits with ten strikeouts.

The Cardinals didn’t wait long to put runs on the board because Lou Brock led off the game with a solo homer.  Roger Maris reached base with one out in the inning on an error by Norm Cash before Orlando Cepeda struck out.  Tim McCarver kept the inning going with a single and then Mike Shannon drove home Maris with a single to make it 2-0 Cardinals before the Tigers even took their first turn at bat.

McLain put the Cardinals down in order in the second but it was more trouble in the third.  Curt Flood led off with a single and while it looked like he’d get out of the inning unscathed after he got Maris to line out to center and Cepeda to pop out to first, Tim McCarver struck again with a triple to make it 3-0.  Mike Shannon followed that up with a double which made it 4-0 and then Julian Javier drew a walk before the rain hit.  After a 1:14 rain delay, Joe Sparma took the mound in place of McLain and he got Dal Maxvill to ground out to end the inning.

Joe Sparma didn’t last long though.  In the sixth, Bob Gibson led off with a homer and Lou Brock followed that up with a triple.  Daryl Patterson came in to try to stop the bleeding and while he got Curt Flood to fly out for out number one, Brock scampered home on Roger Maris’ ground out to make it 6-0.

The Tigers finally got on the board in the bottom of the fourth inning although it was hardly a rally.  Jim Northrup took Bob Gibson deep with a solo homer.  That was sandwiched between strikeouts by Willie Horton and Bill Freehan.

John Hiller was bombed in the eighth inning to the turn of four runs on two hits and an error.  The big hit was a bases loaded clearing double by Lou Brock and that made it 10-1.

Al Kaline was the only hitter who figured out Gibson and he singled and doubled.  The only other Tiger to reach base more then once was Eddie Mathews, who singled and drew a walk.  Bill Freehan had a particularly tough game and he struck out in each of three plate appearances.

With the loss, the Tigers backs were against the wall.  They now needed three consecutive wins to lock up their first World Series win since 1945.

October 2, 1968 at Busch Stadium
Cardinals 4, Tigers 0
Cardinals Lead Best of Seven Game Series 1-0

The Tigers ran into a buzz saw in game one of the 1968 World Series and the end result was a game one loss.  Bob Gibson struck out a World Series record seventeen batters as he was the star of game one with a five hit shutout.  The Tigers had almost as many errors (3) as they did hits in this one and a mediocre start by Denny McLain meant little because he would have had to have been perfect for the Tigers to walk away with this one. 

The Cardinals got on the board in the fourth inning with three runs.  Roger Maris led off with a walk before Orlando Cepeda popped out to Norm Cash.  Tim McCarver drew a walk and then Mike Shannon drove in Maris with an RBI single.  McCarver moved to third and Shannon moved to second on the play after an error by Willie Horton and then Julian Javier singled them both home to make it 3-0 Cardinals.

The Tigers only real threat came in the sixth inning.  Dick McAuliffe singled and then moved to third on a two out double by Al Kaline but Norm Cash struck out to end the inning.  The Cardinals added a run in the seventh off of Pat Dobson when Lou Brock belted a solo homer but the insurance was unneccesary.

Mickey Stanley was the lone Tiger to reach base more then once with a pair of singles.  Kaline’s double was the lone extra base hit but even he had a tough day with three strikeouts. 

September 28, 1968 at Tiger Stadium
Senators 2, Tigers 1  (103-58)

Denny McLain failed to pick up his 32nd win of the season despite seven shutout innings as the Tigers dropped their second straight game.  McLain gave up just two hits, gave up no walks and struck out four.  Don McMahon gave up a pair in the ninth and he took the loss and fell to 5-2.

McLain helped out his own cause with a pair of singles.  Mickey Stanley singled and drove in the lone run while Bill Freehan drew a walk and scored.

September 23, 1968 at Memorial Stadium
Orioles 2, Tigers 1  (101-56)

The Tigers failed to set their new franchise win record for the second straight day and Denny McLain lost his sixth game of the season.  Blame the offense on this one though because McLain definitely threw a good enough game.  He gave up just two runs (one earned) on five hits and five walks with four strikeouts in seven innings.  The loss dropped his record to 31-6.

Gates Brown went two for three with a double.  Don Wert singled and he scored the lone Tigers run.

September 19, 1968 at Tiger Stadium
Tigers 6, Yankees 2  (99-54)

It’s funny how this Denny McLain win is almost more memorable then his 30th.  With the pennant and the game firmly in hand, McLain grooved a pitch to Mickey Mantle in the eighth inning to give him a nice send off in what was his final at bat at the ballpark.  The end result was Mantle’s 535rd career homer.  Still McLain threw a nice game and he improved to 31-5.  He gave up two runs on eight hits and three walks with seven strikeouts.

Norm Cash belted two homers and drove in three in the win.  He finished a perfect three for three with a walk.

This game was also significant because it was the first big league start at shortstop by Mickey Stanley.  With a loaded outfield and a lack of hitting at shortstop, Mayo Smith took the chance of a position move for Stanley and this game was the beginning of his warm up at the position heading into the World Series.

September 14, 1968 at Tiger Stadium
Tigers 5, Athletics 4  (95-54)

Denny McLain needed some ninth inning heroics but the end result was his historic 30th win of the season.  With the A’s up 4-3, the Tigers picked up two runs in the ninth to win it.  Al Kaline came home on a fielder’s choice by Jim Northrup and then Willie Horton singled home Mickey Stanley for the game winner.  McLain improved to 30-5 and he gave up four runs on six hits and one walk with ten strikeouts.

Norm Cash was the hitting star.  He went two for four with a homerun and three RBIs.  The homer was his 21st of the season.

September 10, 1968 at Anaheim Stadium
Tigers 7, Angels 2  (92-54)

Denny McLain improved to 29-5 and he was now one away from the magical 30 win mark.  He gave up two runs on nine hits and a walk with twelve strikeouts in another complete game.

Jim Northrup doubled twice, scored a run and drove in one.  McLain helped out his own cause with a team high three hits and he tripled, drove in two and scored a run.

September 6, 1968 at Tiger Stadium
Tigers 8, Twins 3  (90-52)

Denny McLain marched closer to his 30th win of the season and while it wasn’t his best start, it was good enough because the Tigers gave him plenty of offense.  He gave up three runs on nine hits and one walk with twelve strikeouts in the complete game win.  His record was 28-5 after the impressive outing.

Willie Horton had a monster day at the plate.  He went two for four with his 32nd homerun and five RBIs.  Mickey Stanley had a pair of singles and he scored two runs.

September 1, 1968 at Tiger Stadium
Tigers 7, Orioles 3  (86-51)

The Tigers entered the final month of their historic and took care of business behind another solid start by Denny McLain.  He improved to 27-5 and he gave up three runs on seven hits and two walks with nine strikeouts.  McLain not only had to contend with a 43 minute rain delay that put off the start of the game, but he also had to deal with a 51 minute delay after the Tigers hit in the bottom of the first inning.

Jim Northrup had a big game and he went three for five with a homerun, three RBIs and two runs.  Mickey Stanley also had three hits to go along with run and RBI while Dick McAuliffe went one for three with two walks and three runs.

August 28, 1968 at Tiger Stadium
Tigers 6, Angels 1  (83-50)

Denny McLain followed up his two consecutive losses with his 26th win as the Tigers took care of the Angels in their series opener.  McLain gave up one run on six hits and two walks with eleven strikeouts in yet another complete game.

Jim Northrup had a big day at the plate. He went three for four with a homerun, three RBIs and two runs.  Bill Freehan hit his 20th homer of the season and Willie Horton went three for four with two runs.

August 24, 1968 at Yankee Stadium
Yankees 2, Tigers 1  (81-47)

For the first time all season, Denny McLain dropped consecutive decisions although this one was hardly his fault.  He fell to 25-5 and he gave up two runs on five hits with six strikeouts in seven solid innings.

The Tigers were held to a mere four hits in the contest.  One of those hits was a solo homer by Willie Horton, his 30th of the season.

August 20, 1968 at Tiger Stadium
Tigers 7, White Sox 0  (79-44)

John Hiller gave up a leadoff single in the top of the fifth inning and that was the lone hit against him in an incredible one hit shutout.  He walked two, struck out seven and improved to 6-3 as the Tigers took the opener in both their series with the White Sox and their doubleheaderr.

Gates Brown got a rare start in left field and he made the most of it.  He went two for three with a homerun and two RBIs.  Mickey Stanley went two for four with two RBIs and a run.

August 20, 1968 at Tiger Stadium
White Sox 10, Tigers 2  (79-45)

Denny McLain fell to 25-4 with a rough outing as the Tigers failed to sweep the White Sox in their twin bill.  McLain gave up nine runs but just two them were earned as a result of four Tiger errors.  He gave up nine hits and two walks with three strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.

Willie Horton was the hitting star in the loss.  He went two for four with a double and an RBI.

August 16, 1968 at Fenway Park
Tigers 4, Red Sox 0  (77-43)

Denny McLain put on another pitching show as he won his 25th game of the season.  He gave up just seven hits and a walk with nine strikeouts in his shutout win.  It was his sixth straight complete game and his sixth shutout of the season.

Dick McAuliffe was the hitting star in the win. He doubled, tripled and scored two runs.  Al Kaline belted a two run homer and he drew two free passes in the win.

August 12, 1968 at Cleveland Stadium
Tigers 6, Indians 3  (75-42)

Denny McLain improved to 24-3 with his fifth straight complete game.  In this one, he gave up three runs on five hits and a walk with five strikeouts although two of the five hits he gave up left the park.

Norm Cash homered and drove in a pair in the win.  Mickey Stanley went one of three with two RBIs and a run.

August 8, 1968 at Tiger Stadium
Tigers 13, Indians 1  (71-41)

The Tigers wrapped up a four game sweep with a beatdown over the Indians in their series finale.  Bill Freehan was one of several hitting stars and he homered twice and drove in four.  Denny McLain also helped out his own cause with a double, a run and an RBI.

McLain coasted to an easy win and he improved to 23-3.  He gave up one run on six hits and three walks with two strikeouts in another complete game win.

August 4, 1968 at Metropolitan Stadium
Tigers 2, Twins 1  (67-41)

The Tigers jumped on Denny McLain’s back once again and he led the team to a win in their rubber with the Twins.  McLain improved to 22-3 and he gave up just one unearned run on five hits and four walks with four strikeouts in another complete game.

Mickey Stanley was the hitting star with a triple, a single and a run.  Dick McAuliffe also tripled and he scored the other Tiger run.

July 31, 1968 at Tiger Stadium
Tigers 4, Senators 0  (65-39)

Denny McLain threw his second straight shutout and picked up his 21st win of the season as the Tigers kicked off their series against the Senators with a win.  McLain gave up just four hits and a walk with nine strikeouts.

Dick McAuliffe was the hitting star in the win.  He was a perfect four for four with two doubles, a solo homer, and he scored all four Tigers runs.

July 27, 1968 at Memorial Stadium
Tigers 9, Orioles 0  (63-37)

Tiger stars Willie Horton and Denny McLain shined as the team won for the 63rd time at the 100 game mark today.  McLain improved to 20-3 with an impressive three hit shutout.  He walked two and struck out seven and with 20 out of the way, McLain had his eyes set on 30 wins with over two months left in the season.

Willie Horton homered twice and drove in four.  The two long balls brought his season total up to 25 on the season.  Dick McAuliffe, Don Wert and Al Kaline all went yard as well while Norm Cash went four for five with two doubles and two runs.

July 23, 1968 at D.C. Stadium
Tigers 6, Senators 4  (60-36)

The Tigers took game one of their series with the Senators with another dramatic comeback.  Down 4-3 in the eighth inning, Jim Price singled home Al Kaline to tie the game up and then Gates Brown singled home Bill Freehan for the game winner.  Jim Northrup doubled home Al Kaline in the ninth for some insurance that the Tigers didn’t need.  Speaking of Kaline, he was a perfect two for two with three walks, two runs and two RBIs.

Denny McLain improved to 19-3 despite a mediocre start.  He gave up four runs on eight hits and four walks with seven strikeouts in seven innings.  Jon Warden threw the final 1 2/3 innings and he picked up his third save of the season.

July 20, 1968 at Tiger Stadium
Orioles 5, Tigers 3  (59-34)

Denny McLain lost just his third decision of the season and had his shortest start as the Orioles evened their series with the Tigers.  McLain fell to 18-3 and he gave up five runs on six hits and three walks with four strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings.

Mickey Stanley was the hitting star in the loss.  He went two for four with a double, two RBIs and a run.

July 16, 1968 at Anaheim Stadium
Tigers 4, Angels 0  (57-32)

Denny McLain did it again.  He not only helped the Tigers avoid a sweep at the hands of the Angels, but he also helped them snap a three game losing streak.  McLain improved to 18-2 and he gave up just eight hits with eight strikeouts in the complete game shutout.

Al Kaline had just one hit in four at bats but it was a solo homer.  Tom Matchick finished two for four and he drove in a run.

July 7, 1968 at Tiger Stadium
Tigers 5, Athletics 4  (54-28)

Willie Horton belted a walk off solo homer as the Tigers bounced back and beat the A’s in the first game of their doubleheader.  Dick McAuliffe was also one of the hitting stars and he went two for four with a solo homer and two runs. 

Denny McLain got it done again.  He improved to 16-2 and he gave up four runs on five hits and a walk with nine strikeouts in another complete game.

July 7, 1968 at Tiger Stadium
Tigers 7, Athletics 6  (55-28)

The Tigers held on to beat the Athletics and they completed a sweep over the team in their doubleheader.  The Tigers jumped out to a 7-2 lead in the seventh but the A’s chipped away at the deficit and while they made it a one run game, Mickey Lolich was able to strikeout the final batter with a runner on to end the game.  For Lolich, it was his first save of the season (check career marks).

Al Kaline was back and he hit his fourth homer of the season.  Dick McAuliffe doubled twice, scored a run and drove in one.  This was the Tigers last game as they headed into the All Star Break for some much needed rest.

July 3, 1968 at Tiger Stadium
Tigers 5, Angels 2  (51-27)

The Tigers remained perfect in the month of the June and they won their third game behind a trio of homeruns.  Norm Cash belted two run shot while both Dick Tracewski and Willie Horton went yard with nobody on base.  For Horton, it was his ninteenth of the season and Bill Freehan pitched in with a double, two singles and an RBI.

Denny McLain improved to 15-2 on the season with another nice start.  He gave up two runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks with ten strikeouts in the complete game win.

June 29, 1968 at Tiger Stadium
Tigers 5, White Sox 2 (48-26)

The Tigers won their fifth straight game and once again, it was Denny McLain who pitched the Tigers to victory.  He improved to 14-2 and he gave up two runs on eight hits and two walks with five strikeouts in another complete game.

Jim Northrup hit another grand slam and those four RBIs turned out to be the difference in the game.  Norm Cash drove in the other run with a solo shot in the second inning and Denny McLain helped out his own cause with two hits and a run.

June 24, 1968 at Cleveland Stadium
Tigers 14, Indians 3 (45-26)

Jim Northrup put a huge exclamation point as the Tigers finished up their series with the Indians with a blowout win.  Northrup hit not one, but two grand slams and he finished with eight RBIs.  Jim Price hit his first homer of the season and Bill Freehan went two for five with a double, two runs and two RBIs.

Lost in all of the offense was another nice start by Denny McLain.  He gave up three runs on nine hits with eight strikeouts and the win pushed his record to 13-2 on the season.

June 20, 1968 at Tiger Stadium
Tigers 5, Red Sox 1 (43-23)

The Tigers took the rubber game in their series with the Red Sox and once again, it was Denny McLain who got it done on the mound.  He improved to 12-2 and he gave up just one run on three hits and two walks with ten strikeouts in the complete game win.

Mickey Stanley had a monster day at the plate in the win. He went three for four with a homerun, a double and four RBIs.

June 16, 1968 at Comiskey Park
White Sox 3, Tigers 2  (40-22)

Mickey Lolich fell to 5-4 on the season despite a solid outing as the Tigers lost to the White Sox in the first game of their Sunday doubleheader.  He gave up three runs (two earned) on seven hits with two strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings. 

Bill Freehan was the only Tiger with two hits in the contest.  Don Wert doubled, scored a run and drew a walk.

June 16, 1968 at Comiskey Park
Tigers 6, White Sox 1 (41-22)

The Tigers salvaged both a split in their doubleheader with the White Sox as well as their four game series behind another fantastic outing by Denny McLain.  He improved to 11-2 and he gave up one run on three hits and two walks with five strikeouts in seven innings.  Pat Dobson got the final five outs and he picked up his first save of the season.

Jim Northrup doubled, singled and drove in a pair.  Dick McAuliffe doubled, drove in two and scored a run in the win.

June 13, 1968 at Tiger Stadium
Tigers 3, Twins 1 (39-20)

The Tigers finished up a four game sweep over the Twins with yet another solid pitching performance.  It was the third time in the series that the Twins were held to a mere one run and in the fourth game, the Twins managed just a pair of runs.  This time it was Denny McLain, who notched his tenth win of the season.  He gave up one run on six hits and a walk with six strikeouts in the complete game.

Mickey Stanley singled and scored a pair.  Bill Freehan went two for four and he both scored and drove in a run.

June 9, 1968 at Tiger Stadium
Indians 2, Tigers 0 (35-20)

Luis Tiant held the Tigers to just four hits and while Denny McLain was nearly as good, he suffered his second loss of the season.  He fell to 9-2 and he gave up two runs on three hits with four strikeouts in eight innings of work.

Gates Brown had the only extra base hit with a double.  Dick McAuliffe singled, but he had a team high two strikeouts.