September 17, 1968 at Tiger Stadium
Tigers 2, Yankees 1 (98-54)
The Tigers clinched their first American League pennant since 1945 with their eighth straight win. Joe Sparma got it done in a pitcher’s duel in another September complete game and he gave up one run on five hits and one walk with two strikeouts. The win improved his record to 9-10 on the season.
Don Wert had the big hit with an RBI single in the bottom of the ninth. Bill Freehan went two for three with a run while Norm Cash went two for three.
February 23rd, 2010 at 9:00 am
I was there! I saw this game from just behind 3rd base. The celebration was awesome. I left with a roll of sod. I planted in my parent backyard. It’s still there (somewhere) today! Great memory! Also, went the night before and saw the Tigers clinch a tie for the pennant.
June 3rd, 2010 at 10:05 pm
The Tigers did not clinch the pennant with the walkoff. They had already won the pennant because the Orioles lost to the Red Sox. The Tigers were already American League Champions when they batted in the ninth and they knew it. I was in Alaska and heard on the radio on the 5 o’clock news that the Tigers had won the pennant because Baltimore had lost. They didn’t say anything about the Tiger game which was probably still in progress. Later I heard the Tigers had won their game.