Special Sub-Topic: The 1968 World Series Click Here To Play: The 1968 World Series

Bob Gibson set a record for most strikeouts in a World Series game when he struck out 17 Tigers in game 1. Who's record did he break?

Sandy Koufax. Koufax struck out 15 Yankees in game 1 of the 1963 series. The record before that was held by the Brooklyn Dodgers' Carl Erskine when he struck out 14 Yankees in game 3 of the 1953 series.

While the Tigers' Denny McLain won 31 games in 1968, and Bob Gibson set a season record with a 1.12 E.R.A., what man was the pitching star of the series as he was 3-0 with a 1.67 ERA?

Mickey Lolich. Lolich was 2nd on the Tigers after McLain with 17 wins in the 1968 regular season.

The Tigers had four solid hitting outfielders. To get all of them into the lineup, one of them was moved to shortstop for the series. Who was it?

Mickey Stanley. Stanley had never played shortstop in his major league career until the end of the 1968 season. The Tigers' regular shortstop, Ray Oyler, batted .135 in 1968. Thus, Manager Mayo Smith was able to put Willie Horton, Jim Northrup, and Al Kaline all in the lineup. It paid off as the 3 players combined to hit .313 with 5 HRs and 19 RBI. Stanley committed only 2 errors at his unfamiliar position.

What Tiger pitcher hit his first career home run when they evened the series at one game apiece with an 8-1 win in game 2?

Mickey Lolich. What a series for Lolich. He won 3 games and hit his first career home run. Earl Wilson was known as one of the better hitting pitchers of his era, hitting 35 home runs in his 11 year career.

In the 5th inning of game 5, and the Cardinals leading by a score of 3-2, what player failed to slide on a close play at the plate, and was called out?

Lou Brock. Brock was the Cardinals' speedy left fielder but for unknown reasons, he attempted to score standing up on a play at the plate, and was tagged out by catcher Bill Freehan. That killed the Cardinal rally, and the Tigers went on to win the game 5-3 and narrow the Cardinals' series lead to 3 games to 2.

What Tigers' grand slam home run highlighted a 10 run third inning outburst, in game 6 as the Tigers tied the series with a 13-1 win?

Jim Northrup. The 13 run outburst supported 31 game winner Denny McLain in his only victory of the series.

Who was the manager of the Tigers?

Mayo Smith. Martin managed the 1972 Tigers, who won the A.L East but lost in the ALCS to Oakland. Dressen managed the Tigers from 1963-1966, as well as the Brooklyn Dodgers in the early 1950s.

Not known for their power, the Cardinals nonetheless had two players hit 3-run homers in game 3 to lead them to a 7-3 victory. Who were they?

Tim McCarver and Orlando Cepeda. The Cardinals were known for speed and pitching, but McCarver and Cepeda provided some sock in this game.

With no score in the 6th inning of the decisive game 7, Mickey Lolich picked what two Cardinal runners off 1st base, thereby stopping a potential rally?

Lou Brock & Curt Flood. Lolich picked off these St. Louis speedsters, helping to keep the game scoreless.

In game 7, who hit the triple that drove in 2 go-ahead runs that were the difference in the Tigers' 4-1 victory?

Jim Northrup. With 2 men on in the 7th inning of a 0-0 game, Northrup hit a line drive that gold glove centerfielder Curt Flood misjudged. As Flood started in, the ball sailed over his head and the Tigers scored 3 runs in the inning. This was the first time the Cardinals ever lost a World Series game 7.