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Joy in Tigertown: A Determined Team, a Resilient City, and Our Magical Run to the 1968 World Series
Fifty years on, the 1968 World Series remains one of the most iconic in major league history, a seven-game star-studded gauntlet which fittingly capped off a season for the ages in Detroit. Featuring St. Louis Cardinals ace Bob Gibson in MVP form, Mr. Tiger himself, Al Kaline, coming through at the plate with heroic timing, and Mickey Lolich shouldering unimaginable weight—three complete games pitched in a single series—it was baseball at its best, and baseball when and where it was most needed. Told with the vibrant first-hand perspective of Lolich himself and the expertise of award-winning Detroit journalist Tom Gage, this is the remarkable saga of that '68 season which culminated in Tigers glory. Incorporating new reflections from players and personnel, Joy in Tigertown traces such achievements as Denny McClain's 31-win season as well as the remarkable slugging performances of Kaline, Norm Cash, Willie Horton, and Bill Freehan. Experience the journey of a madcap team, a city reeling from riots, and a country immersed in turbulence and transition.
266 pages, Paperback
Published June 1, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
May 21, 2018
I’ll start with the fact that I am a huge Tiger fan, was 9 years old in 1968 and became a baseball fan that summer because of these 1968 Detroit Tigers. I have read many book about this season and this follows the same pattern... it was a great team- but not much “new” to tell after 50 years. But if you want to hear it from the best left handed pitcher in Tiger history and learn a little more of his life then you’ll be as satisfied as I am to read it. Putting a little extra cash into a fellow Croates pocket is okay, too.
September 4, 2018
Was born in February 1968 so I knew that series in legend only. Picked up the last signed copy at Pages Bookshop in Detroit after running into an old family friend who was at the reading that Lolich and Gage did there. I agree that Lolich definitely deserves to be in the Baseball Hall of Fame. One suggestion to Mickey - go visit the Detroit '67 exhibit at the Detroit Historical Society (they would probably love to get your oral history to add to their archive as well). Of course, you can only write your experience, but I think you would benefit from reading about the other side of what you experienced as a member of the Air National Guard.
Now I am off to find and watch YouTube videos of Games 2, 5 & 7!
Now I am off to find and watch YouTube videos of Games 2, 5 & 7!
October 1, 2018
A must-read for Tiger fans
Tom Gage is a very good friend, but beyond that he’s a writer I’ve always rushed to read, whether he was writing a game story, a feature or even a simple Tigers notebook. He’s done a great job hear with a good subject, Mickey Lolich and a career centered on his MVP performance in the 1968 World Series.
Tom is right. Mickey’s career is under appreciated. People remember him as a very good pitcher, but they tend to talk about others from that ‘68 team much more than him. And that may be, as Tom writes, because until now Mickey’s story tended to be told as a short chapter in a book.
Now it’s the full story, told by Mickey but with Tom’s help.
Tom Gage is a very good friend, but beyond that he’s a writer I’ve always rushed to read, whether he was writing a game story, a feature or even a simple Tigers notebook. He’s done a great job hear with a good subject, Mickey Lolich and a career centered on his MVP performance in the 1968 World Series.
Tom is right. Mickey’s career is under appreciated. People remember him as a very good pitcher, but they tend to talk about others from that ‘68 team much more than him. And that may be, as Tom writes, because until now Mickey’s story tended to be told as a short chapter in a book.
Now it’s the full story, told by Mickey but with Tom’s help.
June 4, 2018
This really was. fun book to read--particularly,as a Tiger fan who grew up loving the 68 Tigers (I was an 8 year old at the time) and later on as a "seasoned baseball fan," always felt Mickey Lolich really got "short changed" for his accomplishments in the World Series and I was really glad to read this book on the 50th anniversary of that remarkable championship season. the book was also refreshing in that--unlike his later doughnuts-- "the Mick" doesn't sugarcoat a lot of things. He could have said more about Denny McClain but Lolich is very diplomatic in his reasons for not doing so....Tom Gage also undoubtedly was a great help in crafting this fun read which I think any Tiger fan--heck, any real baseball fan can enjoy.
June 3, 2018
Mickey is my all-time favorite player, so I’m not the most objective reviewer. That being said, though, this is a great read. I heard Mickey at an event a few years ago and co-author Tom Gage captured his voice. The book alternates between chapters about his life and chapters of each game of the 1968 World Series. I have heard a lot of stories about Lolich but there were many here I’d never heard before.
April 7, 2021
A wonderful trip down memory lane with one of my favorite Tigers pitchers, southpaw Mickey Lolich. Lolich offers his keen insight to the boys of '68 and their date with destiny in their comeback fashion that was on display all season that year. I felt like I was on the field, in the clubhouse, and out with the boys the way Mickey pulls you in. A good read even if you're not a fan of the Tigers but a must-read for those who are.
February 22, 2020
This was fun to read. Tom Gage is listed as the author, but it's all through Mickey Lolich's perspective. It's mostly written in a conversational style, and I suppose it's mostly direct transcripts from Mickey talking. He's funny and engaging, just like when he's making a public appearance. He has great stories. He's not a writer.
September 30, 2018
Enjoyable in that this book did not follow the traditional autobiography format as Mickey’s life story was weaved in and out of Game 7 of the 1968 World Series. Some new fun details, many rehashed old stories, nonetheless good to see that they are under one roof with this effort by Lolich and Gage.
May 11, 2020
Great Read
Was a fan of Lolich. Glad he co-wrote a book. It is not just about the 68 series, but also about his teammates and his growth into a Major League pitcher. He was a workhorse. It was so enjoyable, I read it over a weekend. Very entertaining. Kudos...Mickey.
Was a fan of Lolich. Glad he co-wrote a book. It is not just about the 68 series, but also about his teammates and his growth into a Major League pitcher. He was a workhorse. It was so enjoyable, I read it over a weekend. Very entertaining. Kudos...Mickey.
June 11, 2018
A great book from Mickey Lolich and Tom Gage. Most of the book focuses on the 1968 Tigers, but it also is about Lolich's career. Great read for a Tigers fan!
October 13, 2018
Memoir by 1968 World Series MVP Mickey Lolich of the Detroit Tigers' special season 50 years ago. He weaves his pre-1968 and post-1968 career around the three games in the series he won. Good-naturedly told, it relates about pranks, pitches and teammates but is no tell-all out to settle scores. Good for baseball fans of the era.
July 2, 2021
Underrated Pitcher and Great Author
Mackey Lolich is one of the first players I had knowledge of as an 8 year old Cardinal fan. His stellar MVP performance allowed the Tigers to defeat my beloved Cardinals, however Mickey became one of my favorite players of all time. I so appreciate that he took the time to write this book. I loved his inside perspective of each of the 1968 World Series games. The book also provided a background into Mickey's life both before and after baseball. I truly enjoyed this book and recommend it strongly to all baseball fans of the 1960's or 70's.
Mackey Lolich is one of the first players I had knowledge of as an 8 year old Cardinal fan. His stellar MVP performance allowed the Tigers to defeat my beloved Cardinals, however Mickey became one of my favorite players of all time. I so appreciate that he took the time to write this book. I loved his inside perspective of each of the 1968 World Series games. The book also provided a background into Mickey's life both before and after baseball. I truly enjoyed this book and recommend it strongly to all baseball fans of the 1960's or 70's.
May 4, 2022
Tiger fan remembers
As a 6 year old in 1968 some of my first memories are listening to Ernie Harwell call Tiger comebacks on the radio. As I aged I enjoyed reading stories by Tom Gage so was pleased to see a beat writer involved in Lolich’s book. I learned a few things while having a good time rehashing some of my favorite memories. In my mind Mickey Lolich was a good guy and a great pitcher, and nothing in this book changes that.
As a 6 year old in 1968 some of my first memories are listening to Ernie Harwell call Tiger comebacks on the radio. As I aged I enjoyed reading stories by Tom Gage so was pleased to see a beat writer involved in Lolich’s book. I learned a few things while having a good time rehashing some of my favorite memories. In my mind Mickey Lolich was a good guy and a great pitcher, and nothing in this book changes that.
December 30, 2019
Not bad! I like that each of the seven games were a chapter, and in between them were more random stories.
September 9, 2022
The Tigers were my first team I rooted for in baseball, even though I've always lived in Boston. Perhaps it was just being a frontrunner as a little kid, and wanting to be different, but the 80s Tigers team was my team until they all go old and retired.
Because I was into the Tigers in the 80s, of course I knew about the previousl great Tigers team in the late 60s. Mickey Lolich, being a chubby left handed pitcher(as I hoped to be when I was 10) was naturally my favorite, but I only knew about him through stats, and that he didn't really get along with Denny McLain, so I was super excited when this book came out.
The book itself is a bit all over the place, and is JUST Mickey's personal experience, he (or the author that assisted) doesn't really get into the season or the background much, only his experiences. While context in sports books is always nice, and sometimes the best, part, in this case his stories really shine through. He really seems like a cool guy to talk to, and the way the book is written, you feel more like you sat down and had dinner with the guy rather than have read a book.
I'd say if you're looking for the story of the 1968 Tigers, there are better sources, but if Mickey Lolich is your guy, this is a fantastic book.
Because I was into the Tigers in the 80s, of course I knew about the previousl great Tigers team in the late 60s. Mickey Lolich, being a chubby left handed pitcher(as I hoped to be when I was 10) was naturally my favorite, but I only knew about him through stats, and that he didn't really get along with Denny McLain, so I was super excited when this book came out.
The book itself is a bit all over the place, and is JUST Mickey's personal experience, he (or the author that assisted) doesn't really get into the season or the background much, only his experiences. While context in sports books is always nice, and sometimes the best, part, in this case his stories really shine through. He really seems like a cool guy to talk to, and the way the book is written, you feel more like you sat down and had dinner with the guy rather than have read a book.
I'd say if you're looking for the story of the 1968 Tigers, there are better sources, but if Mickey Lolich is your guy, this is a fantastic book.
December 27, 2019
This was a very nice memoir by Mickey Lolich with a lot of background and side stories surrounding the 1968 World Series. I enjoyed reading it and getting his perspective as the man who miraculously won three games including Game 7 against God himself, Bob Gibson.
Co-written by longtime Detroit News reporter and Tigers beat man Tom Gage, a veritable expert of the team’s history.
Strongly recommended for anyone with an interest in the 1968 Detroit Tigers or a fan of Mickey Lolich.
Co-written by longtime Detroit News reporter and Tigers beat man Tom Gage, a veritable expert of the team’s history.
Strongly recommended for anyone with an interest in the 1968 Detroit Tigers or a fan of Mickey Lolich.
December 25, 2024
Reading this really made my Tiger fan heart happy. I had met Mickey more than once at autograph signings. I loved how this book wasn't just about the game. It was more about him as a person and the relationships he developed throughout his career. Mostly focused on the 68 tigers and their World Series but making me realize the game back then was much different than today's game.
February 23, 2023
Surprisingly good read from a excellent pitcher under appreciated only by some who never saw him pitch. Similarly, the 1968 series was truly great, yet somewhat overlooked. The ‘68 Tigers were only the third team since 1900 to come back from a three games to one deficit.
March 5, 2024
I'm a Tiger fan so this is right in my wheelhouse. Nothing crazy or shocking comes up in Joy, but if you want to spend a few hours reading some earnest and fun stories about the late 60's/early 70's Tigers, this will do the trick.
April 26, 2020
Not a bad read...
October 16, 2020
A fun, happy read for Tigers fans.
June 28, 2021
Just Fine
A glimpse into the baseball life (and a little more) of one
Michael Stephan Lolich. Interesting contrast in the way pitchers were used then compared to today.
A glimpse into the baseball life (and a little more) of one
Michael Stephan Lolich. Interesting contrast in the way pitchers were used then compared to today.
April 19, 2022
Another great book on the Detroit Tigers , my lifelong favorite team.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews