1968 World Series

The 1968 World Series featured the defending champion St. Louis Cardinals and the Detroit Tigers, with the Tigers winning in 7 games for their first championship since 1945, and the third in their history. The Tigers came back from a 3-1 deficit to win three in a row. However in Game 5, their hopes for title would be in jeopardy when Bill Freehan tagged out Lou Brock at home plate colliding with each other.

Related Topics:
1968 - World Series - St. Louis Cardinals - Detroit Tigers - 1945 - Bill Freehan - Lou Brock

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The narrow win for the Tigers was due, in small part, to a bold gamble by Manager Mayo Smith. Smith benched no-hit defensive whiz shortstop Ray Oyler in favor of converted center fielder Mickey Stanley. As the Tigers took the lead, Oyler was returned to the lineup as a defensive replacement, Stanley moved back into the outfield and good-hit no field outfielder Willie Horton went to the bench. Oyler finished each of the four games won by the Tigers, three of them with MVP Mickey Lolich on the pitcher's mound.

Related Topics:
Mayo Smith - Shortstop - Ray Oyler - Center fielder - Mickey Stanley - Willie Horton - Mickey Lolich

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Umpires: Tom Gorman (NL), Jim Honochick (AL), Stan Landes (NL), Bill Kinnamon (AL), Doug Harvey (NL), Bill Haller (AL)

Related Topics:
Tom Gorman - Jim Honochick - Stan Landes - Bill Kinnamon - Doug Harvey - Bill Haller

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MVP: Mickey Lolich

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