Happy Left Handers Day...Baseball Style.

Today is officially "Left Handers Day."

I have to admit, until today, I didn't really know their was a day just for the lefty's, nor did I know there was a web site just for left handers.

So, with baseball fan writing blog posts, sending Tweets, posting Facebook "likes",  about their favorite left handed hurlers, I thought I'd send a shout out for a Detroit Tigers hero.

Mickey Lolich is the best left handed pitcher the Tigers have ever had.

 Mickey won 217 big league ball games, 207 wearing the old English "D" for 13 of his 16 years in the bigs.


Mickey was the 1968 World Series Most Valuable Player, winning three games, besting Cardinals ace Bob Gibson in Game 7, 4-1.

Mickey was traded to the New York Mets for OF Rusty Staub after the '75 season.

He won 8 games for the Mets in 1976, losing 18.

Mickey finished his big league career with the San Diego Padres in 1978-79.

The number Mickey Lolich wore, #29, has continued to be issued by the Tigers.

38 years.

From Steve Foucalt To Danny Worth, the Tigers have somehow managed,  without just cause by this fan, to allow the number to be worn by subpar players.

One day it would be great to look out to those famous statues and see Mickey and Bill Freehan immortalized in bronze. 

I think Tiger fans need to remember that the Tigers have been an American League institution since the start of the league, in 1901.

The Tigers have done a terrific job putting together a World Series contending team

That said, the Tigers need to honor the past as well.

After the Cardinals Tim McCarver popped up the final pitch of the World Series, the ball fell safely into the mitt of Tigers catcher Bill Freehan.

Freehan turned around after catching the laat out, turned around to celebrate, and caught Mickey Lolich jumping with joy into Freehan's arms.

The Tigers need to honor that moment, those two baseball heros, Detroit Tigerd heroed.

This what the statue should look like.

Go Tigers!

#retire Mickeys29

#11belongstoFreehan