Project Durham Bulls #23 - Mickey Lolich

1959-1961 Durham Bulls 

Background-

Lolich is one of the most successful Major League pitchers to have come through Durham on their through the Minors.  One could easily make the argument that he's the most successful former Durham Bulls pitcher.  Lolich first arrived in Durham during the 1959 season as an 18 year old fresh out of Lincoln High School in Portland, Oregon.  Between 1959 and 1961 Lolich essentially split the seasons between the Bulls, in the Carolina League, and the Knoxville Smokies, in the South Atlantic League.  During those three season Lolich made more than 40 starts for the Bulls, but only won 11 games.  He did strikeout more than a batter per inning and had an ERA under 3.  Lolich made the Tigers roster in 1963 after a detour with the Kansas City Athletics as a Minor League Free Agent.  Lolich ended up playing a total of 16 seasons in the Majors, 13 with the Tigers, 1 with the Mets, and 2 with the Padres.

The highlight of Lolich's career was the 1968 World Series.  He led the Tigers to the World Series win over the heavily favored Cardinals and bested Hall of Famer Bob Gibson in the Game 7 clincher.  Lolich took home the World Series MVP trophy for his efforts.  

Lolich ended his career as the Tigers all-time leader in strikeouts and the modern leader in wins.  There are two pre-World War I Tigers pitchers with more wins than Lolich.  His 2,679 strikeouts were the second most by a left-handed pitcher in the history of the American League until he passed by C.C. Sabathia at the end of this season.  Between 1965 and 1975 Lolich led all Major League pitchers in strikeouts and was second in wins.  Lolich is not in the Hall of Fame, and while there are those who argue he should be in, he's clearly a Hall of Very Good Player.  His comparable players on Baseball-Reference are pitchers like Jerry Koosman, Luis Tiant, and Jerry Ruess.  Not too shabby, but also not Cooperstown.  

Card- 

Lolich has had several certified autographs over the years.  I wasn't all that particular about which card I ended up with since they are all Tigers cards.  Not to knock the Padres or Mets, but Mickey Lolich is one of those players who is associated with one team.  Not to worry though, nobody has made a Lolich Padres/Mets autograph.  I ended up with this 2001 Archives autograph, which I feel might be the best of his signed cards.  The Team Topps autograph from 2002 is essentially the same card, but there is an extra foil stamp on the card.  I have heard some people argue that the two cards were produced at the same time and Topps just added the extra Team Topps stamp so they could package them in a different product.  However, the Archives stamp is on the other side of the card on the Team Topps autograph. Either way, I am good with just having one foil stamp on the card instead of two.   Lolich has always had the very tiny signature, but it is very consistent.   Somewhat neat with kind of a half cursive/half print look.  Very happy with the card and happy to have the an autograph from one of the better players in the history of the Durham Bulls.