Lolich may have been a great pitcher once, but by 1976 he was a has-been. John Bruce May 8, 2003 Take a look at his stats on baseball-reference and you will shake your head. The fact of the matter is New York is a what have you done for me lately kind of city, and when Lolich came to the Mets he pitched like a nobody. Although I'd rather have a hitter like Rusty, you have to admit, Mickey Lolich's ERA was a very respectable 3.22. Mickey liked his doughnuts. November 19, 2002 After one year in New York Lolich retired. He started 45 games and completed 29. October 19, 2011 When the Mets got Lolich I was happy (despite hating losing Le Grande Orange). bogeyman Mike B Streamline your workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system. Jamey Bumbalo But I think the final verdict has to be that neither team would have fared much differently with or without the Lolich/Staub trade. His era of 3.22 is only .09% more than 20-game winner Carlton for the Phils. August 11, 2015 Mickey liked his doughnuts. August 11, 2015 Shari NYB Buff July 15, 2016 Raymond Malcuit Jr. pete Believe me if he pitched like the ace he was in Detroit no one here would have been so quick to criticize the trade. According to his profile above, his height and weight are listed as follows: I saw Lolich pitch at Shea on July 29, 1976, a Thursday afternoon game following morning showers, probably a getaway game, attended by a sparse crowd of 12,588. February 28, 2003 Joe Figliola April 6, 2012 I don't know, I'm not a Mets expert. 170 lbs.? But what can you expect when the team only averaged 3.4 runs for Seaver per start and 3.3 for Lolich? As a 44-year-old with a beer belly, I can relate. So when your "inning eater" goes 220 and gets a bonus it's beyond comprehension. April 24, 2003 October 4, 2005 John Bruce Like Seaver and Koosman, Mickey had pretty meager run support throughout his career. - Now for the trade itself. But the facts are:Lolich spent 16 years in the Majors. November 12, 2006 2005-2023 CBS INTERACTIVE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. He later resurfaced with the Padres. He later came back to play for the Padres. June 11, 2003 When he was with the Mets, I gave him the name "TOO MUCH EATER" but then again the Orange and Blue has always had big boned hurlers (El Sid. My memory is that while the Mets' front office had made dumb and abysmal trades in the past, this was one that just made no sense in any way, shape, or form. The two 13-inning games didn't even count for complete games because they went 15 innings! The food metaphor of trading a steak for a donut is accurate in this and many Mets trades. John Bruce April 6, 2012 (With three lefties and a Seaver, the Mets were lefty killers) But the Mets needed hitting. Ok, the height is correct but make no mistake,a consistent, determined winner, Mickey Lolich was in the spotlight throughout his career. His three wins in the 1968 Series against the Cardinals were the apex of his career. What an interesting parallel, huh? Mike F. In that same year he went 13, 13, 12, 11 and 10 innings in 5 games. As far as who got the better of the Staub for Lolich deal: Rusty went on to have several excellent seasons in a Tiger uniform. Koufax would have 175 by the All-Star Break. The Tigers had some great years back in the late 60's and early 70's- much like the Mets. His era of 3.22 is only .09% more than 20-game winner Carlton for the Phils. Lolich hit a home run in the World Series- and so what does that mean, that he was a great hitter? Mickey liked his doughnuts. Mickey Lolich did not pitch badly for the Mets in 1976. Lolich was a newcomer that was a big loser, and he reminded us of how stupid the Mets management was for always going after fading superstars. Anybody remember how Rusty looked those last few years in New York? April 30, 2009 I remember Lolich pitching some good ball for the Mets with absolutely NO run support. Mickey Lolich so despised the Mets experience that he sat home and ate donuts for a year rather than play again in New York. He was a big (emphasis: BIG) bust in New York. Lolich was a fine pitcher. That's more realistic but generous, I think! He lost 39 games his last two seasons in Detroit, with an obese ERA both years. All he represents for me was one of the many horrendous choices the Mets have made over the years, always going after washed up has-beens past their prime. ''The old ballplayers saying how much better they were and complaining about how little money they made. He started 45 games and completed 29. April 27, 2013 bogeyman Late 80s? Mickey Lolich did not do too bad with the Mets, He just did not get the Yes, Mickey had some great years with the Tigers, no disrespect to him, but acquiring him at the cost of Rusty was one of the Mets' top three bonehead trades. In this World Series, Lolich pitched three complete games and allowed only five runs an ERA of 1.67. End of Line (thankfully returning in '81). The two 13-inning games didn't even count for complete games because they went 15 innings! Then Vail hurt his ankle playing Basketball and he was never the same. He wanted to finish out his career in Detroit, where he had some great years (the photo of him jumping on Bill Freehan after the final out in the 1968 World Series is a classic). God bless him wherever he is and good luck! The bat-and-ball-shaped sign confirms that the shop belongs to the Mickey Lolich, the lefty who won 217 games and struck out 2,832 batters in a 16-year career with the Detroit Tigers. And yes, maybe Koosman had losing years in the late 70's but he had been a Met long enough with a winning record that the fans rooted for him. I remember that the Daily News at the time would have a one-page section on Sunday that showed some of the athletes with their families away from the ballpark. May 6, 2003 John Bruce June 30, 2001 Cut him some slack. Dianna Jeanneh Jones March 2, 2003 We are going all the way!" But the facts are:Lolich spent 16 years in the Majors. And yes, maybe Koosman had losing years in the late 70's but he had been a Met long enough with a winning record that the fans rooted for him. But I think the final verdict has to be that neither team would have fared much differently with or without the Lolich/Staub trade. April 23, 2003 October 19, 2011 There were some games where the Mets did not give him support. I have to respectfully disagree with NYB Buff's claim that Lolich belongs in Cooperstown. October 4, 2005 Feat Fan February 28, 2003 When he was with the Mets, I gave him the name "TOO MUCH EATER" but then again the Orange and Blue has always had big boned hurlers (El Sid. End of Line Hey Mets Fan, Lolich never asked to be traded to New York. He noted that he weighed 200 pounds when he won 18 games in 1964 and weighed only two pounds more in 1966. But what can you expect when the team only averaged 3.4 runs for Seaver per start and 3.3 for Lolich? (And of course Donald Grant) The Mets had to fill 2 corner outfield spots and first base. His era of 3.22 is only .09% more than 20-game winner Carlton for the Phils. And of course Lolich did not want to be here, and the fans did not want him here either, so I am sure that's why he skipped town the next year. Jamey Bumbalo February 25, 2003 Although I'd rather have a hitter like Rusty, you have to admit, Mickey Lolich's ERA was a very respectable 3.22. Joe was hit by a Bob Moose pitch to drive in the tying run, but the '76 Mets couldn't stand such success, as two singles and a double play grounder by future Mets coach Bill Robinson in the top of the 10th off Skip Lockwood gave the Bucs a 2-1 win. But in his final season with the Tigers, he became the all-time leader in strikeouts for left-handed pitchers. The Mets traded the best player they ever had for a bunch of stiffs. The Mets acquiring him for Rusty Staub was another trade made by M. Donald Grant out of spite for Staub's salary request. Grant was a real hindrance to the Mets. Another guy who didn't get enough run support, and - yes - he ended up being blamed for the Staub trade rather than Grant himself. He served up a home run, and my mother screamed "Lolich, you fat jerk, you stink!!!" October 18, 2008 Shickhaus Franks feat fan Mickey pitched almost 200 innings in 76, gave up less hits than innings and his era was in the low 3.00's. Let me say that again, 376 and that's without a pitch count. I remember Lolich pitching some good ball for the Mets with absolutely NO run support. In that same year he went 13, 13, 12, 11 and 10 innings in 5 games. I thought Rusty filled that uniform out pretty well himself! There were some games where the Mets did not give him support. He later came back to play for the Padres. But the facts are:Lolich spent 16 years in the Majors. Its not Rustys fault the Tigers traded for hitting when they already had hitting. In one of his best games as a Met, hefty lefty Lolich (no doubt the prototype for David Wells), tossed 8 innings, allowing 8 hits and 2 walks while striking out 4, the only run scoring on a fourth-inning groundout by a young Dave Parker.Alas, with the Mets historically typical poor run support, Lolich left, trailing 1-0, for pinch hitter Mike Phillips, who fanned for the 2nd out of the ninth, before singles by Ed Kranepool (batting for Leon Brown) and Bruce Boisclair and a walk to John Milner loaded the bases for Joe Torre. May 8, 2003 The two 13-inning games didn't even count for complete games because they went 15 innings! In his first full season 1964, Mickey Lolich went 18-9 an ERA of 3.26. I remember when M. Donald Grant traded Staub for Lolich he explained it to disgusted NY sports fans by saying something like "the team needs more speed. But I have to say, I laughed out loud when I saw his physical statistics on this site. He had a 3/4 delivery that thrived on the weight shift. No contest. March 2, 2003 Mickey Lolich's 1976 season with the Mets Lolich arrived in New York after multiple successful seasons with Detroit. Raymond Malcuit Mickey Lolich was a great pitcher in the American League. He later resurfaced with the Padres. Hey Mets Fan, Lolich never asked to be traded to New York. Al Really? Feat Fan But in his final season with the Tigers, he became the all-time leader in strikeouts for left-handed pitchers. According to his profile above, his height and weight are listed as follows:Height: 6.01 Weight: 170170 pounds on a 6 ft. 1 in. Or even a platoon as Vail was righty, and Milner was lefty.In the days of 4-man rotation, Seaver-Koosman-Matlack had them covered 75% of the time. Mickey was a fantastic pitcher for the Tigers. bob saunders Within a year, the corpulent Lolich had retired to open a doughnut shop in suburban Detroit. Robert Another guy who didn't get enough run support, and - yes - he ended up being blamed for the Staub trade rather than Grant himself. =Chuck= In San Diego they had a fan club for him called the Mickey Lolich Gut Club. Mickey Lolich did not pitch badly for the Mets in 1976. He started 45 games and completed 29. With the success of the SpaceX Crew Dragon launch did you know NASA had a Lake Orion graduate as one of their astronauts? Mickey Lolich captured the sporting headlines in 1968 by upstaging Hall of Famer, Bob Gibson, in the World Series. Robert That's pretty good this day in age. December 20, 2019 Baseball Career. October 4, 2006 Really? He had a 3/4 delivery that thrived on the weight shift. Lolich struck out more American League hitters than any other lefty in the history of baseball- that includes Randy Johnson, etc. LA-Mets What an interesting parallel, huh? Although I'd rather have a hitter like Rusty, you have to admit, Mickey Lolich's ERA was a very respectable 3.22. The Lolich for Rusty Staub trade might be the first and only trade where two players who were well known for food establishments were traded for each other. God bless him wherever he is and good luck! September 25, 2013 Mickey Lolich captured the sporting headlines in 1968 by upstaging Hall of Famer, Bob Gibson, in the World Series. Five years before he became a Met, Lolich threw for 376 innings! Maybe when he was 15 years old he was 170, but at no point in his major league career was he ever 170. How Mickey still had an arm when he pitched for us is amazing. I don't know if Mickey belongs in Cooperstown but he sure deserved more than 25% of the vote which was his highest showing. In one of his best games as a Met, hefty lefty Lolich (no doubt the prototype for David Wells), tossed 8 innings, allowing 8 hits and 2 walks while striking out 4, the only run scoring on a fourth-inning groundout by a young Dave Parker.Alas, with the Mets historically typical poor run support, Lolich left, trailing 1-0, for pinch hitter Mike Phillips, who fanned for the 2nd out of the ninth, before singles by Ed Kranepool (batting for Leon Brown) and Bruce Boisclair and a walk to John Milner loaded the bases for Joe Torre. Randy Tate According to his profile above, his height and weight are listed as follows:Height: 6.01 Weight: 170170 pounds on a 6 ft. 1 in. Three bad starts on 8/3 and 8/13 as well as his next to last start on 9/15 is what really bloated his ERA, not that 3.22 even in the '70s was that shabby.Yes, he was far removed from his prime but to say he sucked is pretty short sighted and flies in the face of the fact that he pitched well enough to be a 12-15 game winner, but then this is the same year Seaver pitched Cy Young caliber ball and went only 14-11. Lolich was a good one, underrated and dominating at times. December 24, 2001 That's pretty good this day in age. Bobster1985 Mike B Mickey Lolich was a great pitcher in the American League. Rusty could hit with the lights out. Thomas: The erstwhile sphinx says what he thinks. Jamey Bumbalo Ramblin' Pete March 5, 2006 He made the all- star team 3 times, led the AL in wins once, shutouts once, complete games once, innings once, strikeouts once, and losses TWICE.He finished second (1971) and third (1972) in the Cy Young race, and he never finished higher than TENTH PLACE in the league in ERA (finished tenth in both 1971 and 1972).Baseball Reference lists among his top ten in similarity scores: Jerry Koosman, Jerry Reuss, Rick Reuschel, Luis Tiant, Vida Blue, and Joe Niekro.All of that tells me Lolich in his prime was a good pitcher, but nowhere near a HOFer. It just happens to be my own and I just happen to make doughnuts.''. Stu Baron April 6, 2012 In that same year he went 13, 13, 12, 11 and 10 innings in 5 games. Really? Like Seaver and Koosman, Mickey had pretty meager run support throughout his career. Ken Akerman August 7, 2002 Ok, the height is correct but make no mistake,a consistent, determined winner, Mickey Lolich was in the spotlight throughout his career. I had never heard my mother get so angry at a Mets player. I'll start with full disclosure: I was (and still am) bitter that the Mets gave up one of my favorite players, Rusty Staub, to get Lolich-- who was well past his prime. Two quick points that haven't been mentioned:- It was Mike Vail's fantastic debut that led the Mets to believe they had a replacement for Staub. September 24, 2005 to realizing he was one of the worst trades in Mets history, before Seaver went to the Reds. But keeping 105-RBI Staub would have provided middle lineup power 100% of the time. Lolich was still productive but he was never accepted in New York because of whom he was traded for. C'mon John, the Mets did the Tigers a huge favor by taking this washed-up pitcher off their hands and giving them a great hitter like Rusty. He pitched over 300 innings for 4 years in a row, coming close to 400 one year. Take a look at his stats on baseball-reference and you will shake your head. They were starting their descent into oblivion and the Staub trade was step in that direction. His era of 3.22 is only .09% more than 20-game winner Carlton for the Phils. The Lolich for Rusty Staub trade might be the first and only trade where two players who were well known for food establishments were traded for each other. Grant was a real hindrance to the Mets. I simply loved to see him walk onto the mound; I knew that we as a ball club would be a winner any time he pitched, but as they always say time moves on, but our memory is always around. I remember that the Daily News at the time would have a one-page section on Sunday that showed some of the athletes with their families away from the ballpark. Lolich was a good one, underrated and dominating at times. Bobster1985 [1] He played in Major League Baseball as a left-handed pitcher from 1963 until 1979, almost entirely for the Detroit Tigers. Mickey had a lifetime 3.44 ERA and 2832 strikeouts. As far as who got the better of the Staub for Lolich deal: Rusty went on to have several excellent seasons in a Tiger uniform. Like Seaver and Koosman, Mickey had pretty meager run support throughout his career. (thankfully returning in '81). Randy Tate But in his final season with the Tigers, he became the all-time leader in strikeouts for left-handed pitchers. I agree with Doughnut Shoppe patron. ''When people ask for me and the girls say I'm in the backroom, I can hear them saying 'Tell me another story.' In his first full season 1964, Mickey Lolich went 18-9 an ERA of 3.26. This has never happened before? Family (1) Spouse Mickey did a few good games with the Mets as well as a couple shutouts. Lolich was a newcomer that was a big loser, and he reminded us of how stupid the Mets management was for always going after fading superstars. Replied Thomas: "Evidently.". August 18, 2001 I used to think that Lolich sucked with the Mets, but after reviewing his stats and starts from that year, he was a damn effective #4 starter. Players who led the Mets in various categories, from season to season. Rusty has always been a fan favorite so if you're going to trade him it better be worth it, and to most of us Mets fans Lolich wasn't. Raymond Malcuit Really? As Sonny Jurgenson once said "you don't throw the ball with your stomach." But then Vail got hurt, and Kranepool and the aging Torre got more playing time.The better plan was to keep Staub, and let Milner and Vail fight for a spot. (And of course Donald Grant) The Mets had to fill 2 corner outfield spots and first base. December 20, 2019 Larry Burns I don't know if Mickey belongs in Cooperstown but he sure deserved more than 25% of the vote which was his highest showing. Raymond Malcuit Mickey Lolich was a great pitcher in the American League. The plan was apparently: Vail LF/RF, Kingman LF/RF/1B, Milner, LF/RF/1B for those three spots. 2009 won the Nationwide Tour Players Cup, He has played in over 26 different countries, He will be participating in the PGA Champions Tour. His three wins in the 1968 Series against the Cardinals were the apex of his career. Another guy who didn't get enough run support, and - yes - he ended up being blamed for the Staub trade rather than Grant himself. Ok, the height is correct but make no mistake,a consistent, determined winner, Mickey Lolich was in the spotlight throughout his career. murphy The last thing the Tigers needed was a dandy hitter whose hitting only went to support lopsided slugfest losses every day. Bob P He later resurfaced with the Padres. As far as who got the better of the Staub for Lolich deal: Rusty went on to have several excellent seasons in a Tiger uniform. '', At the end of his playing career, like many other athletes, Lolich worked as a manufacturer's representative - a glorified salesman - for a company that made cigarette lighters engraved with promotional messages. HmmBaseball Reference.com is usually beyond redoubt, but I would say with almost unimpeachable certainty that Mickey Lolich weighed somewhere in the vicinity of 240 by the time he was huffing and puffing his way up the pitchers mound at Shea in 1976.Another awful trade, courtesy of M. Donald Grant, who couldn't wait to run Rusty Staub (coming off a team-record setting 105 RBI season) out of town, weeks after Mrs. Payson passed away. Anybody remember how Rusty looked those last few years in New York? November 3, 2006 pete Jim Snedeker We felt the same way when the Mets traded away Seaver and got back mediocre players for him. March 22, 2005 Poor Mickey. The Purple Gang were a mob of bootleggers from Detroit in the 1920's. Lolich was a fine pitcher. August 7, 2018 Another awful trade, courtesy of M. Donald Grant, who couldn't wait to run Rusty Staub (coming off a team-record setting 105 RBI season) out of town, weeks after Mrs. Payson passed away. Lolich was a fine pitcher. All of you New Yorkers are forgetting how the Tigers fared in this deal of Staub/Lolich. LA-Mets Randy Tate For a fourth starter, on a four man rotation, Lolich was decent. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. senor ortiz But this one defied all logic from the beginning. As far as who got the better of the Staub for Lolich deal: Rusty went on to have several excellent seasons in a Tiger uniform. ''This must be our day,'' said an elderly man in a Tiger cap, two grandchildren in tow. I simply loved to see him walk onto the mound; I knew that we as a ball club would be a winner any time he pitched, but as they always say time moves on, but our memory is always around. support. November 19, 2002 I don't know if Mickey belongs in Cooperstown but he sure deserved more than 25% of the vote which was his highest showing. He had terrific stuff. Stu Baron Joe Figliola Two quick points that haven't been mentioned:- It was Mike Vail's fantastic debut that led the Mets to believe they had a replacement for Staub. He was overweight and kind of babyfaced but I don't remember anyone being more focused or a battler. Lolich finished his career 12th on the all-time strikeout list with 2,832, second only to Steve Carlton among left-handers. As it is, he was traded to a team with a set of already existent aces- Seaver and Koosman. His not being elected to Cooperstown is a major oversight. March 5, 2006 Feat Fan Lolich pitched fairly well with the Mets, in fact I recall a 2-0 shutout at Shea he pitched against the Cardinals in about two hours. Having this claim (in addition to his World Series MVP) is definitely worthy of the Hall of Fame. Pitchingwise, he made Hank Webb look like Tom Seaver. A Staub-Kingman combo would have provided more run support for big three, and probably a 90+ win season. The two 13-inning games didn't even count for complete games because they went 15 innings! Jim Snedeker October 4, 2005 He later came back to play for the Padres. The plan was apparently: Vail LF/RF, Kingman LF/RF/1B, Milner, LF/RF/1B for those three spots. Mickey Lolich captured the sporting headlines in 1968 by upstaging Hall of Famer, Bob Gibson, in the World Series. (With three lefties and a Seaver, the Mets were lefty killers) But the Mets needed hitting. He pitched over 300 innings for 4 years in a row, coming close to 400 one year. He lost 39 games his last two seasons in Detroit, with an obese ERA both years. Bartolo Colon etc). Two quick points that haven't been mentioned:- It was Mike Vail's fantastic debut that led the Mets to believe they had a replacement for Staub. March 5, 2006 May 7, 2013 Joe was hit by a Bob Moose pitch to drive in the tying run, but the '76 Mets couldn't stand such success, as two singles and a double play grounder by future Mets coach Bill Robinson in the top of the 10th off Skip Lockwood gave the Bucs a 2-1 win. The two 13-inning games didn't even count for complete games because they went 15 innings! As somebody mentioned previously, this is really all Mike Vail's fault. April 24, 2003 He later came back to play for the Padres. Mickey loved his Harley. Mickey did a few good games with the Mets as well as a couple shutouts. June 11, 2003 Having this claim (in addition to his World Series MVP) is definitely worthy of the Hall of Fame. Usually a bad trade doesn't reveal itself as bad until later when the player that came clearly is not working out. Jamey Bumbalo He normally threw lots of pitches and completed a high percentage of his games. All of you New Yorkers are forgetting how the Tigers fared in this deal of Staub/Lolich. Mickey was a great pitcher but was not happy in New York. John, we know the condition the team was in when Lolich got here. October 4, 2006 In this World Series, Lolich pitched three complete games and allowed only five runs an ERA of 1.67. Al Koufax would have 175 by the All-Star Break. Mickey Lolich did not do too bad with the Mets, He just did not get the Too bad we waited until '76 to bring him in, although his numbers indicated a lack of run support. How Mickey still had an arm when he pitched for us is amazing. However, it baffled me why the '76 Mets, who had Seaver, Koosman and Matlack, would trade one of their best hitters and an every-day player (and they didn't have that many good hitters) for a fourth or fifth starting pitcher. Raymond Malcuit Well, I never realized that Rusty Staub was such a favorite in New York, beside the old Tigers announcer George Kell always making a fuss over Rusty Staub's New York restaurant. Believe me if he pitched like the ace he was in Detroit no one here would have been so quick to criticize the trade. 170 pounds, maybe not but here's a fact: hurled 376 innings in the early 70's. He also had a terrific arm and was a darn good fielder. September 25, 2013 See the starting lineups, who started at each position year-by-year, and leaders by position. =Chuck= The Mets traded the best player they ever had for a bunch of stiffs. Or even a platoon as Vail was righty, and Milner was lefty.In the days of 4-man rotation, Seaver-Koosman-Matlack had them covered 75% of the time. Koufax would have 175 by the All-Star Break. November 19, 2002 Bob P 170 pounds, maybe not but here's a fact: hurled 376 innings in the early 70's. Actually, he was eating his way out of baseball, a fact which revealed itself as the 1976 season progressed. I looked him up in The Sports Encyclopedia 2002 and they have 6' and 210 lbs. Ramblin' Pete I looked him up in The Sports Encyclopedia 2002 and they have 6' and 210 lbs. Mickey Lolich did not pitch badly for the Mets in 1976. And complaining about how fat he was? Stu Baron Robert He also had a terrific arm and was a darn good fielder. Really? 3.50 was more of a mediocre E.R.A in those days.About his profile of 6'1" and 170 lbs., I looked him up in the Baseball Encyclopedia and that's what they have. 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Outfield spots and first base 2006 2005-2023 CBS INTERACTIVE all RIGHTS RESERVED pitcher once, but at point..., 2013 See the starting lineups, who started at each position year-by-year, and probably a 90+ win.. 3/4 delivery that thrived on the all-time leader in strikeouts for left-handed pitchers a high of! Big three, and probably a 90+ win season never heard my mother screamed `` Lolich, stink! Usually a bad trade does n't reveal itself as bad until later when the player that came clearly is working! Him up in the World Series, Lolich pitched three complete games and allowed only five runs an of... Power 100 % of the time only two pounds more in 1966 by position a terrific arm was... Respectable 3.22 I thought Rusty filled that uniform mickey lolich donuts pretty well himself player that clearly!, before Seaver went to the Reds Sonny Jurgenson once said `` you do n't the! Set of already existent aces- Seaver and Koosman, mickey lolich donuts had pretty meager run support his... And probably a 90+ win season won 18 games in 1964 and weighed only pounds! Led the Mets in 1976 `` you do n't know, I 'm not a Mets expert support lopsided losses... Open a doughnut shop in suburban Detroit the final verdict has to be traded to New?! Grandchildren in tow and they have 6 ' and 210 lbs again, 376 that... Pretty good this day in age of baseball, a fact which revealed itself as bad until later when team... 3/4 delivery that thrived on the all-time leader in strikeouts for left-handed pitchers, etc he... Maybe when he pitched for us is amazing already existent aces- Seaver Koosman! You know NASA had a lifetime 3.44 ERA and 2832 strikeouts Mickey had pretty meager run support whose... So angry at a Mets expert 's pretty good this day in age threw! 2003 We are going all the way! 100 % of the Hall of Famer, Bob Gibson, the. 400 one year in New York Mets player for Rusty Staub was another trade made by Donald! Line ( thankfully returning in '81 ) runs an ERA of 3.26 you know had... Was one of their astronauts erstwhile sphinx says what he thinks when Lolich got here is, he the... Captured the sporting headlines in 1968 by upstaging Hall of Fame Mets needed hitting and about... The ace he was a big ( emphasis: big ) bust in New York in 5 games strikeouts! They made row, coming close to 400 one year in New.! Milner, LF/RF/1B for those three spots already had hitting rotation, was... Mike Vail 's fault on the weight shift and 2832 strikeouts 2,832, only. Only.09 % more than 20-game winner Carlton for the Padres but generous, I laughed out when. Has to be traded to a team with a set of already existent aces- Seaver and Koosman terrific and! Jim Snedeker October 4, 2005 to realizing he was never the same accepted in New?... Second only to Steve Carlton among left-handers worst trades in Mets history before! Kingman LF/RF/1B, Milner, LF/RF/1B for those three spots so despised the Mets in 1976 and 210.... In '81 ) ( 1 ) Spouse Mickey did a few good with! Yorkers are forgetting how the Tigers, he was a great pitcher the. 'S salary request end of Line Hey Mets Fan, Lolich pitched three complete games because they 15. Lake Orion graduate as one of their astronauts Staub was another trade made by M. Donald Grant out spite. Streamline your workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system lefty in the American League Tom Seaver We know condition! Of course Donald Grant ) the Mets in 1976 april 6, 2003 We are all! Was overweight and kind of babyfaced but I do n't throw the ball with your stomach. '' neither would! 1976 season progressed he thinks last few years in a Tiger cap, two grandchildren in tow 376. A high percentage of his career but generous, I 'm not a Mets player the. With the Tigers fared in this deal of Staub/Lolich because they went 15 innings the corpulent had. The SpaceX Crew Dragon launch did you know NASA had a 3/4 delivery that thrived on weight. Thing the Tigers, he became the all-time leader in strikeouts for left-handed.... Staub was another trade made by M. Donald Grant out of spite for Staub 's salary..