Game Six of the 1968 World Series
Tigers Even the Score Behind McLain's Rebound and Force Seventh Game
Aug 6, 2008
The Tigers hadn't given up on McLain, who failed to extinguish the bats of the St. Louis Cardinals in his first two World Series appearances. After their dramatic victory in Game Five, they sent their season's ace to the mound in St. Louis for the sixth game to try to even the Series.
Detroit's task to take the championship was to win two in a row in the Cardinals' yard. If a seventh game was to be played, the Birds would send their ace, Bob Gibson, to the hill to close the deal. The righthanded hurler was one of the toughest in either league in 1968, and he had already flown to victory twice against the Detroit club in the Series.
McLain's Year of 31 Wins
In the year of the Tiger, 1968, McLain had mowed down opponent after opponent, and won games in the Tigers' final at bats as well. His 30th win of the year couldn't have been more dramatic as the Tigers put together a ninth inning rally in Detroit to give their ace the record-tying victory.
Jay Hanna "Dizzy" Dean ironically labored for the old St. Louis Cardinals in 1934 when he set the standard of 30 wins on the year. McLain tied that record September 14 against Oakland.
Somehow, Detroit's bats were there for McLain all season. They would be again, finally, in McLain's third try in the Series. Detroit won going away, 13 to 1.
Northrup's Grand Slam Leads Game Six
Playing centerfield in replacement of Mickey Stanley, whom Manager Mayo Smith had moved to shortstop, Jim Northrup led the Tiger hitting in Game Six of the Series. Northrup erupted for a grand slam that slammed the door on the Cardinals and Ray Washburn, who had beaten the Tigers in Game Three.
Northrup and outfield partner Al Kaline both drove in eight runs in the Series and hit two home runs apiece. Kaline's 11 hits from 29 at bats led the Tigers, while Northrup went seven for 28 in hitting for a .250 batting average.
Kaline One of Four .300 Tiger Hitters
It had taken Tiger star, Mr. Tiger, Al Kaline a career's worth of hitting to get to a World Series, and he made the most of it. Kaline led the Tiger bats in the Series in overall performance. He whacked two doubles, two homers, drove in eight runs, batted .379, and scored six runs to go along with his team-leading 11 hits and two four baggers.
First baseman Norm Cash batted .385 with ten hits in 26 at bats. He belted a home run and drove in five runs. Leftfielder Willie Horton batted .304, getting seven hits from 23 at bats, including a double, a triple, and a home run, while scoring six runs. He drove in three runs.
Substitute third baseman Eddie Mathews, who had played in several World Series events for the old Milwaukee Braves, got a hit in three trys at bat to average .333
