Editing Detroit Tigers (section)

===1968–1972===

====Glory in '68: 1968 World Series Champions====
{{Main|1968 Detroit Tigers season}}
The Tigers finally returned to the World Series in 1968. The team grabbed first place from the [[1968 Baltimore Orioles season|Baltimore Orioles]] on May 10 and would not relinquish the position, clinching the pennant on September 17 and finishing with a 103–59 record.<ref>{{cite web|first=John|last=Steckroth|title=From the vault: 1968's 'The Year of the Tiger'|url=https://www.clickondetroit.com/features/from-the-vault-1968s-the-year-of-the-tiger|website=ClickOnDetroit.com|date=April 7, 2017|access-date=September 12, 2018|archive-date=September 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913002251/https://www.clickondetroit.com/features/from-the-vault-1968s-the-year-of-the-tiger|url-status=dead}}</ref> In a year that was marked by dominant pitching, starter Denny McLain went 31–6 (with a 1.96 ERA), the first time a pitcher had won 30 or more games in a season since Dizzy Dean accomplished the feat in 1934; no pitcher has accomplished it since.<ref name=Herzog>{{cite web|first=Bob|last=Herzog|title=A look back at 1968, the year of the pitcher|url=https://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/denny-mcclain-bob-gibson-1968-year-of-the-pitcher-1.17683171|website=Newsday|date=March 27, 2018|access-date=September 12, 2018|archive-date=September 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180912204648/https://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/denny-mcclain-bob-gibson-1968-year-of-the-pitcher-1.17683171|url-status=dead}}</ref> McLain won the AL MVP and [[Cy Young Award]] for his efforts.<ref>{{cite web|title=1968 American League Most Valuable Player Award voting results|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_1968.shtml#ALmvp|website=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=September 12, 2018|archive-date=March 30, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090330112109/http://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_1968.shtml#ALmvp|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=1968 American League Cy Young Award voting results|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_1968.shtml#all_AL_CYA_voting|website=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=September 12, 2018|archive-date=March 30, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090330112109/http://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_1968.shtml#all_AL_CYA_voting|url-status=live}}</ref>

=====1968 World Series=====
{{main|1968 World Series}}
[[File:1968 World Series program and tickets.jpg|thumb|right|1968 World Series program and tickets for Games 4 and 5 at [[Tiger Stadium (Detroit)|Tiger Stadium]]]]
In the 1968 World Series, the Tigers met the defending World Series champion [[1968 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis Cardinals]], led by starter [[Bob Gibson]], who had posted a modern-era record 1.12 ERA during the regular season, and speedy outfielder [[Lou Brock]].<ref name=Herzog/><ref>{{cite web|first=Jonah|last=Keri|title=Forty years later, Gibson's 1.12 ERA remains magic number|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/blackhistory2008/columns/story?page=keri/080221|website=ESPN.com|date=February 7, 2008|access-date=September 12, 2018|archive-date=September 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913040039/http://www.espn.com/espn/blackhistory2008/columns/story?page=keri/080221|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Brock, Lou|url=https://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/brock-lou|website=Baseball Hall of Fame|access-date=September 12, 2018|archive-date=October 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171029052857/http://baseballhall.org/hof/brock-lou|url-status=live}}</ref> This was the first time the Tigers and Cardinals had met in the World Series since 1934.<ref name="1968 Game 7">{{cite web|first=Jerry|last=Nechal|title=October 10, 1968: Lolich outduels Gibson in dramatic Game Seven victory|url=https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/october-10-1968-lolich-outduels-gibson-dramatic-game-seven-victory|website=Society for American Baseball Research|access-date=September 13, 2018|archive-date=September 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914022710/https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/october-10-1968-lolich-outduels-gibson-dramatic-game-seven-victory|url-status=live}}</ref> The series was predicated with a bold decision by manager Mayo Smith to play center fielder Mickey Stanley at shortstop, replacing the slick fielding but weak hitting of [[Ray Oyler]].<ref name="Hall SI">{{cite web|first=Donald|last=Hall|title=How a Stopgap Shortstop Won a World Series|url=https://www.si.com/vault/1988/10/17/118693/how-a-stopgap-shortstop-won-a-world-series|website=SI.com|date=October 17, 1988|access-date=September 12, 2018|archive-date=September 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913040108/https://www.si.com/vault/1988/10/17/118693/how-a-stopgap-shortstop-won-a-world-series|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Decisions>{{cite web|title=Greatest coaching decisions|url=https://www.espn.com/endofcentury/s/other/coaches.html|website=ESPN.com|access-date=September 12, 2018|archive-date=July 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170704124914/http://www.espn.com/endofcentury/s/other/coaches.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Stanley had never played shortstop before, but was a Gold Glover in the outfield and an excellent athlete.<ref name="Hall SI"/> Smith played him at short for the final nine games of the regular season and all seven World Series games, with Oyler only appearing as a late-inning defensive replacement.<ref name="Hall SI"/><ref name=Decisions/> This allowed Smith to play an outfield of Willie Horton, Jim Northrup and Al Kaline in every game.<ref name="Hall SI"/><ref name=Decisions/>

In Game 1, Gibson completely shut down the Detroit lineup, striking out a World Series record 17 batters en route to an easy 4–0 win.<ref>{{cite web|first=Craig|last=Muder|title=Bob Gibson fans 17 Tigers in Game 1 of 1968 World Series|url=https://baseballhall.org/discover/inside-pitch/bob-gibson-strikeout-record|website=Baseball Hall of Fame|access-date=September 12, 2018|archive-date=September 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913002551/https://baseballhall.org/discover/inside-pitch/bob-gibson-strikeout-record|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=1968 World Series Game 1, Tigers at Cardinals, October 2|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SLN/SLN196810020.shtml|website=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=September 12, 2018|archive-date=September 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913002311/https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SLN/SLN196810020.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> However, due in no small part to pitcher Mickey Lolich's victories in Games 2 and 5, the Tigers climbed back into the World Series.<ref name="1968 Freep">{{cite web|first=Ryan|last=Ford|title=The Tigers' 1968 World Series victory: Seven games to glory|url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2018/09/07/detroit-tigers-seven-games-1968-world-series-glory/1207158002/|website=Detroit Free Press|date=September 7, 2018|access-date=September 13, 2018|archive-date=November 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108204226/https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2018/09/07/detroit-tigers-seven-games-1968-world-series-glory/1207158002/|url-status=live}}</ref> Many fans believe the turning point came in the fifth inning of Game 5, with the Tigers down three games to one, and trailing in the game, 3–2. Left fielder Willie Horton made a perfect throw to home plate to nail Lou Brock, who tried to score from second base standing up, as catcher [[Bill Freehan]] blocked the plate with his foot.<ref name="1968 Freep"/><ref name=Paul>{{cite web|first=Tony|last=Paul|title=Fifty years later, 1968 Detroit Tigers can't forget World Series-changing play|url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2018/09/05/fifty-years-later-1968-detroit-tigers-cant-forget-world-series-changing-play/1208379002/|website=The Detroit News|date=September 5, 2018|access-date=September 13, 2018|archive-date=November 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130121209/https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2018/09/05/fifty-years-later-1968-detroit-tigers-cant-forget-world-series-changing-play/1208379002/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Tigers came back with three runs in the seventh to win that game, 5–3, and stay alive.<ref name="1968 Freep"/><ref name=Paul/> The Cardinals would not threaten to score the rest of this game, and scored only two more meaningless runs over the remainder of the series. In Game 6, McLain ensured a Game 7 by notching his only win of the World Series, a 13–1 blowout, despite pitching on only two days' rest.<ref name="1968 Freep"/>
[[File:Mickey Lolich 1975.jpg|thumb|upright|left|[[Mickey Lolich]] was the 1968 World Series MVP]]

In Game 7 at [[Busch Memorial Stadium]], Lolich, also pitching on two days' rest, faced Gibson.<ref name="1968 Game 7"/> Both men pitched brilliantly, putting zeros up on the scoreboard for much of the game.<ref name="1968 Game 7"/> In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Cardinals looked primed to take the lead as Lou Brock singled to lead off the inning, only to be promptly picked off by Lolich.<ref name="1968 Game 7"/> One out later, [[Curt Flood]] followed with another single, and was also picked off by Lolich.<ref name="1968 Game 7"/> In the top of the seventh, an exhausted Gibson finally cracked, giving up two-out singles to Norm Cash and Willie Horton.<ref name="1968 Game 7"/> Jim Northrup then struck the decisive blow, lashing a triple to center field over the head of Flood, who appeared to misjudge how hard the ball was hit.<ref name="1968 Game 7"/> That scored both Cash and Horton; Northrup himself was then brought home by a Bill Freehan double.<ref name="1968 Game 7"/> Detroit added an insurance run in the ninth.<ref name="1968 Game 7"/> A ninth-inning solo home run by [[Mike Shannon]] was all the Cardinals could muster against Lolich as the Tigers took the game, 4–1, and the World Series, 4–3.<ref name="1968 Game 7"/><ref name="1968 Freep"/> 

The Tigers became only the third team to ever win the World Series after being down 3–1.<ref name="1968 Game 7"/> For his three victories that propelled the Tigers to the championship, Lolich was named the [[World Series MVP Award|World Series Most Valuable Player]].<ref name="1968 Game 7"/><ref name="1968 Freep"/> {{As of|2024}}, Lolich is the last pitcher to have three complete-game victories in a single World Series.<ref name=Lolich/><ref name="1968 Game 7"/>

====1969–1971====
1969 saw further expansion as both leagues realigned into two divisions of six teams, and the Tigers were placed in the [[American League East]].<ref>{{cite web|first=Tom|last=Ruane|title=A Retro-Review of the 1960s|url=https://www.retrosheet.org/Research/RuaneT/rev1960_art.htm#A1969|website=Retrosheet|access-date=September 17, 2018|archive-date=September 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918054417/https://www.retrosheet.org/Research/RuaneT/rev1960_art.htm#A1969|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="1969 AL">{{cite web|title=1969 American League Season Summary|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1969.shtml|website=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=September 17, 2018|archive-date=September 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918054642/https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1969.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> That year, [[1969 Detroit Tigers season|Detroit]] failed to defend its title, despite Denny McLain having another outstanding season with a 24–9 campaign, earning him his second straight Cy Young Award (co-winner with Baltimore's [[Mike Cuellar]]).<ref>{{cite web|title=1969 American League Cy Young Award voting results|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_1969.shtml#all_AL_CYA_voting|website=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=September 17, 2018|archive-date=February 1, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201085337/http://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_1969.shtml#all_AL_CYA_voting|url-status=live}}</ref> The Tigers' 90 wins placed them a distant second in the division to a very strong [[1969 Baltimore Orioles season|Baltimore Orioles team]], which had won 109 games.<ref name="1969 AL"/><ref>{{cite web|title=MLB's winningest seasons|url=https://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/mlb-s-winningest-seasons-1.3077797|website=Newsday|date=February 25, 2016|access-date=September 17, 2018|archive-date=September 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918061540/https://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/mlb-s-winningest-seasons-1.3077797|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Tigers suffered a disappointing 1970 season, finishing fourth in the AL East with a 79–83 record.<ref>{{cite web|title=1970 American League Season Summary|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1970.shtml|website=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=September 20, 2018|archive-date=November 3, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111103170305/http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1970.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> Following the season, Mayo Smith was let go and was replaced by [[Billy Martin]].<ref>{{cite web|first=Bruce|last=Markusen|title=Mayo Smith deserves to remembered for what he did – and didn't do – as a Tigers' manager|url=https://www.vintagedetroit.com/blog/2014/11/26/mayo-smith-deserves-remembered-didnt-tigers-manager/|website=Vintage Detroit|date=November 26, 2014|access-date=January 15, 2020|archive-date=January 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200115221944/https://www.vintagedetroit.com/blog/2014/11/26/mayo-smith-deserves-remembered-didnt-tigers-manager/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Bruce|last=Markusen|title=Billy Martin infused veteran Tiger team with new life in early 1970s|url=https://www.vintagedetroit.com/blog/2013/11/11/billy-martin-infused-veteran-tiger-team-with-new-life-in-early-1970s/|website=Vintage Detroit|date=November 11, 2013|access-date=January 15, 2020|archive-date=January 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116063816/https://www.vintagedetroit.com/blog/2013/11/11/billy-martin-infused-veteran-tiger-team-with-new-life-in-early-1970s/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=Martin>{{cite web|first=Nick|last=Acocella|title=Billy battled opponents, himself|url=https://www.espn.com/classic/biography/s/Martin_Billy.html|website=ESPN.com|access-date=September 20, 2018|archive-date=October 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003160748/http://www.espn.com/classic/biography/s/Martin_Billy.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In a playing career that was primarily spent with the [[New York Yankees]], Martin played his final games with the [[Minnesota Twins]] and stayed in that organization after his retirement.<ref name=Martin/> He managed the Twins to an AL West Division title in [[1969 Minnesota Twins season|1969]], but was fired after that season due to rocky relationships with his players, which included a legendary fight with pitcher [[Dave Boswell (baseball)|Dave Boswell]] in an alley behind Detroit's Lindell AC sports bar.<ref name=Martin/><ref>{{cite web|first=Bill|last=Dow|title=Remembering Detroit's Original Sports Bar: The Lindell AC|url=https://www.vintagedetroit.com/blog/2009/07/27/remembering-detroit%e2%80%99s-original-sports-bar-the-lindell-ac/|website=Vintage Detroit|date=July 29, 2009|access-date=January 15, 2020|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308130338/https://www.vintagedetroit.com/blog/2009/07/27/remembering-detroit%E2%80%99s-original-sports-bar-the-lindell-ac/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Also during the offseason, Denny McLain, who had been suspended three times and had a 3–5 record, was part of an eight-player deal with the [[Texas Rangers (baseball)#Washington Senators (1961–1971)|Washington Senators]] in what would turn out to be a heist for Detroit.<ref name="1970 trade">[https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1842&dat=19701010&id=JBQsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=rsgEAAAAIBAJ&pg=927,1362568 Bad Boy Denny Back in Baseball] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225034848/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1842&dat=19701010&id=JBQsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=rsgEAAAAIBAJ&pg=927,1362568 |date=February 25, 2021 }}, ''TimesDaily'', Florence, Alabama, October 10, 1970</ref><ref name=Acocella>{{cite web|first=Nick|last=Acocella|title=From the big time to the big house|url=https://www.espn.com/classic/biography/s/McLain_Denny.html|website=ESPN.com|access-date=September 20, 2018|archive-date=August 31, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831020841/http://www.espn.com/classic/biography/s/McLain_Denny.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="McLain trade">{{cite web|title=Looking at a few of the worst deals in baseball history|url=https://www.theoaklandpress.com/news/looking-at-a-few-of-the-worst-deals-in-baseball/article_2013ede8-3a81-53c3-9dcc-fde063aa9626.html|website=The Oakland Press|date=July 22, 2007|access-date=September 20, 2018|archive-date=September 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921034303/https://www.theoaklandpress.com/news/looking-at-a-few-of-the-worst-deals-in-baseball/article_2013ede8-3a81-53c3-9dcc-fde063aa9626.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=Maddox>{{cite web|first=Bruce|last=Markusen|title=Elliott Maddox was part of lopsided deal that sent Denny McLain to Senators|url=https://www.vintagedetroit.com/blog/2015/01/08/elliott-maddox-part-lopsided-deal-sent-denny-mclain-senators/|website=Vintage Detroit|date=January 8, 2015|access-date=January 15, 2020|archive-date=January 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116065336/https://www.vintagedetroit.com/blog/2015/01/08/elliott-maddox-part-lopsided-deal-sent-denny-mclain-senators/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Tigers acquired pitcher [[Joe Coleman (1970s pitcher)|Joe Coleman]], shortstop [[Eddie Brinkman]] and third baseman [[Aurelio Rodríguez]].<ref name="1970 trade"/><ref name="McLain trade"/><ref name=Maddox/>

Martin's [[1971 Detroit Tigers season|Tigers]] posted 91 wins in 1971. However, they had to settle for a second-place finish behind the Orioles, who won 101 games to take their third straight AL East Division crown.<ref>{{cite web|title=1971 American League Season Summary|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1971.shtml|website=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=September 21, 2018|archive-date=September 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922024754/https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1971.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> The season was highlighted by Mickey Lolich's 308 strikeouts, which led the AL and is still the single-season record in franchise history.<ref name=Lolich/> Lolich also won 25 games and posted a 2.92 ERA while throwing an incredible 376 innings and completing 29 of his 45 starts.<ref name="1971 Tigers">{{cite web|title=1971 Detroit Tigers Statistics|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/DET/1971.shtml|website=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=September 21, 2018|archive-date=September 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922024842/https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/DET/1971.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Peter J.|last=Wallner|title=Mickey Lolich, after 3,600 innings without surgery, says today's pitchers are 'coddled'|url=https://www.mlive.com/whitecaps/index.ssf/2016/08/mickey_lolich_shares_secret_ho.html|website=MLive|date=August 11, 2016|access-date=September 21, 2018|archive-date=September 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922024655/https://www.mlive.com/whitecaps/index.ssf/2016/08/mickey_lolich_shares_secret_ho.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Coleman paid immediate dividends for Detroit, winning 20 games,<ref name="1971 Tigers"/> while McLain went 10–22 for the Senators and was out of baseball by the following season.<ref name=Acocella/><ref name="McLain trade"/><ref>{{cite web|first=Ira|last=Berkow|title=BASEBALL; In a Lifetime Full of Second Chances, Denny McLain Receives His Biggest|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/29/sports/baseball-in-a-lifetime-full-of-second-chances-denny-mclain-receives-his-biggest.html|website=The New York Times|date=December 29, 2003|access-date=September 20, 2018|archive-date=September 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921041929/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/29/sports/baseball-in-a-lifetime-full-of-second-chances-denny-mclain-receives-his-biggest.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

====1972 AL East Champions====
{{Main|1972 Detroit Tigers season}}
Joe Coleman, Eddie Brinkman and Aurelio Rodríguez all played critical roles in 1972, when the Tigers captured their first AL East division title.<ref name="McLain trade"/><ref name=Quirk>{{cite web|first=Dan|last=Holmes|title=Quirk in schedule helped Tigers to the AL East Division title in '72|url=https://www.vintagedetroit.com/blog/2013/07/12/quirk-in-schedule-gave-72-tigers-the-al-east-division-title/|website=Vintage Detroit|date=July 12, 2013|access-date=January 15, 2020|archive-date=January 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200115221901/https://www.vintagedetroit.com/blog/2013/07/12/quirk-in-schedule-gave-72-tigers-the-al-east-division-title/|url-status=live}}</ref> Oddities of the schedule due to an early season strike allowed the 86–70 Tigers to win the division by just {{frac|1|2}} game.<ref name=Quirk/><ref name="1972 Detroit Tigers Statistics">{{cite web|title=1972 Detroit Tigers Statistics|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/DET/1972.shtml|website=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=September 21, 2018|archive-date=July 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711001156/https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/DET/1972.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> Brinkman was named Tiger of the Year by the Detroit Baseball Writers, despite a .203 batting average, as he committed just 7 errors in 728 chances (.990 fielding percentage). He also had a streak of 72 games and 331 chances without an error during the season, both AL records for a shortstop.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/det/history/awards.jsp |title=Tigers Awards |publisher=[[Major League Baseball|MLB]] |date=June 19, 2012 |access-date=January 27, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724133801/http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/det/history/awards.jsp |archive-date=July 24, 2011 }}</ref> Mickey Lolich was his steady self for the Tigers, winning 22 games with a sparkling 2.50 ERA, while Coleman won 19 and had a 2.80 ERA.<ref name="1972 Detroit Tigers Statistics"/> Starter [[Woodie Fryman]], acquired on August 2, was the final piece of the puzzle as he went 10–3 over the last two months of the regular season and posted a minuscule 2.06 ERA.<ref name=Fryman>{{cite web|first=Bruce|last=Markusen|title=Fryman's heroic pitching efforts down the stretch in '72 make him a Tiger for life|url=https://www.vintagedetroit.com/blog/2013/10/30/frymans-heroic-pitching-efforts-down-the-stretch-in-72-make-him-a-tiger-for-life/|website=Vintage Detroit|date=October 30, 2013|access-date=January 15, 2020|archive-date=January 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200115222101/https://www.vintagedetroit.com/blog/2013/10/30/frymans-heroic-pitching-efforts-down-the-stretch-in-72-make-him-a-tiger-for-life/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Fryman was also the winning pitcher in the division-clinching game against the [[Boston Red Sox]], a 3–1 victory on October 3.<ref name=Fryman/><ref>{{cite web|title=Boston Red Sox at Detroit Tigers Box Score, October 3, 1972|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/DET/DET197210030.shtml|website=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=September 21, 2018|archive-date=September 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922024614/https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/DET/DET197210030.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>

=====1972 ALCS=====
{{main|1972 American League Championship Series}}

In the 1972 American League Championship Series, Detroit faced the American League West division champion [[1972 Oakland Athletics season|Oakland Athletics]], who had become steadily competitive ever since the 1969 realignment.<ref name="1972 ALCS">{{cite web|first=Patrick|last=OKennedy|title=Playoff flashback, 1972: Oakland A's vs Detroit Tigers|url=https://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/9/30/4781516/playoff-flashback-1972-oakland-as-vs-detroit-tigers|website=Bless You Boys|date=September 30, 2013|access-date=September 23, 2018|archive-date=September 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924033820/https://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/9/30/4781516/playoff-flashback-1972-oakland-as-vs-detroit-tigers|url-status=live}}</ref> In Game 1 of the ALCS in Oakland, Mickey Lolich, the hero of '68, took the hill and allowed just one run over nine innings. The Athletics' ace, [[Catfish Hunter]], matched Lolich, surrendering only a solo home run to Norm Cash, and the game went into extra innings.<ref name="1972 ALCS"/> Al Kaline hit a solo homer to break a 1–1 tie in the top of the 11th inning, only to be charged with a throwing error on [[Gonzalo Márquez]]'s game-tying single in the bottom half of the frame that allowed [[Gene Tenace]] to score the winning run.<ref name="1972 ALCS"/> [[Blue Moon Odom]] shut down Detroit 5–0 in Game 2.<ref name="1972 ALCS"/> The end of Game 2 was marred by an ugly incident in which Tigers reliever [[Lerrin LaGrow]] hit A's shortstop and leadoff hitter [[Bert Campaneris]] on the ankle with a pitch. An angered Campaneris threw the bat at LaGrow, and LaGrow ducked just in time for the bat to sail over his head. Both benches cleared, and though no punches were thrown, both LaGrow and Campaneris were suspended for the remainder of the series. It was widely believed that Martin had ordered the pitch that hit Campaneris, who had three hits, two stolen bases and two runs scored in the game.<ref name="1972 ALCS"/>

As the series shifted to Detroit, the Tigers caught their stride. Joe Coleman held the A's scoreless on seven hits in Game 3, striking out 14 batters in a 3–0 victory for the Tigers.<ref name="1972 ALCS"/><ref>{{cite web|title=1972 American League Championship Series (ALCS) Game 3, Oakland Athletics at Detroit Tigers, October 10, 1972|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/DET/DET197210100.shtml|website=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=September 23, 2018|archive-date=March 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309010748/https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/DET/DET197210100.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> Game 4 was another pitchers' duel between Hunter and Lolich, resulting again in a 1–1 tie at the end of nine innings. Oakland scored two runs in the top of the 10th and put the Tigers down to their last three outs.<ref name="1972 ALCS"/> Detroit pushed two runs across the plate to tie the game before Jim Northrup came through in the clutch again. His single off [[Dave Hamilton (baseball)|Dave Hamilton]] scored [[Gates Brown]] to give the Tigers a 4–3 win and even the series at two games apiece.<ref name="1972 ALCS"/>

A first-inning run on an RBI ground out from Bill Freehan, set up by a Gene Tenace passed ball that allowed [[Dick McAuliffe]] to reach third, gave Detroit an early lead in the deciding fifth and final game in Detroit.<ref name="1972 ALCS"/> [[Reggie Jackson]]'s steal of home in the second inning tied it up, though Jackson was injured in a collision with Freehan and had to leave the game.<ref name="1972 ALCS"/> Tenace's two-out single to left field plated [[George Hendrick]] to give Oakland a 2–1 lead in the fourth inning. The run was controversial to many Tigers fans, as Hendrick was ruled safe at first base two batters prior to the Tenace hit. Hendrick appeared to be out by two steps on a grounder to short, but umpire John Rice ruled that Norm Cash pulled his foot off first base. Replays and photos, however, show that Cash did not pull his foot.<ref name=Northrup/><ref name="1972 ALCS"/> Thanks to that play and four innings of scoreless relief from [[Vida Blue]], the A's took the AL pennant and a spot in the [[1972 World Series|World Series]].<ref name="1972 ALCS"/>