DETROIT – The 1968 Tigers have secured a very special place in the hearts of Detroit baseball fans. They brought a sense of unity to the city after the 1967 race riots, and won the club’s first World Series in 23 years with an endearing collection of talented players.
A dozen players from that team, along with a coach and broadcaster, will be honored before Saturday’s game with the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park. Festivities – which include a scoreboard video tribute – begin at 3:40 p.m., about 30 minutes before the game’s first pitch.
Mickey Lolich, the 1968 World Series MVP, will attend along with '68 American League MVP and Cy Young Award winner Denny McLain, who went 31-6. Hall of Famer Al Kaline, now a club official, also will be among the returning heroes.
Jose Feliciano is scheduled to sing “The Star Spangled Banner,” just as he did before Game 5 of the World Series on Oct. 7, 1968. Feliciano did the honors after being contacted by Tigers radio voice Ernie Harwell, his life-long friend, and his bluesy rendition was controversial at the time.
Current Tigers radio play-by-play announcer Dan Dickerson will serve as the master of ceremonies, and the first 10,000 fans also will receive a commemorative coin courtesy of Belle Tire.
Tigers players confirmed to be attending:
Wayne Comer, outfielder
John Hiller, relief pitcher
Al Kaline, right fielder
Mickey Lolich, starting pitcher
Tom Matchick, infielder
Denny McLain, starting pitcher
Jim Price, catcher
Mickey Stanley, center fielder-shortstop
Dick Tracewski, infielder
Jon Warden, relief pitcher
Don Wert, third baseman
Daryl Patterson, relief pitcher
Hal Naragon, coach
Ray Lane, broadcaster
Ten players who appeared for the Tigers in 1968 are deceased. They are listed with their position, and date, age and city at time of death, according to www.baseball-reference.com:
Norm Cash, 1B, 10-12-86 (51), Beaver Island, Mich.
Bob Christian, OF, 2-20-74 (28), San Diego
Pat Dobson, P, 11-22-06 (64), San Diego
Eddie Mathews, 3B-1B, 2-18-01 (69), La Jolla, Calif.
Don McMahon, P, 7-27-87 (57), Los Angeles
Jim Northrup, OF, 6-8-11 (71), Grand Blanc, Mich.
Ray Oyler, SS, 1-26-81 (42), Redmond, Wash.
Joe Sparma, P, 5-14-86 (44), Columbus, Ohio
Earl Wilson, P, 4-23-05 (70), Southfield, Mich.
John Wyatt, P, 4-6-98 (62), Omaha, Neb.
