Mickey Lolich made his last public appearance at Comerica Park in 2023. He was in a wheelchair. When he left, he insisted on standing up to say goodbye. Willie Horton & Mickey Stanley helped lift him up and he waved goodbye. I snapped this photo feeling the gravity of the moment.

10 comments

1. I met Mickey Lolich at a Red Wings game in 1998 when I was 11 years old. He and Kirk Gibson were sitting next to us. My friend and I ran to the concessions stand and asked for a pad of paper and a pen (they actually gave it to us) and we got both of their signatures. Cool memory. I still have the signed piece of paper!

2. Always thought of him as a HOF’er.

3. In the twenty-teens he came to sign autographs at LMCU Ballpark (A-Ball West Michigan Whitecaps) for Tiger Friday.

   They capped the line once it went around the park. They were then going to cut the existing line too, but Lolich insisted they had waited their turns patiently, he would greet them all.

   Class act of a man.

4. This is awesome.

5. Bravo. Thank you.

6. Great instincts on your part. It’s a great photo.

7. Back in 2009 i won a 1 on 1 pitching lesson with Mickey, he was a great guy and it was a memory I’ll never forget

8. He’s the people’s champ.

9. Rest in peace to a great man

10. So many great memories.
    I recall an interview where he said he got his arm strength by tossing a ball bearing that was the size of his hand.
    That world series home run though :°)