#17 October 13

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For the month of October 2024 several of us are participating in the 30-Day World Series Coach4aday Challenge. Each day we attempt to learn something about some aspect of the World Series. Today I am focusing on an MLB Pitcher who struck out 17 batters.

In the Game 1 of the 1968 World Series between the St. Louis Cardinals and Detroit Tigers two of the best pitchers were the starting pitchers for their respective teams. Denny McLain for the Tigers was sporting a 31-6 record and Bob Gibson for the Cardinals would win both the NL MVP and Cy Young Award. One of those hurlers would strike out 17 batters.

World Series 30-Day Challenge Guidelines

Like previous challenges there are no hard and fast rules to participate. There are a few suggested guidelines.

1. Each day in October 2024 write about the World Series
2. Share at least one fact about the event or the participants.
3. If so inclined use the hash tag #Coach4adayChallenge on social media platforms

October 13th-17

Here are some interesting facts about the 1968 World Series where a pitcher struck out 17 batters.

Game 1 of the 1968 World Series between the Detroit Tigers and the St. Louis Cardinals was notable for several reasons. Here are some interesting facts about that game:

1. Bob Gibson’s Record 17 Strikeouts – Cardinals ace Bob Gibson set a World Series record by striking out 17 batters in Game 1, the most ever in a single World Series game. His dominant performance remains one of the most iconic pitching displays in postseason history, as the Cardinals won the game 4-0. Gibson struck out at least one batter in each inning becoming the first pitcher to do that since Ed Walsh in 1906.
2. Mickey Lolich’s Absence – Although Tigers pitcher Mickey Lolich became famous for winning three games in the series, including Game 7, he didn’t pitch in Game 1. Instead, the Tigers sent their ace, Denny McLain, who had won 31 games in the regular season. McLain struggled in Game 1, giving up 4 runs over 5 innings.
3. Pitchers’ Duel Year – The 1968 season was known as the “Year of the Pitcher,” with historically low offensive output across the league, and Game 1 of the World Series fit the mold. Both Gibson and McLain were Cy Young winners in 1968, but Gibson’s performance in Game 1 stood out as one of the most dominant examples of pitching excellence from that era.

This game helped set the tone for an exciting and competitive World Series, which the Tigers eventually won in seven games.