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Dick McAuliffe
The 1968 Detroit Tigers team was a magical one that won the World Series at a time the city badly needed something uplifting -- particularly after the riots the year before.
Dick McAuliffe was part of that special team. On Friday, he died at age 76, the Detroit Free Press reports.
A three-time All-Star, McAuliffe was known for his unique batting stance and 1968 fight with Tommy John, George Sipple of the Detroit Free Press writes.
The Freep reports;
Jim Price, a ’68 teammate and analyst for Tigers radio, remembered McAuliffe for his toughness. McAuliffe was involved in a brawl with Chicago White Sox pitcher Tommy John in August, 1968. Price said John “threw it right at his head and Dick charged the mound.”
McAuliffe was suspended five days and fined $250. During the fight, John sustained torn ligaments in his left shoulder and missed the rest of the season. Price recalled another fight McAuliffe was involved with against the Kansas City Athletics.
“I remember a time where a pitcher drilled him,” Price said. “Next time we played them, he led off with a drag bunt. Pitcher came over to field it. (McAuliffe) knocked the pitcher over. Darndest fight you’ve seen. That’s what (McAuliffe) was like.
