by Tim Wendel
126 “I mastered my craft”: Gibson, 1. Ironically, this is the opening line, his “Call me, Ishmael,” of his second memoir.
126 “always gave you a ball to hit”: Gibson and Jackson (this is Jackson’s opinion), 147.
127 Grooving one to Mickey Mantle: McLain, 111–113; Green, 210, Cantor, 154–157.
129 Gibson’s reaction: Gibson, 200.
129 “a nice guy like Roger”: Pappas, 84.
130 Only fastballs to Maris: Ibid., 84–85.
130 “To have any hope”: Ryan interview.
131 Perry’s no-hitter: Associated Press, “Perry Hurls No-Hitter,” September 18, 1968; United Press International, “Mom Misses No-Hitter by Perry,” September 19, 1968; United Press International, ‘“My Biggest Thrill,’ Says Veteran Perry,” September 18, 1968; Gaylord Perry, author interview, August 2001.
131 “They are not”: Shirley Povich, Washington Post, September 20, 1968.
131 Washburn’s no hitter: Associated Press, “Cards’ Washburn Hurls No-Hitter, Second Successive One at Giants’ Park,” September 19, 1968; Harry Jupiter, “Gay, Ray Play No-Hit Tit for Tat,” Sporting News, October 5, 1968.
132 “kind of summed that up”: Perry interview.
132 Candlestick Park: Gillette and Enders, 222–229.
133 “Prayer”: Brett Butler, author interview, September 1990.
134 “culture of the new league”: MacCambridge, 250.
135 Zimmerman on Namath: Ibid., 251.
135 “It was redundant”: Ibid., 262.
136 “meant to . . . pitch”: Tiant interview.
136 “flared like a bull”: Tiant, 69.
137 “bowing the neck”: Ibid.
137 “watch TV ”: Tiant interview.
137 “end of an era”: Mead interview.
138 “I would not trade places with anyone”: Associated Press, “Rose Doesn’t Walk, He Always Hustles,” June 30, 1968.
138 Look out for Lolich: McCarver interview.
139 Smith retools lineup for World Series: Green, 211–213; Cantor, 166–170; Pattison and Raglin, 159–163, 193–196.
140 “Smith was really ahead of his time”: Dave Raglin, author interview, July 6, 2011.
141 “asleep at the switch”: Ibid.
141 Other World Series gambles: Bill Francis, National Baseball Hall of Fame, author interview, September 10, 2011.
142 “started to practice”: Horton interview.
PART VI
145 End of year statistics for 1968: National Baseball Hall of Fame research.
146 “big heart”: Steve Jacobson, “Perfect Match? Gibson vs. McLain,” Newsday , September 28, 1968.
146 “influence of champagne”: Sporting News, October 19, 1968.
146 at Gas House Lounge: McLain, 116; Green, 215–216; Cantor, 183.
148 “Our guys were charged up”: Sporting News, October 19, 1968.
148 Gibson Message to Tigers: Ibid.
148 “just be adequate”: Ibid; Cantor, 171–175.
149 “lay off his high stuff ”: Associated Press, “Cards’ Plan,” October 3, 1968.
149 “Surprised?”: “McLain Stunned at Being Lifted,” St. Louis Post-Dispatch, October 3, 1968.
150 Crowd: “Sinatra Won Crowd, Gibson the Game,” St. Louis Globe-Democrat, October 3, 1968.
150 “I read it on the board”: “Gibson Overwhelms Tigers,” St. Louis Globe-Democrat , October 3, 1968.
151 Gibson strikes out Kaline, Cash and then Horton: Perhaps the best description of this record-breaking sequence belongs to David Halberstam. “Could We Be Friends?” Parade Magazine, July 24, 1994.
151 “the toughest pitcher”: Horton interview.
152 “we can’t beat him”: “Tigers Impressed,” St. Louis Globe-Democrat, October 3, 1968.
152 “wonderful pitcher”: Sporting News, October 19, 1968.
152 “guys who swing for home runs”: “Gibson’s Pitches Slide by Tiger Batters , St. Louis Post-Dispatch, October 3, 1968.
152 back at Gas House: Green, 217.
154 McCarthy roamed the field: “This time Sen. McCarthy Won’t be Shut Out,” Stan Isaacs, Newsday, October 4, 1968; “McCarthy Plays No Favorites,” St. Louis Globe-Democrat, October 4, 1968; Special thanks to former scout Phil Pote for the tutorial on fungo bats.
154 “the problem and the attraction”: Hayden interview.
154 “a little groggy”: Lolich interview.
155 “until I see a replay”: Sports Illustrated, October 19, 1968.
155 “wasn’t my day”: “Briles Bemoans Home-run Habit,” St. Louis Globe-Democrat , October 4, 1968.
156 “we had some fun”: Brown interview.
156 “my best three arms”: Green, 220–221.
156 “self glory”: Sporting News, October 19, 1968.
156 in the Detroit bullpen: Warden interview.
157 “None of the Cardinals’ six hits”: Sporting News, October 19, 1968.
157 “enjoy days like this”: Feldmann, 339.
157 “in good shape”: “Reflecting Tigers Find Themselves, Newsday, October 4, 1968.
157 Smith/Horton meeting: Horton interview; Green 221–222.
158 Curtis LeMay: “LeMay Joins Wallace,” St. Louis Globe-Democrat, October 4, 1968.
158 Riots in Mexico City: The National Security Archive, October 10, 2003; Kurlansky, 321–344. I highly recommend both sources for those looking to read more about the student demonstrations on the eve of the Mexico City Games.
159 Detroit preps: “Detroit Fever High,” Sporting News, October 19, 1968.
159 “ Whoever wins today”: Ibid.
160 “Speed”: Lou Brock, author interview, July 1999.
161 “play without bases”: Sporting News, October 19, 1968.
161 “That’s how quickly”: Mead interview.
161 Washburn: Feldmann, 341.
162 “ When it all came together for us”: Cepeda interview.
162 “cooked”: Sporting News, October 19, 1968.
162 Rain: Brown interview.
163 On . . . campaign trail: “Nixon Helped,” Newsday, October 7, 1968.
163 “they take it away from us”: “No Authority in Rain Game, Umps Say,” Sporting News, October 19, 1968.
164 “I’m not a mudder”: McLain, 117.
165 “toast is burnt”: Gibson, 146.
165 Flowers: Ibid., 203.
166 Sparma: Pattison and Raglin, 153–157.
166 Rain: “Fair Weather Fans Dampened: Rain and Tears,” Detroit Free Press, October 7, 1968.
167 “trying to stall”: Sporting News, October 19, 1968.
167 “In rain or shine”: “A Clay-Tongued McCarver Immortalizes His Pal Gibson,” Newsday, October 7, 1968.
167 “become a farce”: Green, 226–227.
167 Eckert and steroids: www.steroidsinbaseball.net.
168 Brock steals: Sporting News, October 19, 1968.
168 “I almost got in”: Warden interview.
170 “And we aren’t”: Green, 227.
170 “grasping at straws”: Horton interview.
171 “The guy on either side of you”: Lolich interview.
171 Jose Feliciano’s rendition of the national anthem: “Fans Irate Over ‘Desecrated’ Anthem,” Barbara Stanton, Detroit Free Press, which later was republished in Sporting News, October 19, 1968; McLain, 118–119; Lolich interview.
172 “we would wrap it up”: Cepeda interview.
172 “I was in control”: Briles interview.
173 “wasn’t the game plan”: Lolich interview.
174 “He’s not Carl Yastrzemski or Reggie Jackson”: Feldmann, 351.
174 Play at the plate: Horton interview; Sporting News, October 19, 1968; Green, 229–231; Cantor, 197–198; Feldmann, 351; Gibson, 203–204; Bob Broeg, author interview, August 2, 1996; National Baseball Hall of Fame, archived interview. As you can see, everyone weighs in on this crucial play, the one on which the 1968 Series turned.
175 “Some su
perstitions die hard”: Horton interview.
176 Feliciano backlash: Cantor, 196–197; Feldmann, 349; Green, 229; McLain, 118–119.
177 “ What made this wait so acute”: Ibid, 149–150,
178 McLain’s preparation: Sporting News, October 19, 1968; McLain, 119–120; Mead interview.
178 “The rules for Denny”: Freehan, 35.
179 “lie and lie”: Brown interview.
181 Jack McKeon/Josh Beckett: “McKeon, Beckett: Old Man & The MVP,” Hartford Courant, October 26, 2003.
182 “just like college to us”: Horton interview.
182 “Cheeseburger, fries, vanilla shake”: Lolich interview.
182 Northrup’s grand slam: Sporting News, October 19, 1968.
183 “He was the emotional backbone”: Detroit Free Press, June 12, 2011.
184 “better pitcher with a lead”: Gibson, 205.
185 “I didn’t hate Denny, no”: Cantor, 188; McLain 120–121.
185 “Lolich was so miserable”: McLain, 121.
186 “There wasn’t a lot of love lost”: Warden interview.
186 “the last guy”: McLain 98–99.
186 “ We battled back”: Sporting News, October 19, 1968.
187 “didn’t have to prove a goddamn thing”: Green, 236.
188 Tigers clubhouse: Feldmann, 356.
188 “comedy act”: Green, 240.
188 “not a good psychologist”: Ibid.
188 “down to me and Lolich”: Gibson, 205.
188 “I felt fine”: Lolich interview.
189 shock-wave machine: “Add a Machine to Tiger Heroes,” Newsday, October 11, 1968.
189 “get to Lolich”: Gibson, 205.
189 “I wasn’t feeling good really”: Lolich interview.
190 Hamburger conversation: Freehan, 77–78.
191 Picking off Brock, then Flood: Feldman, 356–357; Green, 240–241; Sporting News, October 19, 1968.
191 “had to navigate”: Gibson, 205.
191 “in my ear”: Horton interview.
192 two pedestrian singles: “‘68 wasn’t for the Bird,” St. Louis Post-Dispatch, October 21, 2005.
192 Flood’s play/Northrup’s triple: “It’s My Fault . . . “ Detroit Free Press, October 11, 1968; Gibson, 205–207; Feldmann, 357–358; Green, 240–241 ; Cantor, 202–204; McCarver interview; Horton interview; McAuliffe interview.
193 “absolutely agreed”: “Jim Northrup, hero of 1968 champion Tigers, dies at 71,” Detroit Free Press, June 8, 2011.
194 “I remain grateful to Schoendienst”: Gibson, 206.
195 Tigers champions: Lolich interview; Horton interview; Sporting News, October 26, 1968; “Tigers On Top of World!” Detroit Free Press, October 11, 1968; “Lolich Can’t Find Room to Celebrate,” Detroit Free Press, October 11, 1968.
197 Motown celebration: “ . . . When Our Tigers Came Through for Us!” Detroit Free Press, October, 11 1968; “Win Puts Detroit in High Gear,” Newsday, October 11, 1968; “The Night Detroit Went Wild Over Its World Champs,” Sporting News, October 26, 1968; “We Win!,” Detroit Free Press, October 11, 1968; Cantor, 205–210; Green, 243–248; Feldmann, 359.
198 Lady at the airport: Gibson, 207.
PART VII
200 Tiant’s mother visits: Tiant interview; Tiant, 73–75.
201 “idiotic idea”: “But Only On Sunday,” Kenny Moore, Sports Illustrated, February 26, 1973.
202 Ryun’s race: Daniels interview; Hoffer, 199–202.
204 Visit to NFL Films Library: September 18, 2010.
209 Hickok Belt: Q&A with Scott Pitoniak, USA Today, Sports section, January 18, 2011. Scott Pitoniak is the author of Jewel of the Sports World.
210 “Things were never the same”: Gibson, 208–209.
211 Horton lands Gibson’s autograph: Horton interview.
AFTERMATH
213 ready for long run: National Baseball Hall of Fame research department.
213 elite status: Lolich interview; Pattison and Raglin, 83–89.
214 Las Vegas gig: McLain, 167–208, 261–348; Pattison and Raglin, 109–115; “Denny’s Vegas Debut Called ‘Less Than Smashing,’” Detroit News, December 14, 1968; “His Idol is Sinatra,” Time, September 13, 1968; “Never Touch a Superstar,” Look, March 2, 1970.
216 same batting helmet: Horton interview; Pattison and Raglin, 67–72.
216 only Fall Classic appearance: http://www.thebaseballpage.com/players/kalinal01; Pattison and Raglin, 73–78; Hal Butler, Al Kaline and the Detroit Tigers, Henry Regnery, 1973; Seth Swirsky, Baseball Letters, Three Rivers Press, 88–89.
217 one of the few: Brown interview; Pattison and Raglin, 3–8.
217 serious knee injury: McAuliffe interview; Pattison and Raglin, 101–108.
218 future appears bright: Warden interview; Pattison and Raglin, 169–172.
219 Roster changes: Cardinals’ postscript, National Baseball Hall of Fame research department, Bill Francis interview, July 5, 2011.
219 “Trading Cepeda”: Gibson, 211.
220 critic of lowering the mound: Gibson, 222–247; http://www.baseballlibrary.com/ballplayers/player.php?name=Bob_Gibson_1935
220 “Bob’s caliber”: Aaron interview.
220 “I wish I could have played on the same team with him”: National Baseball Hall of Fame research department, material gathered for Gibson’s Hall of Fame induction in 1981.
220 “the opportunity”: Baseball Digest, March 1972.
220 “plain old guts”: Ibid.
220 MVP candidate: Brock interview; http://www.baseballlibrary.com/ballplayers/player.php?name=Lou_Brock_1939
221 rally his teammates: Cepeda interview; http://www.baseballlibrary.com/ballplayers/player.php?name=Orlando_Cepeda_1937
222 “reminds me of Eddie Mathews”: “Cards’ Shannon Fights Nephritis,” Joe Donnelly, Newsday, May 4, 1971; “Sunny Side Up: Mike Shannon Like to Embrace Life Fully,” St. Louis Post-Dispatch, August 11, 1996; “ Woman, Barber, Goat Have Story with a Familiar Ring–Shannon’s,” St. Louis Post-Dispatch, June 15, 1995.
223 “born surly”: “Roger Maris Is Dead at 51,” New York Times, December 15, 1985; “Broadcaster friend says Maris would tune in,” USA Today, September 1, 1998.
224 better entertainer: Briles interview; http://www.baseballlibrary.com/ballplayers/player.php?name=Nellie_Briles_1943
224 signature offering: Feldmann, 370–371; www.carlton32.com; Tim McCarver with Danny Peary. Tim McCarver’s Baseball for Brain Surgeons and Other Fans, 51.
226 gains a following: McCarver interview; Feldmann, 370–371. http://www.baseballlibrary.com/ballplayers/player.php?name=Tim_McCarver_1941
226 shake up teams: Feldman, 372–373; Snyder, 1–16; Gibson, 218–221. http://www.baseballlibrary.com/ballplayers/player.php?name=Curt_Flood_1938
228 princely sum: “Catfish Hunter Dead, CNN/SI, http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/news/1999/09/09/hunter_obit_ap/index.html
228 league-worst twenty games: Tiant interview; http://www.latinosportslegends.com/Tiant_Luis-bio.htm; http://bioproj.sabr.org/bioproj.cfm?a=v&v=1&bid=645&pid=14207
229 “The Capitol Punisher”: Howard interview; http://www.thebaseballpage.com/players/howarfr01
229 reaches the twenty-victoryplateau: Dierker interview; http://www.larrydierker.com
229 decides to tough it out: Ryan interview; http://mlb.mlb.com/tex/community/executives/ryan.html
230 curious disappearance of his wife: Pappas, 326–337; “Body Found in Submerged Car Is Identified as Wife of Milt Pappas,” Los Angeles Times, August 9, 1987.
231 once again catch fire: http://www.nba.com/history/players/russell_bio.html
231 third, behind Muhammad Ali and Michael Jordan: http://www.museum.tv/eotvsection.php?entrycode=arledgeroon
231 good enough to win: Daniels interview; Hoffer, 200–202; http://www.distancerunning.com/inductees/2003/ryun.html; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZ8OieCDOk8
