Ranking every World Series winners in history

By Staff | Nov 3, 2015

UNITED STATES - OCTOBER 05: Brooklyn Dodgers president Walter O'Malley and his manager, Walter Alston, exchange hugs and grins after bringing Brooklyn its first World Series championship in history. Flock did it the hard way, winning the final game in Yankee Stadium. (Photo by NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images) /

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Oct 06, 1968 – Detroit, MI, USA – (File Photo) Tigers congratulate JIM NORTHRUP after home run in Game 4 of the 1968 World Series. (Photo by Sporting News/Sporting News via Getty Images) /

38. 1968 Detroit Tigers

103-59, AL Champions, Won World Series 4-3 Over St. Louis

The 1968 Detroit Tigers, who scored more runs (671) than any team in the American League and hit 52 more home runs (185 total) than any other team in baseball, won the American League pennant by 12 games with a record of 103-59. It was the first pennant for the franchise in 23 years, and with a 4-3 series victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in the Fall Classic, the Tigers won the first World Championship over that time span, and the third in franchise history.

Denny McLain (31-6, 1.96 ERA) was the runaway Cy Young and MVP Award winner, taking both honors in unanimous fashion. The 24-year old led all of baseball with 41 starts and 336 innings, and tossed 28 complete games, which were the most in the American League.

However, Mickey Lolich (17-9, 3.19) was the star of the World Series and earned series MVP honors with a 3-0 record and 1.67 ERA in three complete game starts, including a 4-1 decision in Game 7. McClain also picked up a win in the Series, but was served with two losses as well.

Hall of Famer Al Kaline was red-hot in the World Series and hit .379/.400/.655 with two home runs and eight RBI following a modest regular season in which he hit .287/.392/.428 with ten homers and 52 RBI in 102 games. Willie Horton (36 HR, 85 RBI), Bill Freehan (25 HR, 84 RBI), Norm Cash (25 HR, 63 RBI) and Jim Northrup (21 HR, 90 RBI) carried much of the load offensively for the Tigers.

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