Tigers Great Dick McAuliffe Dies, Leadoff Hitter For '68 Champs

If you grew up in the '60s in Michigan, chances are you tried to imitate Dick McAuliffe's odd batting stance at one time or another, which made him even more of a star in your eyes, because it left you wondering how he got any hits batting like that.

McAuliffe, second baseman and leadoff hitter for the 1968 World Championship team passed away yesterday. he was 76. Adios, good old number three.

McAuliffe, who wore his socks high, and stood at the plate facing the pitcher with his weird 'foot in the bucket' style of hitting, was known for his hustle and toughness on the basepaths.

Jim Price, now a broadcaster on the Tigers Radio Network, often told a story about Dick and how he was hit by a pitch against the Kansas City Athletics one season. The next time the two teams hooked up, McAuliffe laid a drag bunt down the first base line, so he could get revenge by bowling over the same pitcher who plunked him earlier.

McAuliffe played in several All Star games, including this one in 1965, where he blasted a two run homer for the American League.

He hit .222 in the 1968 World Series but homered in Game 3 and played errorless defense in Detroit's seven-game victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.

McAuliffe joined the Tigers as a 20-year-old in 1960 and was a fixture in the middle of the infield until 1973 playing in three straight All-Star Games from 1965 to '67 and leading the American League with 95 runs scored in 1968.

But how about this for an amazing stat: despite 658 plate appearances that season as Detroit's leadoff hitter, he didn't ground into a double play.

McAuliffe finished his career with 1,530 hits, 197 homers and 696 RBIs.

There was no cause of death given, but McAuliffe suffered from Alzheimer's Disease for years, according to his family. We wish those who love him well at this difficult time.

Here's some 8mm film capturing McAuliffe and other members of the 1968 team before a game at the old Tiger Stadium.