The Year of the Tiger
1968 was no ordinary year. In fact, it was one of the most turbulent years in history. America was mired in Vietnam, Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy were shockingly assassinated, massive student demonstrations were taking place all over the world, the chaos in Chicago was broadcast on live TV and Richard Nixon was elected president. What else could possibly happen? Well, actually, a lot of things. . .
A year earlier, in the summer of 1967, simmering racial tensions exploded into full-blown riots in the city of Detroit. After five days of gunfire, arson and looting, 43 people were dead, hundreds were injured, more than 7,000 were arrested and over 2,500 buildings were destroyed. Finally, U.S. Army troops and the National Guard were called in to restore peace.
In 1968, as the hot weather months approached, there was widespread concern that a second wave of violence and destruction might return to Detroit. Another summer of turmoil could tear the fragile fabric of the city apart. The Motor City needed something to believe in. It needed a miracle.
And then it happened. An unlikely bunch of guys with leather gloves and wooden bats changed everything. After a slow start, they began to capture the imagination of the entire state of Michigan. With every victory, anger and fear began to dissolve into hope and joy. Detroit wasn't burning that summer but its baseball team was on fire.
The Tigers' roster was loaded with stars such as Al Kaline, Norm Cash, Mickey Lolich and Denny McLain. Two of their key players were power-hitting African Americans Gates Brown and Willie Horton. They helped unite and ignite a diverse, passionate fanbase. It didn't matter if you were rich or poor, black or white, male or female, young or old. We were all on the same side. This was OUR baseball team. They were OUR Detroit Tigers!
The last time the Detroit Tigers won it all was in 1945. This team broke that 23-year drought with a dramatic 7th-game World Series win over the St. Louis Cardinals. This was a time for celebration, not conflagration. These 1968 Tigers were World Champions but the way they brought the city together was their greatest achievement. With its magical 1968 season, the home team saved home.
And that's the way the story goes.