Episode 311 - Mickey Lolich, Why the Detroit Tigers Replaced a 31-Game Winner with a "Mailman" in the World Series

Jeff and Mark open the episode with early-season baseball energy (NCAA baseball starting, spring training nearing, and WBC chatter) before noting the passing of relief legend Elroy “Roy” Face and revisiting stories tied to Ralph Terry. They share a run of baseball oddities and news, including the White Sox adding bidets at a Japanese player’s request while misspelling his locker name, Hideo Nomo sausage race, and former Yankees pitcher Kei Igawa’s acting debut. They also discuss Puerto Rico WBC insurance issues, including Bad Bunny offering to cover premiums for Carlos Correa and Francisco Lindor, plus the Rangers’ planned Nolan Ryan bloodied-jersey replica giveaway tied to the Bo Jackson line drive. The main feature is a career-focused tribute to recently deceased Tigers legend Mickey Lolich, from his childhood accident that helped turn him into a left-hander to his workhorse peak to his iconic 1968 World Series performance. The episode closes with the Wax Pack Heroes game from a 2003 Topps pack, along with show plugs and contact info. 00:00 Welcome Back to Two Strike Noise + Baseball Is Back 01:23 RIP Elroy “Roy” Face: The Baron of the Bullpen 04:59 Square-Dance Caller Dad & Other Roy Face Oddities 05:56 Japan Notes: Murakami, White Sox Bidets & a Name-Tag Fail 07:59 Baseball Players Are Children: NoMo’s Sausage Race & More 09:10 More Japan: Iga’s Acting Debut + Kuroda as TV Murderer 11:30 WBC Injuries & Insurance: Hamate Bones and Bad Bunny Steps In 13:07 Nolan Ryan Bloodied Jersey Giveaway (And the Ventura Mix-Up) 14:39 Main Story: The Life and Legend of Mickey Lolich 31:06 Time for Wax Pack Heroes: Mitch Roasted, Scoreboard Update & New Topps Hunt 49:36 Wrap-Up: Final Score, Where to Find the Show, Streams, Email & Baseball’s Back Connect With Us YouTube: www.youtube.com/@twostrikenoise Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/twostrikenoise BlueSky: @twostrikenoise.bsky.social Email: [email protected] Support a Great Cause: Don't let your common cards collect dust! Donate them to help spark a child's interest in the game at http://commons4kids.org/. #baseballhistory #mlb #AddieJoss #MickeyLolich #AllStarGame #BaseballCards #TwoStrikeNoise #DeadBallEra