Jim Northrup, Tigers' 1968 hero, passes away at 71

Jim Northrup, who tripled in the winning run in the Game 7 of the 1968 World Series, died at 71. According to a family spokesman, Northrup died after a seizure following several years of declining health and a recent move to an Alzheimer’s care facility in Grand Blanc.

Northrup’s most famous Series hit, though, came in Game 7 against Bob Gibson and the St. Louis Cardinals, who had beaten the Tigers in Games 1 and 4. Gibson and Mickey Lolich were in a scoreless duel through six innings at Busch Stadium. Northrup, who hit a solo homer off Gibson in Game 4, batted with two on and two outs in the seventh.


1968 World Series champion & hall of famer Al Kaline reflects on the passing of his fellow teammate, Jim Northrup