ALDS 2012: Former Tiger Mickey Lolich to throw out first pitch before Game 1

The Detroit Tigers will face the Oakland A's on Saturday in Game 1 of the ALDS, and Tigers pitching legend Mickey Lolich will be throwing out the ceremonial first pitch before the game. Jason Beck has the announcement from the Tigers:

#Tigers announce Mickey Lolich will throw out ceremonial first pitch before Game 1 of ALDS Saturday night.

— Jason Beck (@beckjason) October 4, 2012

Lolich was voted the most valuable player of the 1968 World Series, in which the Tigers defeated the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games. Lolich pitched Game 7 of that series against Bob Gibson on just two days of rest, after also pitching the second and fifth games of the matchup. Lolich spent 14 seasons in Detroit, and he is the Tigers all-time leader in strikeouts, total starts and shutouts.

The Tigers and Athletics will begin their series on Saturday evening at 6 p.m. ET from Detroit. After Lolich throws out the first pitch, the probable starting pitchers are Jarrod Parker of the A's and Justin Verlander of the Tigers. The game will be televised on TBS.