The Detroit Tigers announced Tuesday that former utility infielder Tom Matchick, a member of the 1968 World Series championship team, has died. He was 78.
Matchick played three seasons with the Tigers, making his major league debut in 1967 and staying with the team through the 1969 season, before he was to Boston. He also played with the Royals, Brewers and Orioles through 1972, playing in the minor leagues the following four seasons.
In his six seasons, Matchick hit .215 with four home runs and 64 RBIs. Three of those home runs came in the 1968 season, including a walk-off, three-run shot to beat the Orioles, 5-4, on July 19 of that season.
Matchick played in 80 games that season, including 58 starts, and hit .203 as a pinch hitter, shortstop, second baseman and first baseman. He got three at-bats in the 1968 World Series, going 0-for-3.
Contact Kirkland Crawford: kcrawford@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @HiKirkHere.