Netflix dropping doumentary on Tigers Legend and Donut King Mickey Lolich

**Lowell** · May-15-25, 08:21 AM

But its not about the donuts.

"Netflix has announced the upcoming release of *The Underdog*, a compelling and deeply humanizing documentary chronicling the extraordinary life and career of former Major League Baseball pitcher Mickey Lolich, one of the most unheralded yet impactful figures in the history of the Detroit Tigers. The documentary is set to premiere globally on July 18, 2025, coinciding with the anniversary of Lolich’s unforgettable three-win performance in the 1968 World Series that helped cement his legacy in baseball folklore.

"Mickey Lolich was far from a conventional athlete. Labeled as too heavy, too slow, and too unconventional, Lolich was dismissed by scouts and sportswriters early in his career. But with a devastating fastball and deceptive left-handed delivery, he steadily rose through the ranks, eventually joining the Detroit Tigers in 1963. Over the next 13 seasons, Lolich would become one of the most durable pitchers of his era, known for throwing complete games with near-superhuman consistency.

"The heart of the documentary focuses on the 1968 World Series—a turbulent year for America, and a transformative one for Detroit. As the city grappled with social unrest and economic struggle, Lolich became an unexpected hero. Stepping up when ace Denny McLain faltered, Lolich delivered three complete-game victories, including a dramatic Game 7 win over the St. Louis Cardinals and future Hall of Famer Bob Gibson. The performance is still considered one of the greatest in World Series history."

And don't forget, he hit a home run in one of those games.

**Cincinnati_Kid** · May-15-25, 08:42 AM

Thanks for the heads-up! Looking forward to it.

**Jimaz** · May-15-25, 08:49 AM

So the word "dropping" in the title doesn't mean abandoning but rather delivering the documentary on July 18?

**Zacha341** · May-15-25, 09:13 AM

^ Teenagers and some younger people use the word 'Drop' or 'Dropping' as presenting or something launching, or being showcased!

**Cincinnati_Kid** · May-15-25, 09:21 AM

Originally Posted by Zacha341

^ Teenagers and some younger people use the word 'Drop' or 'Dropping' as presenting or something launching, or being showcased!

Very good Zacha! Like Taylor Swift's new album is going to DROP on July 23rd.

**Zacha341** · May-15-25, 09:26 AM

^ Hah! Some anticipate Swifts new album as 'FIRE' [also meaning great as in hot]. She's getting a bit old/ long in the tooth [over 35] along with Cowboy Beyonce LOL! Less Fire - more fading smoke!

**Cincinnati_Kid** · May-15-25, 09:33 AM

Originally Posted by Zacha341

^ Hah! Some anticipate Swifts new album as 'FIRE' [also meaning great as in hot]. She's getting a bit old/ long in the tooth [over 35] along with Cowboy Beyonce LOL! Less Fire - more fading smoke!

**Jimaz** · May-15-25, 09:37 AM

Someone needs to coin a word that is both a synonym and an antonym of "ambiguity" and a context where it's not quite clear which meaning is meant.

**canuck** · May-15-25, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by Jimaz

Someone needs to coin a word that is both a synonym and an antonym of "ambiguity" and a context where it's not quite clear which meaning is meant.

Yo, in modern parlance: we need to have a "conversation" about that.

**Meddle** · May-15-25, 05:42 PM

I read it as discontinuing, canceling, ceasing production.

**401don** · May-15-25, 06:32 PM

It's a big goal for Skubal to throw 200 innings this year, before he signs his 300 million dollar deal. Mickey and his 376 finds that quite funny.

**ABetterDetroit** · May-15-25, 06:58 PM

Originally Posted by 401don

It's a big goal for Skubal to throw 200 innings this year, before he signs his 300 million dollar deal. Mickey and his 376 finds that quite funny.

300 mill? Do you think it could be that low? I fear it would be in the mid 400s.

**401don** · May-15-25, 07:22 PM

Originally Posted by ABetterDetroit

300 mill? Do you think it could be that low? I fear it would be in the mid 400s.

Nobody is going that high for a pitcher. Highest ever is Yamamoto's 325 and that's for 12 years. I don't really care as long as it's not the Tigers. I wouldn't sign any pitcher for more than 4-5 years.

**ABetterDetroit** · May-15-25, 08:12 PM

Originally Posted by 401don

Nobody is going that high for a pitcher. Highest ever is Yamamoto's 325 and that's for 12 years. I don't really care as long as it's not the Tigers. I wouldn't sign any pitcher for more than 4-5 years.

I understand why you don’t want a high dollar contract for a pitcher because of the risk. On the other hand it did get old watching starters we got rid of because of contract cost win World Series Championships elsewhere.

**Lowell** · May-15-25, 08:28 PM

I am beginning to believe the human arm simply isn't made to throw over 90 MPH without breaking down, and if a pitcher doesn't have a heater in the mid-90’s, he has no MLB future, unless he can truly pitch [and where are the knuckleballers?]. The dumping of Kenta Maeda is a case in point.

Even if they coddle starters with 90 pitch count limits, they still keep breaking down. Tommy John surgery almost seems like a prerequisite. The days of rubber arms like Mickey are, in Ernie Harwell speak, long gone.

So, yeah, I wouldn't sign any pitcher for more than four years. I would break the bank to keep Skubal for four years, but if he insists on more years, bye-ya.

**Cincinnati_Kid** · May-17-25, 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by Lowell

I am beginning to believe the human arm simply isn't made to throw over 90 MPH without breaking down, and if a pitcher doesn't have a heater in the mid-90’s, he has no MLB future, unless he can truly pitch [and where are the knuckleballers?]. The dumping of Kenta Maeda is a case in point.

Even if they coddle starters with 90 pitch count limits, they still keep breaking down. Tommy John surgery almost seems like a prerequisite. The days of rubber arms like Mickey are, in Ernie Harwell speak, long gone.

So, yeah, I wouldn't sign any pitcher for more than four years. I would break the bank to keep Skubal for four years, but if he insists on more years, bye-ya.

I agree with this. All the current great pitchers have had or will eventually have Tommy John surgery or another type of arm injury at some point in their careers. Hopefully, Skubal won't, but as hard as he throws, it's not unforeseeable.

**401don** · May-17-25, 11:14 AM

Originally Posted by Cincinnati_Kid

I agree with this. All the current great pitchers have had or will eventually have Tommy John surgery or another type of arm injury at some point in their careers. Hopefully, Skubal won't, but as hard as he throws, it's not unforeseeable.

He's already had both TJ and flexor tendon surgery in his elbow. Hard to see him returning from another surgery and he's throwing 100 a couple times per game, not just mid-90's. Teams like the Dodgers or Yankees can afford to take chances but one or two bad contracts can hamper mid-market teams like the Tigers for years. Yet, when the Tigers don't extend him everyone will be screaming how cheap Ilitch is.

**Cincinnati_Kid** · May-17-25, 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by 401don

He's already had both TJ and flexor tendon surgery in his elbow. Hard to see him returning from another surgery and he's throwing 100 a couple times per game, not just mid-90's. Teams like the Dodgers or Yankees can afford to take chances but one or two bad contracts can hamper mid-market teams like the Tigers for years. Yet, when the Tigers don't extend him everyone will be screaming how cheap Ilitch is.

Good points. I didn't know Skubal had those surgeries already. Did he miss significant time? I must have been under a rock somewhere. Jacob deGrom had TJ, and he looks as good as ever after witnessing him lock up the Tigers a week ago.

**Zacha341** · May-17-25, 12:29 PM

Speaking of Netflix and latest movies they are dropping [showing], is anyone still paying that $16.99 monthy rate? We cut it down to $7.99 - sure you get commercials but not too many. Need to find a way to cut down stream subscriptions. Netflix extra was a an easy one to cut.

Need to check out the Tigers Documentary when time allows.

**ABetterDetroit** · May-17-25, 02:04 PM

Originally Posted by 401don

He's already had both TJ and flexor tendon surgery in his elbow. Hard to see him returning from another surgery and he's throwing 100 a couple times per game, not just mid-90's. Teams like the Dodgers or Yankees can afford to take chances but one or two bad contracts can hamper mid-market teams like the Tigers for years. Yet, when the Tigers don't extend him everyone will be screaming how cheap Ilitch is.

Acknowledging you are 100% correct on a mid market team would be hurt big time by eating a large contract on an injured player let’s further discuss.

Living with the reality that mid and small market teams are no longer winning WS [Last being KC in 2015] what are we shooting for? Working to just have a decent competitive MLB team on a regular basis? Is that after what all we have been through for a good long while the goal? Or do we have aspirations of being the WS champs? If we really desire the champagne than more risk has to assumed one way or the other.

Lighting bolts do indeed strike somewhere but there seems to be few options under the currant climate. Spend or don’t. The highest bar seems to be fairly predictable in the don’t spend choice. I doubt there is a Tiger fan anywhere that wouldn’t want to see a hard salary cap come to MLB but that just doesn’t seem to be on the horizon at all.

**JBMcB** · May-17-25, 02:57 PM

Too bad I'm dropping Netflix because they are dropping too many shows I want to watch. If they'd drop better shows I'd keep my subscription.

**Trumpeteer** · May-17-25, 04:21 PM

Originally Posted by canuck

Yo, in modern parlance: we need to have a "conversation" about that.

Actually the newest term which I hate is let's "discourse".

**Trumpeteer** · May-17-25, 04:23 PM

Originally Posted by JBMcB

Too bad I'm dropping Netflix because they are dropping too many shows I want to watch. If they'd drop better shows I'd keep my subscription.

Watch Nonas!!!

**401don** · May-17-25, 04:52 PM

Originally Posted by ABetterDetroit

Acknowledging you are 100% correct on a mid market team would be hurt big time by eating a large contract on an injured player let’s further discuss.

Living with the reality that mid and small market teams are no longer winning WS [Last being KC in 2015] what are we shooting for? Working to just have a decent competitive MLB team on a regular basis? Is that after what all we have been through for a good long while the goal? Or do we have aspirations of being the WS champs? If we really desire the champagne than more risk has to assumed one way or the other.

Lighting bolts do indeed strike somewhere but there seems to be few options under the currant climate. Spend or don’t. The highest bar seems to be fairly predictable in the don’t spend choice. I doubt there is a Tiger fan anywhere that wouldn’t want to see a hard salary cap come to MLB but that just doesn’t seem to be on the horizon at all.

You can have a very good team and get to the World Series without spending 300-400 million for a pitcher. You are just as likely to win or lose the World Series based on how the bullpen does. Case in point the 2011 & 2013 Tigers with that rotation. Skubal pitched great Thurs. and Olsen today - for 6 innings. The games came down to the bullpens.

**ABetterDetroit** · May-17-25, 06:18 PM

Originally Posted by 401don

You can have a very good team and get to the World Series without spending 300-400 million for a pitcher. You are just as likely to win or lose the World Series based on how the bullpen does. Case in point the 2011 & 2013 Tigers with that rotation. Skubal pitched great Thurs. and Olsen today - for 6 innings. The games came down to the bullpens.

Bullpen is critical no doubt. But what I see in the game today is different from those teams from over a decade ago. Mid markets like small markets used to now appear to be just the feeders for the big payrolls that go deep in playoffs consistently. Sure, lightning will strike again and hopefully that’s this years Tigers but it seems to be getting more infrequent with every passing season.

I don’t claim to be a good armchair GM and like the rest of us zero access to the medical info the Tigers have on Tarik so I see it as a quandary because as a fan, he seems to have the talent, mental fortitude and his head screwed on straight.

At the end of the day what do we really know? It’s not like I’m in the clubhouse with the guy. Have to hope that when the time comes those who have all that insight make the right decision for the Tigers future. I just don’t see it as an easy decision like a simple math problem that always ends with ‘Nope the numbers too big, let Boston, Dodgers or whoever else is pulling out all the stops to win a WS have him.’