Dick McAuliffe

Richard John McAuliffe (November 29, 1939 – May 13, 2016) was an American professional baseball shortstop and second baseman who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Detroit Tigers (1960–73) and Boston Red Sox (1974–75). He was a part of the Tigers' 1968 World Series championship and was known for his unusual batting stance. A left-handed hitter, McAuliffe held his hands very high with an open stance that faced the pitcher. As the pitcher delivered to home plate, he moved his forward (right) foot to a more conventional position before swinging.

Early years McAuliffe graduated from Farmington High School in Farmington, Connecticut, where he was coached by Leo Pinsky and won the state championship in 1957. McAuliffe signed with the Detroit Tigers as a free agent out of high school and spent three seasons in the Tigers' farm system. In 1960, he led the Sally League in runs (109), triples (21), and shortstop assists (430) while playing for the Knoxville Smokies.

Detroit Tigers In the 1961 and 1962 seasons, McAuliffe shifted between shortstop and second base before replacing Chico Fernandez as the Tigers starting shortstop from 1963–1966. Known for his wide-open batting stance and leg kick, In 1966, he finished the season ranked fourth in the league with a .373 on-base percentage and fifth with a .509 slugging percentage.

After making the American League All-Star team again in 1966 at shortstop, McAuliffe agreed to move to second base in 1967 to make room for Ray Oyler to take over at shortstop. Even with the move, McAuliffe was selected for his third consecutive All-Star team in 1967. The 1967 season was memorable for the tight four-way pennant race between the Tigers, Boston Red Sox, Minnesota Twins, and Chicago White Sox, with all four teams still in contention entering the final week of the season. The Tigers needed to win the final game of the season against the California Angels, to force a one-game playoff with the Red Sox for the American League championship. However, the Tigers lost, finishing one game behind the Red Sox. Along with Al Kaline and Bill Freehan, McAuliffe played an integral role for the Tigers during the 1967 season, finishing among the American League leaders in walks with 105 (3rd), 245 times on base (3rd), 7 triples (3rd), 92 runs (5th), 118 strikeouts (5th), 22 home runs (8th), and a .364 on-base percentage (9th).

McAuliffe played a key role in the Tigers' 1968 World Championship season. He had a .344 on-base percentage, led the American League with 95 runs scored, and showed power with 50 extra base hits. He also tied a major league record by going the entire 1968 season without grounding into a double play and was the first American League player to do so. McAuliffe also improved defensively in 1968, reducing his error total from 28 in 1967 to 9 in 1968 and finished second among American League second basemen in fielding percentage. He finished seventh in the American League Most Valuable Player Award voting, behind teammates Denny McLain (1st), Bill Freehan (2nd), and Willie Horton (4th).

On August 22, McAuliffe was involved in a brawl with Chicago White Sox pitcher Tommy John. After one pitch barely missed McAuliffe's head and another was thrown behind him, McAuliffe charged the mound, drove his knee into John's shoulder and separated it.

In the 1968 World Series, McAuliffe played all seven games at second base, scored 5 runs, and 6 hits, 4 walks, 3 runs batted in, and one home run. His steadying influence in the middle infield helped make it possible for manager Mayo Smith to take the radical step of playing center fielder Mickey Stanley at shortstop in the World Series in order to get a better bat in the lineup against the St. Louis Cardinals, led by Bob Gibson.

McAuliffe continued as the Tigers' starting second baseman through the 1973 season.

Boston Red Sox

McAullife was traded by the Tigers to the Boston Red Sox for Ben Oglivie on October 23, 1973. McAuliffe hit .210 in 100 games for the Red Sox in 1974. He guided Bristol into first place in the Eastern League but was recalled to Boston in August to resume his playing career as a utility infielder. However, McAuliffe was released after playing seven more games. His career ended on September 1, 1975, in a Yankees–Red Sox game. McAuliffe dropped an easy popup for an error.

Post-baseball career After retiring from baseball, McAuliffe owned a business that repaired and installed coin-operated washing machines and dryers for ten years and also ran baseball schools.

Death After a battle with Alzheimer's disease, McAuliffe died on May 13, 2016, at the age of 76, after suffering a stroke.