Longest professional baseball game
Encyclopedia
The Pawtucket Red Sox
and Rochester Red Wings
, two teams from the Triple-A International League
, played the longest game in professional baseball history. It lasted for 33 innings over eight hours and 25 minutes. 32 innings were played from 18 to 19 April 1981
at McCoy Stadium
in Pawtucket, Rhode Island
.
morning. Although most leagues have a curfew
rule that would have suspended the game—the International League's activates at 12:50 a.m.—the rule book that the home plate umpire
Dennis Cregghad did not contain one. After Pawtucket's Russ Laribee
's sacrifice fly
drove in Chico Walker
in the bottom of the ninth inning and tied the game at one run each, the teams continued playing.
Several times, one side neared victory before circumstances changed. When Wade Boggs
drove in the tying run in the bottom of the 21st inning after a Rochester run, even the Pawtucket players groaned. He recalled that, "I didn't know if the guys on the team wanted to hug me or slug me." The weather was so cold that players burned broken bats and the stadium's wooden benches to warm themselves, and the clubhouses ran out of food. The wind blew into the infield, making hits difficult; Pawtucket's Dave Koza later claimed that otherwise his team would have won in nine innings, with "four or five shots that would have been out of the park". For example, Sam Bowen
hit a fly ball to center that reportedly left the field before the wind blew it back to Rochester outfielder Dallas Williams
. Williams went 0 for 13 in 15 plate appearances, one of many records achieved during the game.
After Pawtucket's Luis Aponte
pitched the seventh to 10th innings in relief, manager Joe Morgan
—who himself would be ejected in the 22nd inning by Cregg—let him leave before the game ended. Aponte's wife did not believe his explanation for coming home at 3 a.m. Sunday. He promised that the Sunday newspaper would prove his story, but since the game's postponement occurred too late to appear in it, Aponte had to wait until the Monday edition. Cregg had brought his nephew David to the game; David's father became concerned for his family and called the police, who told him that the game had not ended.
By 4 a.m. the players were "delirious" from exhaustion; Rochester's Dave Huppert
had caught the first 31 innings before being replaced, and Jim Umbarger
pitched 10 scoreless innings from the 23rd inning, striking out nine and giving up four hits. The president of the league, Harold Cooper, was finally reached on the phone sometime after 3 a.m.; the horrified Cooper ordered that play stop at the end of the current inning. Finally at 4:07, at the end of the 32nd inning and more than eight hours after it began, the game was stopped. There were 19 fans left in the seats—not including David Cregg, who had fallen asleep—all of whom received season or lifetime passes to McCoy Stadium. As the players went home to rest before returning at 11 a.m. for an afternoon game that Sunday, they saw people going to Easter sunrise service
. When Boggs' father complimented him for getting four hits in the game, the player admitted that he had had 12 at bat
s.
Both teams signed a baseball on Sunday for display at the Baseball Hall of Fame. Cooper had suggested that the game resume that day, but Rochester manager Doc Edwards
requested a delay because of the risk of injury. Instead, it resumed on the evening of Tuesday, June 23, the next time the Red Wings were in town. A sellout crowd of 5,746 and 140 reporters from around the world were present, partly because the major leagues
were on strike at the time; the players voted against an offer to resume the game at Fenway Park
to avoid crossing the picket line
. On that evening, it took just one inning and 18 minutes to finish the game, with Koza driving in the winning run in the bottom of the 33rd. The losing pitcher was Steve Grilli
, who had joined Rochester after the suspension.
The Pawtucket Red Sox celebrated the 25th anniversary of the game on June 23, 2006.
Many members of both teams attended a luncheon and round table discussion in Providence, Rhode Island
, and a ceremony was held before the game against the Columbus Clippers
that night. David Cregg has never attended another baseball game.
, Pawtucket, Rhode Island
No outs when winning run scored.
were part of the historic game. Cal Ripken, Jr.
, who was inducted in 2007, went 2-13 on the night playing third base for Rochester. Wade Boggs
, who was inducted in 2005, played third base for Pawtucket and went 4-12 with a double
and an RBI
. Ripken was the American League
's Rookie-of-the-Year in 1982
. The Baseball Hall of Fame possesses other artifacts of the game, including the official scorecard.
23 other future major leaguers played in the game.
Pawtucket Red Sox
The Pawtucket Red Sox are the minor league baseball Triple-A affiliates of the Boston Red Sox and belong to the International League...
and Rochester Red Wings
Rochester Red Wings
The Rochester Red Wings are a minor league baseball team based in Rochester, New York. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins major-league club. The Red Wings play in Frontier Field, located in downtown Rochester.The Red Wings were an...
, two teams from the Triple-A International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
, played the longest game in professional baseball history. It lasted for 33 innings over eight hours and 25 minutes. 32 innings were played from 18 to 19 April 1981
1981 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers over New York Yankees ; Ron Cey, Pedro Guerrero, and Steve Yeager, co-MVPsNOTE: Due to a strike in mid-season, the season was divided into a first half and a second half...
at McCoy Stadium
McCoy Stadium
McCoy Stadium is a Minor League baseball stadium in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. It is currently home to the Pawtucket Red Sox of the International League.-History:...
in Pawtucket, Rhode Island
Pawtucket, Rhode Island
Pawtucket is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 71,148 at the 2010 census. It is the fourth largest city in the state.-History:...
.
The game
The game began on Saturday, April 18, at 8:25 p.m., after a delay of about 30 minutes due to problems with stadium lights, with 1,740 in the audience. It continued through the night and into EasterEaster
Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday...
morning. Although most leagues have a curfew
Curfew
A curfew is an order specifying a time after which certain regulations apply. Examples:# An order by a government for certain persons to return home daily before a certain time...
rule that would have suspended the game—the International League's activates at 12:50 a.m.—the rule book that the home plate umpire
Umpire (baseball)
In baseball, the umpire is the person charged with officiating the game, including beginning and ending the game, enforcing the rules of the game and the grounds, making judgment calls on plays, and handling the disciplinary actions. The term is often shortened to the colloquial form ump...
Dennis Cregghad did not contain one. After Pawtucket's Russ Laribee
Russ Laribee
Russ Laribee is a former professional baseball player.Drafted in the 21st round of the 1977 Draft, Laribee was a minor league outfielder. He played from 1977 through 1981 in the Boston Red Sox system, ascending as high as the team's Triple-A affiliate, the Pawtucket Red Sox...
's sacrifice fly
Sacrifice fly
In baseball, a sacrifice fly is a batted ball that satisfies four criteria:* There are fewer than two outs when the ball is hit.* The ball is hit to the outfield....
drove in Chico Walker
Chico Walker
Cleotha "Chico" Walker is a former professional baseball player. He played all or part of eleven seasons in Major League Baseball, between 1980 and 1993. He played 40 or more games at five different positions: third base, second base, and all three outfield positions.Walker is the uncle of NBA...
in the bottom of the ninth inning and tied the game at one run each, the teams continued playing.
Several times, one side neared victory before circumstances changed. When Wade Boggs
Wade Boggs
Wade Anthony Boggs is an American former professional baseball third baseman. He spent his 18-year baseball career primarily with the Boston Red Sox, but also played for the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Devil Rays...
drove in the tying run in the bottom of the 21st inning after a Rochester run, even the Pawtucket players groaned. He recalled that, "I didn't know if the guys on the team wanted to hug me or slug me." The weather was so cold that players burned broken bats and the stadium's wooden benches to warm themselves, and the clubhouses ran out of food. The wind blew into the infield, making hits difficult; Pawtucket's Dave Koza later claimed that otherwise his team would have won in nine innings, with "four or five shots that would have been out of the park". For example, Sam Bowen
Sam Bowen
Samuel Thomas Bowen is a former outfielder in Major League Baseball who played between 1977 and 1980 for the Boston Red Sox. He batted and threw right-handed...
hit a fly ball to center that reportedly left the field before the wind blew it back to Rochester outfielder Dallas Williams
Dallas Williams
Dallas McKinley Williams is a former professional baseball outfielder and coach. He played parts of two seasons in Major League Baseball with the Baltimore Orioles and Cincinnati Reds, and one season in Nippon Professional Baseball in 1988...
. Williams went 0 for 13 in 15 plate appearances, one of many records achieved during the game.
After Pawtucket's Luis Aponte
Luis Aponte
Luis Eduardo Aponte Yuripe is a former right-handed middle relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians...
pitched the seventh to 10th innings in relief, manager Joe Morgan
Joe Morgan (manager)
Joseph Michael Morgan is a retired American infielder, manager, coach and scout in Major League Baseball.-Early life:...
—who himself would be ejected in the 22nd inning by Cregg—let him leave before the game ended. Aponte's wife did not believe his explanation for coming home at 3 a.m. Sunday. He promised that the Sunday newspaper would prove his story, but since the game's postponement occurred too late to appear in it, Aponte had to wait until the Monday edition. Cregg had brought his nephew David to the game; David's father became concerned for his family and called the police, who told him that the game had not ended.
By 4 a.m. the players were "delirious" from exhaustion; Rochester's Dave Huppert
Dave Huppert
David Blain Huppert is a former catcher in Major League Baseball and the inaugural manager of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs of Minor League Baseball's International League for the season...
had caught the first 31 innings before being replaced, and Jim Umbarger
Jim Umbarger
James Harold Umbarger is a former American professional baseball player. A left-handed pitcher at Grant High School in Van Nuys, California, Umbarger was the 33rd pick in the 1971 Major League draft by the Cleveland Indians, but opted to attend Arizona State University. In 1974, The Sporting...
pitched 10 scoreless innings from the 23rd inning, striking out nine and giving up four hits. The president of the league, Harold Cooper, was finally reached on the phone sometime after 3 a.m.; the horrified Cooper ordered that play stop at the end of the current inning. Finally at 4:07, at the end of the 32nd inning and more than eight hours after it began, the game was stopped. There were 19 fans left in the seats—not including David Cregg, who had fallen asleep—all of whom received season or lifetime passes to McCoy Stadium. As the players went home to rest before returning at 11 a.m. for an afternoon game that Sunday, they saw people going to Easter sunrise service
Sunrise service
Sunrise service is a worship service on Easter. It takes the place of the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and Lutheran tradition of the Easter Vigil, and is practised mainly by Protestant churches...
. When Boggs' father complimented him for getting four hits in the game, the player admitted that he had had 12 at bat
At bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...
s.
Both teams signed a baseball on Sunday for display at the Baseball Hall of Fame. Cooper had suggested that the game resume that day, but Rochester manager Doc Edwards
Doc Edwards
Howard Rodney Edwards was a backup catcher with the Cleveland Indians, Kansas City Athletics, New York Yankees, and the Philadelphia Phillies over parts of five seasons spanning eight years...
requested a delay because of the risk of injury. Instead, it resumed on the evening of Tuesday, June 23, the next time the Red Wings were in town. A sellout crowd of 5,746 and 140 reporters from around the world were present, partly because the major leagues
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
were on strike at the time; the players voted against an offer to resume the game at Fenway Park
Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...
to avoid crossing the picket line
Strikebreaker
A strikebreaker is a person who works despite an ongoing strike. Strikebreakers are usually individuals who are not employed by the company prior to the trade union dispute, but rather hired prior to or during the strike to keep the organisation running...
. On that evening, it took just one inning and 18 minutes to finish the game, with Koza driving in the winning run in the bottom of the 33rd. The losing pitcher was Steve Grilli
Steve Grilli
Stephen Joseph Grilli is a former right-handed pitcher for the Detroit Tigers and Toronto Blue Jays. Grilli played for six seasons in baseball, but only played in the major league for parts of four seasons...
, who had joined Rochester after the suspension.
The Pawtucket Red Sox celebrated the 25th anniversary of the game on June 23, 2006.
Many members of both teams attended a luncheon and round table discussion in Providence, Rhode Island
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
, and a ceremony was held before the game against the Columbus Clippers
Columbus Clippers
The Columbus Clippers are a minor league baseball team based in Columbus, Ohio. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. The team is owned by the government of Franklin County, Ohio....
that night. David Cregg has never attended another baseball game.
Records set in the game
- Most putouts by one team in one game: 99 (PAW)
- Most total putouts in one game: 195
- Most at-bats for one team in one game: 114 (PAW)
- Most total at-bats in one game: 219
- Most strikeouts (batting) by one team in one game: 34 (ROC)
- Most total strikeouts in one game: 60
- Most strikeouts (batting) by one player in a game: 7, Russ LaribeeRuss LaribeeRuss Laribee is a former professional baseball player.Drafted in the 21st round of the 1977 Draft, Laribee was a minor league outfielder. He played from 1977 through 1981 in the Boston Red Sox system, ascending as high as the team's Triple-A affiliate, the Pawtucket Red Sox...
(PAW) - Most total assists in one game: 88
- Most innings: 33
- Most at-bats by one player in one game: 14, Dave Koza, Lee Graham, Chico WalkerChico WalkerCleotha "Chico" Walker is a former professional baseball player. He played all or part of eleven seasons in Major League Baseball, between 1980 and 1993. He played 40 or more games at five different positions: third base, second base, and all three outfield positions.Walker is the uncle of NBA...
(all PAW) - Most plate appearances by one player in one game: 15, Tom Eaton, Cal Ripken Jr, Dallas Williams (all ROC)
- Total time for one game: 8 hours, 25 minutes
- Longest plate appearance by a single umpire: Denny Cregg (882 pitches over 8 hours and 25 minutes)
Line score
McCoy StadiumMcCoy Stadium
McCoy Stadium is a Minor League baseball stadium in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. It is currently home to the Pawtucket Red Sox of the International League.-History:...
, Pawtucket, Rhode Island
Pawtucket, Rhode Island
Pawtucket is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 71,148 at the 2010 census. It is the fourth largest city in the state.-History:...
No outs when winning run scored.
Batting
| Eaton | 2B | 10 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Williams Dallas Williams Dallas McKinley Williams is a former professional baseball outfielder and coach. He played parts of two seasons in Major League Baseball with the Baltimore Orioles and Cincinnati Reds, and one season in Nippon Professional Baseball in 1988... |
CF | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ripken | 3B | 13 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Corey | DH | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Chism | PH | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rayford Floyd Rayford Floyd Kinnard Rayford is a retired professional baseball player who played for seven seasons in the Major leagues. He primarily played third base and catcher during his career. He served as batting coach for two seasons with the Rochester Red Wings of the International League until his firing on... |
C | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Logan | 1B | 12 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Valle | 1B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bourjos | LF | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| Hale John Hale (baseball) John Steven Hale is a former outfielder in Major League Baseball. He played from - for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Seattle Mariners.-External links:... |
LF | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Smith | LF | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Hazewood Drungo Hazewood Drungo Hazewood was an outfielder in Major League Baseball. He played for the Baltimore Orioles in 1980.... |
RF | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Hart Mike Hart (switch hitter) James Michael Hart is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played five games for the Texas Rangers in , getting one hit in four at bats. Following his major league career, Hart has had a long career as a minor league manager and coach. His most recent managerial stint was in with the... |
RF | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Bonner | SS | 12 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Huppert Dave Huppert David Blain Huppert is a former catcher in Major League Baseball and the inaugural manager of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs of Minor League Baseball's International League for the season... |
C | 11 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Putman Ed Putman Eddy William Putman is a former Major League Baseball catcher. He played parts of three seasons in the major leagues between and . He played mostly behind the plate, but also played some first base and third base.-Sources:... |
PH | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Totals | 105 | 2 | 18 | 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pawtucket | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Pos. | AB | Run | Hits | RBI |
| Graham | CF | 14 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Barrett | 2B | 12 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Walker Chico Walker Cleotha "Chico" Walker is a former professional baseball player. He played all or part of eleven seasons in Major League Baseball, between 1980 and 1993. He played 40 or more games at five different positions: third base, second base, and all three outfield positions.Walker is the uncle of NBA... |
LF | 14 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Laribee Russ Laribee Russ Laribee is a former professional baseball player.Drafted in the 21st round of the 1977 Draft, Laribee was a minor league outfielder. He played from 1977 through 1981 in the Boston Red Sox system, ascending as high as the team's Triple-A affiliate, the Pawtucket Red Sox... |
DH | 11 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Koza | 1B | 14 | 1 | 5 | 1 |
| Boggs Wade Boggs Wade Anthony Boggs is an American former professional baseball third baseman. He spent his 18-year baseball career primarily with the Boston Red Sox, but also played for the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Devil Rays... |
3B | 12 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| Bowen | RF | 12 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Gedman Rich Gedman Richard Leo Gedman is a former Major League Baseball catcher and left-handed batter who played with the Boston Red Sox , Houston Astros and St... |
C | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Ongarato | PH | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| LaFrancoic | C | 8 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Valdez Julio Valdez Julio Julián Castillo Valdez is a former infielder in Major League Baseball. He played mainly as a shortstop from through for the Boston Red Sox... |
SS | 13 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Totals | 114 | 3 | 21 | 3 | |
Pitching
| Rochester | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K |
| Jones | 8.2 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
| Schneider | 5.1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Luebber | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| Umbarger Jim Umbarger James Harold Umbarger is a former American professional baseball player. A left-handed pitcher at Grant High School in Van Nuys, California, Umbarger was the 33rd pick in the 1971 Major League draft by the Cleveland Indians, but opted to attend Arizona State University. In 1974, The Sporting... |
10 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Grilli Steve Grilli Stephen Joseph Grilli is a former right-handed pitcher for the Detroit Tigers and Toronto Blue Jays. Grilli played for six seasons in baseball, but only played in the major league for parts of four seasons... (L) |
0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Speck | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Totals | 32 | 21 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 26 |
Grilli pitched to 3 batters in the 33rd Speck pitched to 1 batter in the 33rd WP - Jones |
||||||
| Pawtucket | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K |
| Parks | 6 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Aponte Luis Aponte Luis Eduardo Aponte Yuripe is a former right-handed middle relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians... |
4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 9 |
| Sarmiento Manny Sarmiento Manny Sarmiento [sar-ME-EN-toh], born Manuel Eduardo Sarmiento Aponte , is a former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Cincinnati Reds , Seattle Mariners and Pittsburgh Pirates .Sarmiento was a four-year member of Cincinnati's "Big Red Machine"... |
4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Smithson | 3.2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 |
| Remmerswaal Win Remmerswaal Wilhelmus Abraham Remmerswaal is a former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. He batted and threw right-handed. Remmerswaal was born in The Hague, Netherlands. He was the second Dutch-born Major League Baseball player of the modern , following the great Bert Blyleven... |
4.1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Finch | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Hurst Bruce Hurst Bruce Vee Hurst is a former Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher. He is best remembered for his brilliant performance for the Boston Red Sox in the postseason. He was even named World Series M.V.P... |
5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Ojeda Bob Ojeda Robert Michael Ojeda is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. Ojeda is best remembered as an anchor in the 1986 World Series Champion New York Mets starting rotation , and for being the lone survivor of a March 22, boating accident that killed fellow Cleveland Indians pitchers... (W) |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Totals | 33 | 18 | 2 | 2 | 18 | 34 |
| Parks pitched to 3 batters in the 7th WP - Smithson, Hurst. |
||||||
Game notes and statistics
- Russ LaribeeRuss LaribeeRuss Laribee is a former professional baseball player.Drafted in the 21st round of the 1977 Draft, Laribee was a minor league outfielder. He played from 1977 through 1981 in the Boston Red Sox system, ascending as high as the team's Triple-A affiliate, the Pawtucket Red Sox...
of the PawSox went 0-11, striking out seven times, becoming the first player in history to surpass the titanium sombreroGolden sombreroIn baseball, golden sombrero is a slang term used to describe a player's inglorious feat of striking out four times in a single game.-Origin:The term derives from hat trick, and since four is bigger than three, the rationale was that a four-strikeout performance should be referred to by a bigger...
. - Between the two teams, pitchers faced a total of 246 batters (219 AB, 23 BB, 4 HBP).
- A total of 882 pitches were thrown.
- Pawtucket's Dave Koza had the most hits of any player in the game: five, including the game-winner.
- 53 runners were left on base (30 by Rochester and 23 by Pawtucket).
Players involved
Two future Hall of FamersNational Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is an American history museum and hall of fame, located at 25 Main Street in Cooperstown, New York, operated by private interests serving as the central point for the study of the history of baseball in the United States and beyond, the display of...
were part of the historic game. Cal Ripken, Jr.
Cal Ripken, Jr.
Calvin Edwin "Cal" Ripken, Jr. , nicknamed "Iron Man", is a former Major League Baseball shortstop and third baseman. He played his entire 21-year baseball career for the Baltimore Orioles ....
, who was inducted in 2007, went 2-13 on the night playing third base for Rochester. Wade Boggs
Wade Boggs
Wade Anthony Boggs is an American former professional baseball third baseman. He spent his 18-year baseball career primarily with the Boston Red Sox, but also played for the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Devil Rays...
, who was inducted in 2005, played third base for Pawtucket and went 4-12 with a double
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
and an RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
. Ripken was the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
's Rookie-of-the-Year in 1982
1982 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series Champion: St. Louis Cardinals*World Series MVP: Darrell Porter**American League Championship Series MVP: Fred Lynn**National League Championship Series MVP: Darrell Porter...
. The Baseball Hall of Fame possesses other artifacts of the game, including the official scorecard.
23 other future major leaguers played in the game.
- From Pawtucket:
- Bob OjedaBob OjedaRobert Michael Ojeda is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. Ojeda is best remembered as an anchor in the 1986 World Series Champion New York Mets starting rotation , and for being the lone survivor of a March 22, boating accident that killed fellow Cleveland Indians pitchers...
, the winner of the game after pitching a scoreless 33rd inning, would go on to pitch for 15 major league seasons, most notably for the New York MetsNew York MetsThe New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
(going 18-5 in 1986 to help the team win the World SeriesWorld SeriesThe World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
that year), Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
, and Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles DodgersThe Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
. While many of Pawtucket's players would play key roles in the 1986 World Series1986 World SeriesThe 1986 World Series pitted the New York Mets against the Boston Red Sox. It was cited in the legend of the "Curse of the Bambino" to explain the error by Bill Buckner in Game 6 that allowed the Mets to extend the series to a seventh game...
as members of the Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
, Ojeda would go on to play for their opponent, the New York MetsNew York MetsThe New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
. He then became the lone survivor in a boat crash that claimed the lives of 2 other pitchers in spring training before Ojeda's first season with the Cleveland IndiansCleveland IndiansThe Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
. - Bruce HurstBruce HurstBruce Vee Hurst is a former Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher. He is best remembered for his brilliant performance for the Boston Red Sox in the postseason. He was even named World Series M.V.P...
pitched for 15 seasons in the majors for the Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
and San Diego PadresSan Diego PadresThe San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
. His career record was 145-113, a .562 winning percentage. - Rich GedmanRich GedmanRichard Leo Gedman is a former Major League Baseball catcher and left-handed batter who played with the Boston Red Sox , Houston Astros and St...
caught for the Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
for most of his 13-year major league career. - Marty Barrett played ten major league seasons at second base for the Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
and San Diego PadresSan Diego PadresThe San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
, hitting .278 for his career. - Chico WalkerChico WalkerCleotha "Chico" Walker is a former professional baseball player. He played all or part of eleven seasons in Major League Baseball, between 1980 and 1993. He played 40 or more games at five different positions: third base, second base, and all three outfield positions.Walker is the uncle of NBA...
later played 11 seasons in the majors with the Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
, Chicago CubsChicago CubsThe Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
, California AngelsLos Angeles Angels of AnaheimThe Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
, and New York MetsNew York MetsThe New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
. - Mike Smithson started 204 games for the Texas RangersTexas Rangers (baseball)The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
, Minnesota TwinsMinnesota TwinsThe Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
, and Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
. - Manny SarmientoManny SarmientoManny Sarmiento [sar-ME-EN-toh], born Manuel Eduardo Sarmiento Aponte , is a former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Cincinnati Reds , Seattle Mariners and Pittsburgh Pirates .Sarmiento was a four-year member of Cincinnati's "Big Red Machine"...
pitched in 228 major league games for the Cincinnati RedsCincinnati RedsThe Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
, Seattle MarinersSeattle MarinersThe Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
, and Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh PiratesThe Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
. - Luis AponteLuis AponteLuis Eduardo Aponte Yuripe is a former right-handed middle relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians...
made 110 pitching appearances as a reliever with the Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
and Cleveland IndiansCleveland IndiansThe Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
. - Julio ValdezJulio ValdezJulio Julián Castillo Valdez is a former infielder in Major League Baseball. He played mainly as a shortstop from through for the Boston Red Sox...
played 65 games with the Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
, mostly serving as a shortstop and second baseman.
- Bob Ojeda
- From Rochester:
- Floyd RayfordFloyd RayfordFloyd Kinnard Rayford is a retired professional baseball player who played for seven seasons in the Major leagues. He primarily played third base and catcher during his career. He served as batting coach for two seasons with the Rochester Red Wings of the International League until his firing on...
went on to play third base and catch for seven years with the Baltimore OriolesBaltimore OriolesThe Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
and the St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis CardinalsThe St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
. His best year was 1985, when he hit .306 with 18 home runs and 48 RBI. - Jim UmbargerJim UmbargerJames Harold Umbarger is a former American professional baseball player. A left-handed pitcher at Grant High School in Van Nuys, California, Umbarger was the 33rd pick in the 1971 Major League draft by the Cleveland Indians, but opted to attend Arizona State University. In 1974, The Sporting...
appeared in 133 games as a pitcher for the Texas RangersTexas Rangers (baseball)The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
and Oakland AthleticsOakland AthleticsThe Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
. - Steve GrilliSteve GrilliStephen Joseph Grilli is a former right-handed pitcher for the Detroit Tigers and Toronto Blue Jays. Grilli played for six seasons in baseball, but only played in the major league for parts of four seasons...
(father of Jason GrilliJason GrilliJason Michael Grilli is an Italian-American professional baseball pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball...
) pitched in 70 games, mostly as a reliever for the Detroit TigersDetroit TigersThe Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
. - Cliff SpeckCliff SpeckRobert Clifford "Cliff" Speck was a pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Atlanta Braves in 1986. His debut was on July 30, 1986.-References:...
went on to pitch for the Atlanta BravesAtlanta BravesThe Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
in 1986, appearing in 13 games, including one start. - Mark CoreyMark Corey (outfielder)Mark Mundell Corey, born November 3, 1955, is an American former Major League Baseball player from Tucumcari, New Mexico.-Career:Drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 2nd round of the 1976 amateur draft out of Central Arizona College, Corey appeared in 59 games as an outfielder for the Orioels...
played in 59 games in his three years as a Baltimore OrioleBaltimore OriolesThe Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
outfielder. - Bobby BonnerBobby BonnerRobert Averill Bonner is a former professional baseball player. He played parts of four seasons in Major League Baseball, from 1980 and 1983, all for the Baltimore Orioles, primarily as a shortstop...
played for four years in the early '80s as a middle-infielder with the Baltimore OriolesBaltimore OriolesThe Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
.
- Floyd Rayford