Longest Professional Baseball Game Ever Played

By Sarah Miller · April 2, 2044

The longest professional baseball game in history lasted 33 innings and spanned three days, played between the Pawtucket Red Sox and the Rochester Red Wings in 1981. This International League matchup totaled over 8 hours and 25 minutes of play time and remains a record for both minor league and professional baseball.

Overview of the Longest Professional Baseball Game

On April 18, 1981, the Triple-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, the Pawtucket Red Sox, faced off against the Rochester Red Wings, the Baltimore Orioles' affiliate, in what would become the longest game in professional baseball history. The game began at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and was suspended at 4:07 AM on April 19 after 32 innings. It resumed on June 23, 1981, and concluded in the bottom of the 33rd inning with a walk-off single by Pawtucket's Dave McCarty.

Key Facts About the Game

Duration: 8 hours and 25 minutes (played over three separate days)
Start Date: April 18, 1981
Suspension Time: 4:07 AM, April 19
Resumption Date: June 23, 1981
Final Score: Pawtucket Red Sox 3, Rochester Red Wings 2
Winning Run: Scored on a bases-loaded walk-off single by Dave McCarty
Attendance: Approximately 1,740 at conclusion

Why Did the Game Last So Long?

Several factors contributed to the unprecedented length of this game:

No Innings Limit: Minor league games do not have a set innings limit, allowing games to continue until a winner is decided.
Extra-Innings Rules: At the time, there were no tiebreaker rules such as the modern runner-on-second rule.
Player Endurance: Both teams used all available position players and pitchers, with some players taking turns batting and fielding from exhaustion.
Weather and Darkness: Though not a factor in suspension, games could be paused due to external conditions, but this game continued well past midnight under lights.

Notable Players Involved

Though most players were minor leaguers, several went on to have notable MLB careers:

Cal Ripken Jr. – Played first base for Rochester; later became one of MLB’s most iconic players and Iron Man record holder.
Wade Boggs – Played third base for Pawtucket; Hall of Famer and five-time AL batting champion.
Bill Nahorodny – Catcher for Pawtucket who caught a record 33 innings.
Dave Huppert – Pawtucket catcher who also caught over 30 innings in relief.

Game Statistics and Detailed Breakdown

Statistic	Pawtucket Red Sox	Rochester Red Wings
Innings Played	33	33
Total At-Bats	134	131
Runs Scored	3	2
Hits	31	26
Strikeouts	51	47
Walks	32	29
Pitchers Used	11	10
Catchers Used	3	2
Longest At-Bat (Pitches)	13 (Boggs)	12 (Johnson)
Time of Game	8 hours, 25 minutes

Table data source:1, 2

The statistical output shows an extraordinary level of endurance and strategy. With over 260 total at-bats and nearly 100 combined strikeouts and walks, the game demonstrated extreme pitcher fatigue and plate discipline. The low run totals highlight defensive resilience and scoring inefficiency despite constant offensive pressure.

Impact on Baseball Rules and Culture

This marathon game influenced future discussions about player safety and scheduling:

Minor leagues began reviewing policies on overnight games and player rest.
The game highlighted the need for extra-innings modifications, eventually leading to experimental rules in lower leagues.
It inspired documentaries, books, and retrospectives, including a PBS American Experience episode titled "The Longest Game."
The event remains a cultural touchstone for fans of minor league baseball and endurance sports.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Longest Professional Baseball Game

How many innings did the longest professional baseball game last?

The longest professional baseball game lasted 33 innings, played between the Pawtucket Red Sox and the Rochester Red Wings in 1981.

When was the longest baseball game played?

The game started on April 18, 1981, was suspended early on April 19, and resumed on June 23, 1981, concluding the same day.

Who won the longest professional baseball game?

The Pawtucket Red Sox won the game 3–2 in the bottom of the 33rd inning on a walk-off single by Dave McCarty.

Did Cal Ripken Jr. play in the longest baseball game?

Yes, Cal Ripken Jr. played first base for the Rochester Red Wings during the game, logging over 30 innings before being substituted.

Has any Major League Baseball game ever gone this long?

No MLB game has reached 33 innings. The longest MLB game by innings was 26, played between the Brooklyn Dodgers and Boston Braves in 1920. The longest by time was a 25-inning game between the Chicago White Sox and Milwaukee Brewers in 1984, lasting 8 hours and 6 minutes.