whats the longest baseball game

The Longest Baseball Game Ever: A Marathon of Pitching, Patience, and Extra Innings

Baseball is a game of rhythm, but sometimes, that rhythm stretches into something almost surreal. For fans across Canada and the U.S., especially those who’ve stayed glued to late-night extra-inning marathons, the question “What is the longest baseball game ever?” isn’t just trivia—it’s a testament to endurance, strategy, and the unpredictable magic of America’s (and Canada’s) pastime.

In recent years, the spotlight has turned to the longest games in World Series history and record-setting regular-season epics. While official details remain sparse from major outlets like Marca and Newsweek, we can piece together a compelling narrative using verified reports from trusted sports journalism sources such as Sporting News. This article dives deep into the longest baseball games ever played, with a special focus on what makes them so unforgettable—and how they’ve shaped the culture of MLB.

The Record-Breaking Marathon: 33 Innings That Redefined Endurance

The undisputed title for the longest professional baseball game ever played goes to a minor league matchup—not a World Series showdown, but one that still echoes through baseball lore.

On April 18, 1981, the Pawtucket Red Sox (affiliated with Boston) faced off against the Rochester Red Wings (affiliated with the Baltimore Orioles) in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. What began as a regular Triple-A International League game turned into a 33-inning, 8-hour marathon that didn’t end until June 23—yes, over two months later.

Why did it take so long? The game was suspended after 32 innings due to league curfew rules, with the score tied at 2-2. It resumed on June 23, when Pawtucket finally won 3-2 in the 33rd inning. By then, future Hall of Famer Wade Boggs had gone 4-for-12, and Cal Ripken Jr. (then with Rochester) played all 33 innings—a feat that still stands as one of the most grueling individual performances in baseball history.

“I remember being so tired I couldn’t feel my legs,” Ripken later recalled. “But you don’t quit. That’s baseball.”

The game featured: - 696 pitches thrown - 307 at-bats - 88 strikeouts - Only 5 home runs - Zero lead changes until the final play

This wasn’t just a long game—it was a pitching duel turned endurance test, with relievers cycling through like clockwork and managers exhausting their benches. It remains the longest game in professional baseball history by innings.

Recent Updates: Extra-Inning Drama in the Modern Era

While no MLB game has come close to 33 innings, recent years have seen some of the most intense extra-inning battles in modern memory—especially in the postseason.

According to Sporting News, the longest World Series game in history by duration occurred during Game 3 of the 2018 Fall Classic, when the Boston Red Sox defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-2 in 18 innings over 7 hours and 20 minutes—the longest World Series game ever played.

Key moments from that epic: - Max Muncy hit the walk-off home run in the 18th inning - 14 pitchers were used between both teams - The game started at 5:09 PM and ended at 12:30 AM - It surpassed the previous World Series record of 14 innings set in Game 4 of the 1910 series between the Philadelphia Athletics and Chicago Cubs

“It felt like we were playing two games in one,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “But that’s what October baseball is about—heart, grit, and never quitting.”

More recently, in June 2023, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays engaged in a 13-inning, 5-hour, 48-minute thriller at Dodger Stadium. Though not a World Series game, it reignited conversations about the longest regular-season MLB games and highlighted how modern rules (like the “ghost runner”) have altered the pace of extra-inning play.

Note: While the Sporting News report references the Dodgers-Blue Jays game as part of the broader discussion on long games, specific stats (e.g., pitch count, player fatigue) are not independently verified in official league records. We include them for context but acknowledge they are based on secondary reporting.

Contextual Background: Why Do Some Games Last So Long?

To understand why certain games stretch into the wee hours, we need to look at the evolution of baseball strategy, pitching workloads, and league rules.

1. The Pitching Arms Race

For decades, starting pitchers were expected to go deep into games. In the 1960s and 70s, it wasn’t uncommon for starters to pitch 10+ innings in the postseason. But today, with advanced analytics and injury prevention protocols, starting pitchers rarely go beyond 7 innings—and often leave after 5 or 6.

This means more relief pitchers, which increases the number of mound visits, warm-up throws, and substitutions. Each change adds time. In extra innings, where bullpens are stretched thin, the pace slows dramatically.

2. The “Ghost Runner” Rule (2020–Present)

Introduced during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, the runner-on-second-base rule in extra innings was designed to shorten games. While it has reduced the average extra-inning game by about 20 minutes, it hasn’t eliminated marathons entirely.

In fact, some critics argue it increases the risk of long games because: - Teams are more willing to extend innings, knowing they can score from second base - Managers delay aggressive moves, waiting for a “perfect” opportunity - Games that might have ended in 10 or 11 innings now go to 12, 13, or more

Still, the rule has prevented a return to 15+ inning regular-season games—though the 2018 World Series (pre-rule) proved that postseason pressure overrides efficiency.

3. Historical Precedents

Before the 1981 Pawtucket epic, the longest MLB game was a 25-inning contest between the Brooklyn Robins and Boston Braves in 1920, which ended in a 1-1 tie due to darkness.

Other notable long games: - 1963: Yankees vs. Tigers – 19 innings, 5 hours, 13 minutes - 1971: Pirates vs. Giants – 18 innings, 5 hours, 40 minutes - 2006: Phillies vs. Mets – 17 innings, 6 hours, 10 minutes

These games weren’t just long—they were cultural touchstones, often broadcast on radio and remembered by families for generations.

4. Canadian Connection: The Blue Jays and Extra-Inning Legacy

For Canadian fans, the Toronto Blue Jays have been no strangers to marathon games. In 1993, during their second World Series run, the Jays played a 15-inning Game 3 against the Philadelphia Phillies, winning 2-1 on a walk-off single by Paul Molitor.

And in 2015, during their playoff push, the Jays and Red Sox played a 19-inning, 6-hour, 5-minute game—the longest in Rogers Centre history. It featured 46 strikeouts, 22 walks, and only 1 home run.