The Long Game

On This Day In 1967 - A nine-hour and five-minute doubleheader between the Tigers and Athletics is the longest by game time in the American League ever. The first game includes a rain delay, and the second goes 19 innings before a Dave Duncan home run wins it 6-5 for the A's. Detroit takes the opener 7-6.

With all the rain we had this weekend and on Monday, there was question if we would even be able to play. The fields drained well and the grounds crew was out early to insure we got our game in. Thirty two players came out and  a great game was played with the outcome not known till the last at bat.

 

Ron Thompson managed the hitting team which included Constantine, Dampier, Marino, Gonzalez, Zelazny, DeRidder, Thompson, Abney, Moots, Smith, and Strait.They started strong by scoring the first five runs without making an out. Doubles by Constantine, Dampier, and Gonzalez helped the cause. Despite not scoring in the second, fourth, and sixth innings, they maintained their early lead by scoring two in the third and three in the fifth. Constantine,s home run and doubles by Gonzalez and Smith were the big hits.

 

The sitting team was lead by Donnie Witmer and was comprised of M  Gonzalez, Witmer, Coffman, King, Chrest, Schapler,  Mohan, Leggett, Baker, and Powell. While playing great defense, their bats never woke up. They managed a scant two runs with Powell's triple being the only extra base hit through six.

 

The fielding team was managed by Ron Butler. His roster included Rivera, Lopez, Laffoon, Giordano, Jacobs, Butler, Herbie, Hill, Wells, Merritt, and Gibson. Having not scored in the first two innings, they found themselves dead last. Their fortunes changed in the third as Rivera's home run helped them score five big runs. They scored again in the fourth and added three in the  sixth with doubles by Jacobs and Wells.

Going into the seventh inning, Thompson's hitting team held a one run lead over Ron Butler's Fielding team. Unfortunately, they went three and out so had to play some defense and then sit by and hope Donnie's sitting team could shut down Butler's group. They managed to pay solid defense, turning a double play along the way to keep their run total to two. So now the question was could Donnie hold Butler's team from scoring. Jose lead off and scored to knot up the game at ten. With the winning run on second, Jacobs hit a long fly ball that was run down for the final out. Final score 10-2-10. 

 

Key Performances

 

Chris Constantine    3 for 4 with a double and home run

Rich Marino            3 for 3

Dean Schapler        2 for 3

Bernie Mohan          2 for 3

Jimmy Laffoon         3 for 4

Charlie Giordano      3 for 4

Herbie O                   2 for 3

Duff Hill                    2 for 3

John Merritt              3 for 3