1981 Pawtucket Red Sox Ticket Stub from the Longest Game in Professional Baseball History

Sold For:

$180

Year:

1981

Auction:

2015 Spring

Lot #:

1061

Category:

Post-1900 Baseball Memorabilia

On April 18, 1981, the Pawtucket Red Sox and Rochester Red Wings (the triple A affiliates for the Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles, respectively) began what would be the longest game in professional baseball history. Thirty-two innings later, at 4:09 in the morning, the game was finally halted with the score deadlocked at 2-2 (only nineteen fans remained in the stands at the time). The game was then resumed on June 23rd (when the Red Wings returned to Pawtucket for another series). Mercifully, the game lasted just one more inning before the Red Sox finally prevailed 3-2 in 33 innings. All told, the game took 8 hours and 25 minutes to complete. Many future major league players took part in the game, including Wade Boggs, Cal Ripken Jr., Bobby Ojeda, Bruce Hurst, and Marty Barrett. Offered here is a ticket stub to the resumption of the game held on June 23rd. Although the June 23rd game was attended by 5,800 fans, all of whom wanted to witness history, stubs from the game are scarce. This is the first example we have ever handled and we cannot recall having seen any others at auction. The stub (1.5 x 3 inches) features a single cancellation hole in the center and remains in Excellent to Mint condition. Reserve $100. Estimate $300+. SOLD FOR $180