Major-league players were on strike at the time, and the Rochester-Pawtucket deadlock received national media attention.
The marathon resumed on June 23 before 5,756 fans. Millions more listened to the game worldwide on the Armed Forces Radio Network and other national and international news outlets. About 140 press credentials were issued, including representatives from a Japanese magazine and the BBC.
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle columnist Bob Minzesheimer wrote that day, “Not since the time they had to shoot the drunken camel at the city zoo has there been this much excitement in Pawtucket.’’
Ripken singled in the top of the 33rd but was stranded. Steve Grilli, who had opened the season with the Toronto Blue Jays, pitched the bottom of the 33rd for Rochester.
“I was honored that Doc Edwards had given me the ball,’’ Grilli recalls. “He pulled me aside and said ‘You’re a veteran who has pitched in the big leagues, so this won’t bother you.’’
Except that it did.
Grilli hit Marty Barrett with his first pitch, then allowed a full-count single to Walker that sent Barrett to third. Russ Laribee was walked intentionally.
Cliff Speck was brought in. Eighteen minutes into the 33rd inning, the PawSox’ Dave Koza greeted Speck by slapping a marathon-winning single to left, his fifth hit of the game to clinch it for the Pawtucket Red Sox 3-2 over the Rochester Red Wings.
