Revisiting a Memorable Game

Tiger Stadium, located at the intersection of Michigan and Trumbull, was a cherished destination for my father and childhood friends back in the 1960s. It was the venue of my first Major League game, a memory that remains vivid 63 years later.

A Walk-Down Memory Lane

Reflecting on this nostalgia, I was reminded of Dodgers’ star Freddie Freeman rounding the bases after a walk-off home run in Game 3 of the World Series just recently. This prompted thoughts of my own first Major League experience on June 24, 1962, when I watched a thrilling 22-inning game unfold at Tiger Stadium. This special place was where my father shared similar memories, having first glimpsed the game as a boy by peering through a wooden fence, when it was still Navin Field in 1912.

The Heart of a Marathon

The deciding moment of that 1962 game came when Jack Reed belted a solo homer, his only one in 129 major league at-bats, off Tigers pitcher Phil Regan, bringing home Roger Maris. Rookie Jim Bouton pitched the final seven innings for the Yankees, allowing no runs on just one hit.

Notable Performances

Detroit’s formidable left fielder, Rocky Colavito, put on a show of his own, amassing seven hits in ten at-bats. Yet, it was Bouton who ultimately clinched the victory for the Yankees, striking out Norm Cash for the final out, leading to a 9-7 win. This nail-biter contributed to the Yankees’ eventual championship that year.

Lasting Impressions

Years later, a visit to the Baseball Hall of Fame showcased a display of that memorable game, recorded as lasting precisely seven hours. Joe Falls, the game’s official scorer, amusingly noted that he had to round the time up to the nearest hour. Our friendship blossomed over shared stories as I covered the Tigers for various publications.

A Chance Encounter

At one spring training in Lakeland, Florida, I had the privilege of meeting Yankees legend Yogi Berra. When I mentioned that the 22-inning game was my first, Yogi casually remarked that he had caught every inning, seemingly unfazed by the endurance required.

Discovering the Game’s Nuances

Thanks to resources like Baseball Reference, I explored every at-bat from that historical game. The first run I witnessed was attributed to Bobby Richardson, thanks to a single that set off a sequence of events leading to a score. I remembered only the thrill of watching the game-winning shot by Reed and the joy of being there with my dad amidst a crowd of 35,368 other fans.

Shaping a Lifelong Passion

That 22-inning contest remains one of only nine in Major League history. It fueled my lifelong love for baseball, a passion solidified when my cousin, Margie, offered me baseball cards as a bribe to be her ring bearer – a moment that irrevocably bound me to this beautiful game.