BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Ojeda Looks Back at the Longest Game

Today is the 10th anniversary of the beginning of the game in which Bob Ojeda recorded the most unusual victory of his career.

The Dodger pitcher was the winner in the longest game in professional baseball history, a 33-inning contest between triple-A Pawtucket (R.I.) and Rochester (N.Y.).

Ojeda, a prospect for the Red Sox at the time, actually saw less of the game than nearly everyone involved. When it reached the 20th inning after midnight on April 19, 1981, he drove to his apartment because he was scheduled to be the starting pitcher the next day. When the game was finally suspended after 32 innings, with the score tied, 2-2, Ojeda was sleeping.

When the game was resumed June 23, it was Ojeda’s day to start. He worked one inning, the 33rd. When Pawtucket scored in the bottom of that inning, the game was over and he was the winner.

“I threw 13 pitches and that was that,” Ojeda said. “Strangest start I ever made. With all the national attention on me, I’m just glad I didn’t mess up.”