Robin Roberts 17 Inning Marathon win of 60 Years Ago Illustrates How Game Has Changed

[philliesfiend55]

Here's a gem from the Phillies Insider column written by Larry Shenk, the Phillies PR director for 44 years (December 1963-October 2007) and now their alumni director.

60 Years Ago This Month, On September 6, 1952 Hall Of Famer Robin Roberts went the distance in a 7-6 Phillies win over the Boston Braves in 17 innings.
Roberts pitching line was 17 Innings Pitched, 18 hits, 6 Runs, 5 Earned Runs, 5 Strikeouts and just 2 Bases On Balls.
No starting position player was held hitless but Phillies Hall Of Fame Centerfielder, Richie Ashburn and Boston's 2B Jack Dittmer managed only 1 for 8 performances.
Two-Time National League all-star outfielder, the Braves' Sid Gordon had the best individual hitting performance of the day, going 5 for 8 off Roberts (all singles).

There was no pitch count kept on Roberts' performance, but it seems like a little over 200 pitches thrown would be a fairly good estimate.

[Ben Grimm]

In all honesty, it doesn't seem like a good move by O'Neill (the manager). Roberts was down 5-2 after the sixth inning and was due to lead off the 7th. When he led off the inning, the Phillies were at a 9% win expectancy. Any manager would put a pinch hitter in this spot. Robin struck out and the Phils wend down in order. Win expectancy dropped to 6%. Eddie Mathews led off the 8th with a home run making it 6-2 Boston with 0 outs in the eighth.

It makes no sense to have had Roberts in beyond the 6th let alone after giving up a leadoff bomb in the 8th. The bullpen was rested as Konstanty went the distance the previous night. The Phils had a 3% chance of winning after that homer, and only blind luck bailed him out after some questionable PH calls.

[Ben Grimm]

Ironically, the Phils played a 17-inning game on this very date back in 1974. Look at the difference here. 27 players used by the Phillies in this marathon, and their pitcher was never down in a bad spot - unlike Roberts.

>>Boxscore Here<<

[philliesfiend55]

Ironically, the Phils played a 17-inning game on this very date back in 1974. Look at the difference here. 27 players used by the Phillies in this marathon, and their pitcher was never down in a bad spot - unlike Roberts.

>>Boxscore Here<<

They used a few September callups that barely got into any games that year (1974). I don't think I 've ever seen a team use more than 25 men in a regular season game (Only possible after the rosters expand each Sept. 1.)

[ipitch]

They used a few September callups that barely got into any games that year (1974). I don't think I 've ever seen a team use more than 25 men in a regular season game (Only possible after the rosters expand each Sept. 1.)

The A's used 30 in this game. Not sure if that's the record.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/OAK/OAK197209190.shtml