Ross Porter looks back on 22 innings of history

Twenty-four years Friday, Ross Porter called all 22 innings of a 1-0 Dodgers victory over the Expos in Montreal. It was the Dodgers' second 22-inning game of the 1989 season, and Porter was alone in the booth because Vin Scully did not continue to Montreal after the first two legs of the road trip, and because Don Drysdale flew home to be with his wife for the birth of their second son.

Rick Dempsey, who caught the final 15 innings of the game for the Dodgers one month shy of his 40th birthday, belted a home run in the 22nd inning for the game's only run.

But perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the game was this note from Porter, who recalled the game on his website:

My wife, Lin, who was with me on the trip, sat next to me in the booth. To the left were the French speaking announcers for the Expos, and to the right were the Dodgers’ Spanish speaking broadcasters.

The game was scoreless for 15 innings. Lin asked me if she could get me a drink. I said no because there was no time to get to the restroom and back, if necessary.

Alfredo Griffin went 0-for-9 for the Dodgers in that game batting leadoff. Fernando Valenzuela, who pitched six innings on Tuesday, Aug. 22, the day before the 22-inning contest, pinch hit in the 17th inning and struck out.

No Dodgers batter walked in the game.

Orel Hershiser started and pitched seven scoreless innings; he also pitched seven scoreless innings in relief in the other 22-inning game that season, on June 3 in Houston. Alejandro Pena pitched four scoreless innings with five strikeouts for the Dodgers. John Wetteland pitched the final six scoreless innings for the win.

Also noted by Porter, it was the longest solo broadcast in MLB history.