OTD in 1963: Willie Mays Walk-Off HR Ended Extra Innings Duel Between HOFs

By Sam Grigsby, PSO Director of Sports History
Jul 02, 2021

July 2, 1963: HOF SPs Juan Marichal (Giants) and Warren Spahn (Braves) dueled for a whole 15 innings, but Giants OF Willie Mays hit a walk-off HR in the 16th inning off of Spahn to finally end the game after midnight, marking the longest game in NL history to be ended on a HR pic.twitter.com/gG5tAcBnRI
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) July 2, 2021

Today in baseball history, fans of America’s pastime are reminded about Willie Mays’ extra-inning blast to seal the victory over the Milwaukee Braves. Mays’ solo shot came in the bottom of the 16th, ending the longest game in the history of the Senior Circuit at the time.

Before Willie Mays ended the game, MIL’s Warren Spahn and SFG’s Juan Marichal both delivered the performances of their lifetimes by throwing shutout ball through 15 strenuous innings. Spahn’s spectacular performance (15.1 IP, 9 Hs, 1 BB, and 2 Ks) which resulted in a loss in the box score is among the game’s toughest losses while the other HOF on the mound came away with an all-time victory.