Baseball has always been a game that stretches time – where every pitch, every pause, and every heartbeat between plays feels eternal. Across more than a century of World Series history, some games have burned quickly like a spark, while others have unfolded slowly, testing the patience and endurance of everyone involved.
But what happens when a single World Series game refuses to end – lasting not just innings, but hours upon hours, deep into the night?
The longest game in World Series history
That question was answered in 2018, when two powerhouses, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Boston Red Sox, played a contest that redefined the limits of the sport. For 18 innings and 7 hours and 20 minutes, players pushed their bodies to exhaustion and fans lived through every tense moment until one final swing – a home run – brought the endless duel to a close. The Dodgers prevailed, 3-2, in the longest game ever played in World Series history.
That night became more than a game; it became a symbol of baseball’s timeless nature – proof that sometimes, the most unforgettable moments are those that seem like they will never end.
Top 5 Longest World Series Games in history
- Game 3, 2018: Los Angeles Dodgers 3, Boston Red Sox 2 – 7 hours 20 minutes (18 innings)
- Game 3, 2005: Chicago White Sox 7, Houston Astros 5 – 5 hours 41 minutes (14 innings)
- Game 3, 2025: Los Angeles Dodgers vs Toronto Blue Jays TBD – 5 hours and counting (14 innings)
- Game 1, 2015: Kansas City Royals 5, New York Mets 4 – 5 hours 9 minutes (14 innings)
- Game 1, 2000: New York Yankees 4, New York Mets 3 – 4 hours 51 minutes (12 innings)
In the history of the World Series, the numbers tell one story – innings, hours, and final scores – but the essence lies elsewhere. These marathon games capture what makes baseball eternal: endurance, strategy, and emotion woven into every pitch.
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