Fast Finish

The longest game ends quickly

First Baseman Dave Koza did not get to bed on April 18. That night, Koza and his teammates on the Class AAA Pawtucket (R.I.) Red Sox began the longest game in the history of professional baseball, an 8-hr. 7-min., 32-inning endurance contest with the visiting Rochester (N.Y.) Red Wings. The game was finally called at 4:09 the next morning with the score tied 2-2. Since then, Koza, 26, has caught up on his sleep--and spun a few dreams. "I've been thinking about being the hero," Koza said. "I'd go to bed thinking about it."

His dream came true. When the game was resumed in Pawtucket last week, it took only 18 minutes to finish. Koza hit a bases-loaded single in the bottom of the 33rd to drive across the winning run. At least 13 records were set in the game, and Koza's bat (he was 5 for 14) will be enshrined at Cooperstown, N.Y. Said Koza: "I guess this is the only way I'll make it to the Hall of Fame."

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