That’s how many pitches were thrown by 42-year-old Warren Spahn 53 years ago today. On the 262nd, Willie Mays homered to break a scoreless tie. In the bottom of the 16th.
“He ought to will his body to medical science,” said Hall of Famer Carl Hubbell, who was in attendance at Candlestick Park for the epic duel won by Juan Marichal, who hurled 16 shutout innings and threw 227 pitches. Marichal was 25.
Marichal was scheduled to bat third that inning. (Orlando) Cepeda later recalled the moment in a 1998 memoir.