Triple play (baseball)
Encyclopedia
In baseball
, a triple play (denoted by TP) is the rare act of making three outs
during the same continuous play.
There are many ways a triple play can be performed; most of them are done with runners on first and second base. Typically, a ball hit to the shortstop
or third baseman
is fielded, the runner heading to third is forced out
or tagged out
, the ball is thrown to second base for a force play, and then finally to first to throw out the batter. Another common sequence (to the extent such plays can be called common) is a line drive
to the shortstop or second baseman
that is caught without the runners noticing or after they have taken large leads (as in the case of a hit and run
), the runners then being forced or tagged out when they fail to tag up
.
Triple plays are relatively rare, since a triple play requires at least two runners already on base, no outs, a batted ball hit in a way that allows it to be fielded cleanly so that three baserunners (always including the batter) can be put out or unusual incompetence in baserunning, and quick action from the fielders to perform. The unassisted triple play
, a triple play in which only one fielder handles the ball, is the least common type of triple play, and is arguably the rarest occurrence in baseball: it has happened only 15 times since 1900 at the major league level. Triple plays, even of the unassisted variety, are not extraordinarily difficult for major league fielders to achieve; their rarity is due to their dependence on specific circumstances arising in a game.
According to the Society for American Baseball Research
, there have been 684 triple plays in Major League Baseball
from 1876 to April 4, 2011. The most recent triple play, number 687, was recorded September 27th, 2011 by the Tampa Bay Rays
against the New York Yankees
at Tropicana Field
.
In 1973, Baltimore Orioles
third baseman
Brooks Robinson
started two 5–4–3
triple plays: one on July 7 against the Oakland Athletics
' Gene Tenace
, and one on September 20 against the Tigers' Frank Howard. In both cases, Bobby Grich
was the second baseman.
Playing against the Boston Red Sox
on July 17, 1990, the Minnesota Twins
became the first (and to date the only) team in baseball history to turn two triple plays in the same game. Both triple plays were 5-4-3 plays (Gary Gaetti
- Al Newman
- Kent Hrbek
). Jody Reed
was the first out in the fourth inning play and the final out (batting) in the eighth inning play. Despite their defensive heroics, the Twins lost the game 1–0.
While playing with the New York Yankees
in 1982, Bobby Murcer
, Graig Nettles
, and Roy Smalley got caught in a bizarre 2
-5
-3
-1
triple play. Smalley had struck out
(Out #1), and meanwhile the runners from 1st
and 2nd
had taken off in an attempt to steal second and third. The ball was thrown to 3rd
(played by Gary Gaetti
). Gaetti chased Murcer back to 2nd base and tagged him but he was called safe. Gaetti then threw the ball to 1st baseman Kent Hrbek
to tag Nettles who was caught between 1st and 2nd (Out #2). During this, Murcer had attempted to take off from 2nd again. The ball was thrown from Hrbek to 3rd base to pitcher
Terry Felton
, who was now covering 3rd base and tagged Murcer (Out #3).
and the Minnesota Twins
at the Metrodome
in Minneapolis, Minnesota's Luis Castillo
popped up a bunt attempt with two runners on in the bottom of the sixth inning. The ball was caught by Chicago first baseman
Paul Konerko
for the first out. Konerko then threw to second baseman
Tadahito Iguchi
covering first to double up Shannon Stewart who was on the move. Iguchi then threw to shortstop
Juan Uribe
covering second to triple off Nick Punto
, also on the move. The play was the White Sox's first since July 7, 2004 against the Angels
and the first against the Twins since September 18, 1996.
Thirteen days later at the Metrodome, during a game between the Minnesota Twins and the Seattle Mariners
on May 27, 2006, Seattle's Kenji Johjima
hit a ground ball to Luis Castillo with the bases loaded in the top of the eighth inning. As Richie Sexson
scored, Castillo ran down Seattle's Adrián Beltré
who was coming from first base, and tagged him out before throwing the ball to first baseman Justin Morneau
to get Johjima out. Morneau quickly threw to third baseman Tony Batista
who tagged Seattle's Carl Everett
for the third out. Everett had come from second and overran third before deciding to stay at third, but by that time Batista was able to make the tag. Minnesota had not turned a triple play since its 1990 game against Boston.
On June 11, 2006 at Kauffman Stadium
in Kansas City
, in a game between the Tampa Bay Devil Rays
and the Kansas City Royals
, the Royals turned an unconventional triple play with the help of an umpire appeal. Tampa Bay led Kansas City, 1–0, in the top of the second inning with men on first and third when Rays right fielder Russell Branyan
lofted a fly ball to shallow center field. Royals outfielder David DeJesus
caught the ball, then threw home trying to get the runner attempting to score, but it went over catcher Paul Bako
's head, and pitcher Scott Elarton, who was backing up the play, caught the ball. Rocco Baldelli
tagged up at first and tried to make it to second base, where he was thrown out. The Royals appealed to third-base umpire Bob Davidson that Aubrey Huff
had tagged up before DeJesus caught the ball. Shortstop Angel Berroa
threw to third baseman Mark Teahen, which nullified the apparent run, and completed the 8–1–6–5 triple play.
Some observers questioned whether this was a valid triple play, due to baseball rule 2.00 which provides: "A triple play is a play by the defense in which three offensive players are put out as a result of continuous action, providing there is no error between putouts." That argument was based on the assumption that DeJesus' wild throw would be an error between the first and second outs. However, the scoring rules also state that "A fielder is charged with an error when he fails to catch a ball hit or thrown to him, or he inaccurately throws a ball to another fielder, allowing a runner to reach safely or to advance a base or allowing a batter to prolong his time at bat, if the official scorer concludes that the fielder should have successfully made the play."
On September 2, 2006, the Rays produced a triple play comprising a strikeout and two baserunners caught off base, against the Seattle Mariners
. Tampa pitcher J.P. Howell
struck out Raúl Ibáñez
. Catcher Dioner Navarro
fired the ball to shortstop Ben Zobrist
, who tagged Adrián Beltré
out. During that throw, Jose Lopez tried to go home from third, but Zobrist returned the ball to Navarro in time to put Lopez out at the plate, completing the first 2–6–2 triple play in MLB history.
The White Sox turned a triple play yet again on September 18, 2006, against the Detroit Tigers. With runners on first and second, Carlos Guillen lined out to third baseman Joe Crede. Crede then threw the ball to second baseman Tadahito Iguchi, who stepped on second and tagged the runner coming from first base to complete the play.
During 2007 spring training
in Arizona, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
completed triple plays on three separate occasions; because these did not occur during the regular season, they do not count in the statistics.
On April 21, 2007, the Philadelphia Phillies
turned a triple play against the Cincinnati Reds
. After a walk by Josh Hamilton and a single by Edwin Encarnacion
, catcher David Ross grounded a ball that went from third to second to first (Abraham Núñez, Chase Utley
, and Wes Helms
, respectively) for the triple play. It was the first triple play for the Phillies since 1999 and the first against the Reds since 1997.
Eight days later, on April 29, shortstop
Troy Tulowitzki
of the Colorado Rockies
turned an unassisted triple play
vs. the Atlanta Braves
. In the seventh inning, Tulowitzki caught Chipper Jones
' line drive with the runners moving, stepped on second to retire Kelly Johnson
and tagged Edgar Rentería
before he could return to first. Even Tulowitzki seemed confused as to what he had done. After tagging Renteria, he went back and tagged second base again (even though Johnson had already been put out); he then threw the ball to first baseman Todd Helton
.
On August 27, 2007, the Cleveland Indians
turned a triple play against the Minnesota Twins
. Mike Redmond
grounded to Casey Blake, who stepped on third base, threw to Asdrubal Cabrera
at second, who then threw to Víctor Martínez at first to complete the play. It was the first triple play that the Indians had turned since August 7, 1992, and the first triple play turned at Progressive Field.
On September 12, 2007, the Philadelphia Phillies
completed a triple play against the Colorado Rockies
. Runners were at first and second with no outs in the top of the first inning. Matt Holliday
hit a line drive to third baseman Greg Dobbs
who caught it for the first out. Then he threw to Chase Utley
who put out Cory Sullivan
by stepping on second base. Utley then tagged Troy Tulowitzki
, running from first base, to complete the third out.
On May 12, 2008, Cleveland Indians
second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera
turned an unassisted triple play
against the Toronto Blue Jays
in the fifth inning. Kevin Mench
was on second, Marco Scutaro
was on first, and Lyle Overbay
was at the plate. The Blue Jays attempted a hit-and-run, and Overbay hit a pitch from Cliff Lee
up the middle. Cabrera made a diving catch of the ball near the bag, stood up, stepped on second to retire Mench and tagged Scutaro for the third out. It was the fourteenth unassisted triple play in baseball history. Cabrera tossed the ball to a fan in the stands behind the Indians' third base dugout.
On May 30, 2008, the San Francisco Giants
completed a triple play versus the San Diego Padres
, at AT&T Park
. In the top of the eighth inning, Kevin Kouzmanoff
hit the first pitch, a grounder to third baseman Jose Castillo. Castillo stepped on third base to force the runner from second, Brian Giles
. He then relayed the ball to the second baseman, Ray Durham
, to force the runner from first, Adrian Gonzalez
. Durham then fired the ball to the first baseman, John Bowker, in time to put out the batter, Kouzmanoff, by half of a step.
On April 12, 2009, the Pittsburgh Pirates
completed a triple play versus the Cincinnati Reds
, at Great American Ballpark. In the bottom of the eighth inning with runners on first and second. Reds batter Edwin Encarnacion
lined out to Pirates' shortstop Jack Wilson. Wilson relayed the ball to second baseman Freddy Sanchez
, doubling Brandon Phillips
at second. Sanchez fired the ball to Pirates' first baseman Adam LaRoche
retiring Jay Bruce
, the runner
on first. This was the Pirates first triple play since 1993.
On May 4, 2009, the Arizona Diamondbacks
completed a triple play at Dodger Stadium
versus Los Angeles. In the bottom of the second with catcher Russell Martin
at second and center fielder Matt Kemp
at first, Dodgers third basemen Casey Blake
hit a line drive that was caught by D-Back shortstop Josh Wilson. Both runners were running on the pitch and were thus caught out on the relay from short to second to first.
On May 20, 2009, the Texas Rangers
completed a triple play at Comerica Park
against the Detroit Tigers
. In the bottom of the fourth, Brandon Inge
on second & Ryan Raburn
on first, they attempted a double steal
, but catcher Gerald Laird
hit a line drive that was caught by second baseman Ian Kinsler
. He tossed the ball to Elvis Andrus
, who touched second & then tagged Raburn for the third out.
A triple play occurred on August 23, 2009 when Eric Bruntlett
of the Philadelphia Phillies
turned the first ever game-ending unassisted triple play in the National League
. Playing against the New York Mets
, in the bottom of the ninth inning with men on first and second, Jeff Francoeur
hit a line drive up the middle, where Bruntlett (substituting for Chase Utley
) was covering with both men moving. Bruntlett caught the ball, tagged second to double up Luis Castillo and then tagged Daniel Murphy from first, thereby completing the triple play. This was only the second game-ending unassisted triple play in MLB history and the first since 1927.
A triple play occurred on September 6, 2009 in a game between the Milwaukee Brewers
and the San Francisco Giants at Miller Park. Aaron Rowand
of the Giants hit a ground ball to Casey McGehee
of the Brewers. McGehee stepped on third, threw the ball to Felipe López at second who turned and threw to Prince Fielder at first completing the 5–4–3 triple play.
A triple play occurred on April 22, 2010 in a game between the Oakland Athletics
and New York Yankees
at Oakland Coliseum. Kurt Suzuki
of the Athletics hit a ground ball to third baseman Alex Rodriguez
of the Yankees. Rodriguez stepped on third base, threw to second baseman Robinson Cano
and who then threw to Nick Johnson
at first to complete the triple play. Rodriguez is the only active player to be involved in three career triple plays.
A triple play occurred on May 19, 2010 in a game between the New York Mets
and the Washington Nationals
at Nationals Park during the 5th inning. Cristian Guzman
hit a liner to center fielder Ángel Pagán
of the Mets who dived on the play. Pagán threw to catcher Henry Blanco
in the middle of the infield, who then threw to shortstop José Reyes at second. Reyes then threw the ball to Ike Davis
at first to finish the triple play.
A triple play occurred on August 9, 2010 in a game between the Oakland Athletics
and the Seattle Mariners
at Safeco Field
during the 4th inning. Mark Ellis
hit a grounder to third baseman José López of the Mariners who touched third base, threw to second baseman Chone Figgins
, who then threw to first baseman Casey Kotchman
to complete the triple play.
A triple play occurred on April 3, 2011, in a game between the Chicago White Sox
and the Cleveland Indians
at Progressive Field during the 4th inning. With A.J. Pierzynski on first and Carlos Quentin
on second, Alexi Ramirez bunted the ball in the air, and it was caught by first baseman Carlos Santana
. Santana threw to second baseman Orlando Cabrera
covering first to retire Pierzynski. Cabrera threw to shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera
at second base to retire Quentin and complete the triple play. Asdrubal Cabrera has been involved in all three triple plays that the Indians have turned at Progressive Field.
A triple play occurred on August 15, 2011 in a game between the Los Angeles Dodgers
and the Milwaukee Brewers
at Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
. In the top of the second inning with Matt Kemp
on second base and Juan Rivera on first, James Loney hit a ground ball to Josh Wilson. Wilson flipped the ball to Yuniesky Betancourt
to record the force out at second. Betancourt threw to Prince Fielder
at first to record the second out. Fielder then relayed to home plate where George Kottaras
tagged a sliding Kemp to record the third and final out. Interestingly enough, the last triple play against the Los Angeles Dodgers, which occurred on May 4, 2009, involved Wilson and Felipe López, both currently members of the Milwaukee Brewers.
A triple play was turned by the Boston Red Sox on August 16, 2011 against the Tampa Bay Rays in the second game of a doubleheader
. There were runners on first and second with none out. A ground ball by Sean Rodriguez
was fielded at third by Jed Lowrie, who took one step backwards onto the third base bag and fired to Pedroia, who was covering second and then relayed the ball to Adrian Gonzalez at first base for the third out. However, the Red Sox lost.
A triple play occurred in a game between the New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays on September 27, 2011. The bases were loaded with none out. Mark Teixeira
was on third, Nick Swisher
was on second, and Jorge Posada
was on first. New York catcher Russell Martin
grounded a ball to Tampa Bay third baseman Evan Longoria
, who covered third to get Swisher, and then threw to Ben Zobrist
at second to get Posada, then Zobrist threw to Sean Rodriguez
to get a sliding Martin, completing the triple play and ending the inning.
The most recent unassisted triple play is Eric Bruntlett's, described above. Bruntlett's is the second game-ending unassisted triple play, and the National League's first.
, in a baseball quiz in Newsweek
for April 6, 2009, p. 60, posed one hypothetical way that a triple play could occur with no fielder touching the ball. With runners on first and second and no outs, the batter hits an infield fly
, and is automatically out: One out. The runner from first passes the runner from second and is called out for that rule's infraction. Two outs. Just after that, the falling ball hits the runner from second, who is called out for interference: Three outs.
Whenever a batter or runner is out without a fielder touching the ball, rules book section 10.09 provides for automatic putouts to be assigned by the official scorer. In this case, the first out would be credited to whoever the official scorer believes would have had the best chance of catching the infield fly. The second and third outs would be credited to the fielder(s) closest to the points the runners were, when their respective outs occurred. Under the scenario described above, the same fielder (the shortstop, for example) could be credited with all three putouts, thus attaining an unassisted triple play without having touched the ball.
However, this scenario is extremely unlikely, as it would require a complete disregard by the participating players to the rules of baseball. Most likely, this scenario would only occur in a youth baseball game.
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
, a triple play (denoted by TP) is the rare act of making three outs
Out (baseball)
In baseball, an out occurs when the defensive, or fielding, team effects any of a number of different events, and the umpire rules a batter or baserunner out. When a player is called out, he is said to be retired...
during the same continuous play.
There are many ways a triple play can be performed; most of them are done with runners on first and second base. Typically, a ball hit to the shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
or third baseman
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
is fielded, the runner heading to third is forced out
Force play
In baseball, a force is a situation when a baserunner is compelled to vacate his time-of-pitch base—and thus try to advance to the next base—because the batter became a runner. A runner at first base is always forced to attempt to advance to second base when the batter becomes a runner...
or tagged out
Tag out
In baseball, a tag out, sometimes just called a tag, is a play in which a baserunner is out because he is touched by the fielder's hand or glove holding a live ball while the runner is in jeopardy...
, the ball is thrown to second base for a force play, and then finally to first to throw out the batter. Another common sequence (to the extent such plays can be called common) is a line drive
Line drive
In baseball, a line drive is a type of batted ball, sharply hit, and on a level trajectory. The threshold between a line drive and a fly ball can be subjective....
to the shortstop or second baseman
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
that is caught without the runners noticing or after they have taken large leads (as in the case of a hit and run
Hit and run (baseball)
A hit and run is a high risk/high reward offensive strategy used in baseball.When the offense has a baserunner on first base , the runner on first breaks for second as the pitch is thrown...
), the runners then being forced or tagged out when they fail to tag up
Tag up
In baseball, to tag up is to retouch or remain on the runner's time-of-pitch base until the ball either lands in fair territory or is first touched by a fielder. A runner must, by rule, tag up only when a batted ball is caught by a fielder . After a legal tag up, even if the ball was caught in...
.
Triple plays are relatively rare, since a triple play requires at least two runners already on base, no outs, a batted ball hit in a way that allows it to be fielded cleanly so that three baserunners (always including the batter) can be put out or unusual incompetence in baserunning, and quick action from the fielders to perform. The unassisted triple play
Unassisted triple play
In baseball, an unassisted triple play occurs when a defensive player makes all three putouts by himself in one continuous play, without any teammates touching the ball . In Major League Baseball , it is one of the rarest of individual feats, along with hitting four home runs in one game and the...
, a triple play in which only one fielder handles the ball, is the least common type of triple play, and is arguably the rarest occurrence in baseball: it has happened only 15 times since 1900 at the major league level. Triple plays, even of the unassisted variety, are not extraordinarily difficult for major league fielders to achieve; their rarity is due to their dependence on specific circumstances arising in a game.
According to the Society for American Baseball Research
Society for American Baseball Research
The Society for American Baseball Research was established in Cooperstown, New York, in August 1971 by Bob Davids of Washington, D.C. The Society's mission is to foster the research and dissemination of the history and record of baseball, while generating interest in the game...
, there have been 684 triple plays in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
from 1876 to April 4, 2011. The most recent triple play, number 687, was recorded September 27th, 2011 by the Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
against the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
at Tropicana Field
Tropicana Field
Tropicana Field is a domed stadium in St. Petersburg, Florida, which has been the home of Major League Baseball's Tampa Bay Rays since the team's inaugural season in 1998, when they were the Devil Rays. It has also served as the host stadium for the Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl, an NCAA-sanctioned college...
.
In 1973, Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
third baseman
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
Brooks Robinson
Brooks Robinson
Brooks Calbert Robinson, Jr. is a former American professional baseball player. He played his entire 23-year major league career for the Baltimore Orioles . Nicknamed "The Human Vacuum Cleaner", he is generally acclaimed as the greatest defensive third-basemen in major league history...
started two 5–4–3
Baseball positions
There are 9 fielding positions in baseball. Each position conventionally has an associated number which is used to score putouts...
triple plays: one on July 7 against the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
' Gene Tenace
Gene Tenace
Fury Gene Tenace , better known as Gene Tenace, is a former Italian-American professional baseball player and current coach in Major League Baseball. He was a catcher and first baseman from through . Tenace was drafted by the Kansas City Athletics from Valley High School in Lucasville, OH and...
, and one on September 20 against the Tigers' Frank Howard. In both cases, Bobby Grich
Bobby Grich
Robert Anthony "Bobby" Grich is an American former professional baseball second baseman who played for the Baltimore Orioles and California Angels of Major League Baseball...
was the second baseman.
Playing against the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
on July 17, 1990, the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
became the first (and to date the only) team in baseball history to turn two triple plays in the same game. Both triple plays were 5-4-3 plays (Gary Gaetti
Gary Gaetti
Gary Joseph Gaetti , nicknamed "G-Man", "Rat", or "Zorn" is an American former third baseman in Major League Baseball for the Minnesota Twins , California Angels , Kansas City Royals , St...
- Al Newman
Al Newman
Albert Dwayne Newman is a former infielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Montreal Expos , Minnesota Twins and Texas Rangers...
- Kent Hrbek
Kent Hrbek
Frequently injured , Hrbek retired after the players strike in 1994, citing his nagging injury problems and desire to spend more time with his wife and daughter at their home in Bloomington, MN...
). Jody Reed
Jody Reed
Jody Eric Reed is a former second baseman in Major League Baseball who had an 11-year career from 1987-1997. The 5'9" second baseman played with the Boston Red Sox from 1987–1992, and in 1990 he led the American League with 45 doubles and finished 10th in the AL with 173 hits...
was the first out in the fourth inning play and the final out (batting) in the eighth inning play. Despite their defensive heroics, the Twins lost the game 1–0.
While playing with the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
in 1982, Bobby Murcer
Bobby Murcer
Bobby Ray Murcer was an American Major League Baseball outfielder who played for 17 seasons between 1965 and 1983, mostly with the New York Yankees, whom he later rejoined as a longtime broadcaster...
, Graig Nettles
Graig Nettles
Graig Nettles , nicknamed "Puff", is a former Major League Baseball third baseman. During a 22-year baseball career, he played for the Minnesota Twins , Cleveland Indians , New York Yankees , San Diego Padres , Atlanta Braves and Montreal Expos .Nettles was one of the best...
, and Roy Smalley got caught in a bizarre 2
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
-5
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
-3
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
-1
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
triple play. Smalley had struck out
Strike Out
Strike Out, , North American Harness racing championStrike Out was born in 1969 at Castleton Farm in Lexington, Kentucky, and is by Bret Hanover out of the mare Golden Miss....
(Out #1), and meanwhile the runners from 1st
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
and 2nd
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
had taken off in an attempt to steal second and third. The ball was thrown to 3rd
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
(played by Gary Gaetti
Gary Gaetti
Gary Joseph Gaetti , nicknamed "G-Man", "Rat", or "Zorn" is an American former third baseman in Major League Baseball for the Minnesota Twins , California Angels , Kansas City Royals , St...
). Gaetti chased Murcer back to 2nd base and tagged him but he was called safe. Gaetti then threw the ball to 1st baseman Kent Hrbek
Kent Hrbek
Frequently injured , Hrbek retired after the players strike in 1994, citing his nagging injury problems and desire to spend more time with his wife and daughter at their home in Bloomington, MN...
to tag Nettles who was caught between 1st and 2nd (Out #2). During this, Murcer had attempted to take off from 2nd again. The ball was thrown from Hrbek to 3rd base to pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
Terry Felton
Terry Felton
Terry Lane Felton was a pitcher for the Minnesota Twins from . Felton holds two of the most dubious pitching records in Major League Baseball history: the most consecutive losses to start a career and most career losses without ever being credited with a victory...
, who was now covering 3rd base and tagged Murcer (Out #3).
2006–2011 Major-League triple plays
On May 14, 2006, during a game between the Chicago White SoxChicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
and the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
at the Metrodome
Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, commonly called the Metrodome, is a domed sports stadium in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Opened in 1982, it replaced Metropolitan Stadium, which was on the current site of the Mall of America in Bloomington and Memorial Stadium on the University...
in Minneapolis, Minnesota's Luis Castillo
Luis Castillo (baseball player)
Luis Antonio Castillo is a Major League Baseball second baseman who is currently a free agent. Castillo is a three-time All-Star, three-time Gold Glove winner, and won the World Series with the Florida Marlins in 2003....
popped up a bunt attempt with two runners on in the bottom of the sixth inning. The ball was caught by Chicago first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
Paul Konerko
Paul Konerko
Paul Henry Konerko is an American professional baseball first baseman who has played for the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball since 1999. He previously played with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Cincinnati Reds . Konerko helped the Chicago White Sox win the 2005 World Series, the...
for the first out. Konerko then threw to second baseman
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
Tadahito Iguchi
Tadahito Iguchi
is a Japanese second baseman currently playing for the Chiba Lotte Marines.-Early life and Japanese career:Iguchi began playing in high school and after graduating in 1993, went to Aoyama Gakuin University where he distinguished himself by hitting the Tohto University Baseball League record of...
covering first to double up Shannon Stewart who was on the move. Iguchi then threw to shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
Juan Uribe
Juan Uribe
Juan C. Uribe Tena is a Dominican Republic professional baseball infielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball. He began his career in 1997 when he was signed to the Colorado Rockies, and played with the team until December 3, 2003 when he was traded to the Chicago White Sox...
covering second to triple off Nick Punto
Nick Punto
Nicholas Paul Punto is a Major League Baseball utility player. He has played second base, third base, shortstop, and center field. Punto is a switch hitter and throws right-handed....
, also on the move. The play was the White Sox's first since July 7, 2004 against the Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
and the first against the Twins since September 18, 1996.
Thirteen days later at the Metrodome, during a game between the Minnesota Twins and the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
on May 27, 2006, Seattle's Kenji Johjima
Kenji Johjima
is a Japanese catcher who is currently playing for the Hanshin Tigers. He played in Major League Baseball for four years with the Seattle Mariners in the American League....
hit a ground ball to Luis Castillo with the bases loaded in the top of the eighth inning. As Richie Sexson
Richie Sexson
Richmond Lockwood "Big Sexy" Sexson is a former Major League Baseball first baseman who played for five teams from 1997 to 2008...
scored, Castillo ran down Seattle's Adrián Beltré
Adrián Beltré
Adrián Beltré Pérez is a Major League Baseball third baseman for the Texas Rangers.The youngest player in the National League when he made his major league debut, he has also played for the Los Angeles Dodgers , the Seattle Mariners , the Boston Red Sox , and the Texas Rangers . He bats and...
who was coming from first base, and tagged him out before throwing the ball to first baseman Justin Morneau
Justin Morneau
Justin Ernest George Morneau is a Canadian Major League Baseball first baseman for the Minnesota Twins. At 6 feet 4 inches and 225 lbs, Morneau was originally drafted as a catcher by the Twins in 1999. He converted to first base in the minor leagues and made his MLB debut in 2003...
to get Johjima out. Morneau quickly threw to third baseman Tony Batista
Tony Batista
Leocadio Francisco "Tony" Batista is a former Major League Baseball infielder who is currently a free agent. He played in the major leagues from to and to , and with the Softbank Hawks of the Japanese Pacific League in .-Career:...
who tagged Seattle's Carl Everett
Carl Everett
Carl Edward Everett III is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He is currently an outfielder for the Newark Bears of the independent Atlantic League. A switch hitter, he played with the Chicago White Sox on their 2005 World Series winning team...
for the third out. Everett had come from second and overran third before deciding to stay at third, but by that time Batista was able to make the tag. Minnesota had not turned a triple play since its 1990 game against Boston.
On June 11, 2006 at Kauffman Stadium
Kauffman Stadium
Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium is a Major League Baseball stadium located in Kansas City, Missouri, and home to the Kansas City Royals of the American League. Together with Arrowhead Stadium, home of the National Football League's Kansas City Chiefs, it is a part of the Truman Sports Complex...
in Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
, in a game between the Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
and the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
, the Royals turned an unconventional triple play with the help of an umpire appeal. Tampa Bay led Kansas City, 1–0, in the top of the second inning with men on first and third when Rays right fielder Russell Branyan
Russell Branyan
Russell Oles Branyan is a Major League Baseball first baseman. He throws right-handed, bats left-handed, and primarily plays first base, but is capable of playing third base and the outfield. Branyan began his professional career in the Cleveland Indians minor league system...
lofted a fly ball to shallow center field. Royals outfielder David DeJesus
David DeJesus
David Christopher DeJesus is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball.-Career:DeJesus was raised in Manalapan Township, New Jersey, and played high school baseball at Manalapan High School. He was drafted out of high school by the New York Mets in...
caught the ball, then threw home trying to get the runner attempting to score, but it went over catcher Paul Bako
Paul Bako
Gabor Paul Bako II is a catcher in Major League Baseball who is currently a free agent. Bako is an example of a baseball "journeyman", having played for 11 different major league teams during his 12-year career...
's head, and pitcher Scott Elarton, who was backing up the play, caught the ball. Rocco Baldelli
Rocco Baldelli
Rocco Dan Baldelli is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and designated hitter. Because of his excellent size and speed, and in reference to his hometown, he was nicknamed, "The Woonsocket Rocket," early in his professional career...
tagged up at first and tried to make it to second base, where he was thrown out. The Royals appealed to third-base umpire Bob Davidson that Aubrey Huff
Aubrey Huff
Aubrey Lewis Huff III is a Major League Baseball first baseman with the San Francisco Giants. He debuted in 2000 with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, and later played for the Houston Astros, Baltimore Orioles, and Detroit Tigers. He is the starting first baseman for the San Francisco Giants who won the...
had tagged up before DeJesus caught the ball. Shortstop Angel Berroa
Angel Berroa
Ángel Maria Berroa Selmo is a Dominican professional baseball infielder. Berroa was selected as the 2003 American League Rookie of the Year.-Early career:...
threw to third baseman Mark Teahen, which nullified the apparent run, and completed the 8–1–6–5 triple play.
Some observers questioned whether this was a valid triple play, due to baseball rule 2.00 which provides: "A triple play is a play by the defense in which three offensive players are put out as a result of continuous action, providing there is no error between putouts." That argument was based on the assumption that DeJesus' wild throw would be an error between the first and second outs. However, the scoring rules also state that "A fielder is charged with an error when he fails to catch a ball hit or thrown to him, or he inaccurately throws a ball to another fielder, allowing a runner to reach safely or to advance a base or allowing a batter to prolong his time at bat, if the official scorer concludes that the fielder should have successfully made the play."
On September 2, 2006, the Rays produced a triple play comprising a strikeout and two baserunners caught off base, against the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
. Tampa pitcher J.P. Howell
J.P. Howell
James Phillip Howell is a Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays. J.P. attended Saint Mary's School in Sacramento, California...
struck out Raúl Ibáñez
Raúl Ibáñez
Raúl Javier Ibáñez is an American Major League Baseball outfielder.Over his career, Ibáñez, who did not make 500 plate appearances until the age of thirty, has batted .280 with 377 doubles, 252 home runs and 1054 runs batted in over sixteen Major League seasons...
. Catcher Dioner Navarro
Dioner Navarro
Dioner Favian Navarro Vivas is a Venezuelan professional baseball catcher, who is a free agent.-New York Yankees:In 2000, Navarro was signed by the New York Yankees as an amateur free agent...
fired the ball to shortstop Ben Zobrist
Ben Zobrist
Benjamin Thomas "Ben" Zobrist is an American baseball player currently with Major League Baseball's Tampa Bay Rays. A switch-hitter who throws right-handed, he has exhibited a versatility to play most positions with the exception of pitcher and catcher. He has been the Rays' starting second...
, who tagged Adrián Beltré
Adrián Beltré
Adrián Beltré Pérez is a Major League Baseball third baseman for the Texas Rangers.The youngest player in the National League when he made his major league debut, he has also played for the Los Angeles Dodgers , the Seattle Mariners , the Boston Red Sox , and the Texas Rangers . He bats and...
out. During that throw, Jose Lopez tried to go home from third, but Zobrist returned the ball to Navarro in time to put Lopez out at the plate, completing the first 2–6–2 triple play in MLB history.
The White Sox turned a triple play yet again on September 18, 2006, against the Detroit Tigers. With runners on first and second, Carlos Guillen lined out to third baseman Joe Crede. Crede then threw the ball to second baseman Tadahito Iguchi, who stepped on second and tagged the runner coming from first base to complete the play.
During 2007 spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
in Arizona, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
completed triple plays on three separate occasions; because these did not occur during the regular season, they do not count in the statistics.
On April 21, 2007, the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
turned a triple play against the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
. After a walk by Josh Hamilton and a single by Edwin Encarnacion
Edwin Encarnación
Edwin Elpidio Encarnación , is a Dominican Republic Major League Baseball utility player with the Toronto Blue Jays. The 6 ft 2 in, 235-pound Encarnación bats and throws right-handed....
, catcher David Ross grounded a ball that went from third to second to first (Abraham Núñez, Chase Utley
Chase Utley
Chase Cameron Utley is a second baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball. A native of the Greater Los Angeles area, he was raised in the city of Long Beach. He was a star baseball player at Long Beach Polytechnic High School, before moving on to UCLA...
, and Wes Helms
Wes Helms
Wesley Ray Helms is an American professional baseball third baseman, first baseman, and outfielder but is currently a free agent. He bats and throws right-handed.-Professional career:...
, respectively) for the triple play. It was the first triple play for the Phillies since 1999 and the first against the Reds since 1997.
Eight days later, on April 29, shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
Troy Tulowitzki
Troy Tulowitzki
Troy Trevor Tulowitzki , nicknamed Tulo, is a Major League Baseball shortstop for the Colorado Rockies.Tulowitzki's arm, range and instincts at shortstop are highly regarded...
of the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
turned an unassisted triple play
Unassisted triple play
In baseball, an unassisted triple play occurs when a defensive player makes all three putouts by himself in one continuous play, without any teammates touching the ball . In Major League Baseball , it is one of the rarest of individual feats, along with hitting four home runs in one game and the...
vs. the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
. In the seventh inning, Tulowitzki caught Chipper Jones
Chipper Jones
Larry Wayne "Chipper" Jones, Jr. is a Major League baseball player for the National League's Atlanta Braves. Although initially a shortstop, he has spent most of his career as the starting third baseman for the Braves...
' line drive with the runners moving, stepped on second to retire Kelly Johnson
Kelly Johnson (baseball)
Kelly Andrew Johnson is a Major League Baseball second baseman.-Atlanta Braves:Johnson was drafted in the first round of the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft by the Atlanta Braves...
and tagged Edgar Rentería
Edgar Rentería
Edgar Enrique Rentería Herazo , nicknamed "The Barranquilla Baby," is a Colombian professional baseball shortstop. He throws and bats right-handed. Previously, he has played for the Florida Marlins, the St...
before he could return to first. Even Tulowitzki seemed confused as to what he had done. After tagging Renteria, he went back and tagged second base again (even though Johnson had already been put out); he then threw the ball to first baseman Todd Helton
Todd Helton
Todd Lynn Helton is a Major League Baseball first baseman for the Colorado Rockies. He is a five-time All-Star, four-time Silver Slugger, four-time National League Player of the Month, and three-time Gold Glove winner....
.
On August 27, 2007, the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
turned a triple play against the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
. Mike Redmond
Mike Redmond
Michael Patrick Redmond is a former Major League Baseball catcher.Redmond graduated from Gonzaga Preparatory School in 1989. He attended Gonzaga University. Mike and his wife Michele have two sons.Redmond made his Major League debut with the Florida Marlins on May 31, 1998...
grounded to Casey Blake, who stepped on third base, threw to Asdrubal Cabrera
Asdrúbal Cabrera
Asdrúbal José Cabrera is a switch-hitting infielder for the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball.After coming up through the Seattle Mariners organization, he was acquired by the Indians on June 30, 2006, in exchange for Eduardo Perez...
at second, who then threw to Víctor Martínez at first to complete the play. It was the first triple play that the Indians had turned since August 7, 1992, and the first triple play turned at Progressive Field.
On September 12, 2007, the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
completed a triple play against the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
. Runners were at first and second with no outs in the top of the first inning. Matt Holliday
Matt Holliday
Matthew Thomas Holliday , nicknamed "Big Daddy", is an American Major League Baseball left fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. Holliday was originally drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the seventh round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft.Holliday is a five-time All-Star and Silver Slugger...
hit a line drive to third baseman Greg Dobbs
Greg Dobbs
Gregory Stuart Dobbs is a Major League Baseball infielder. Dobbs is primarily a third baseman, but can also field the corner outfield positions and first base.-Early career:...
who caught it for the first out. Then he threw to Chase Utley
Chase Utley
Chase Cameron Utley is a second baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball. A native of the Greater Los Angeles area, he was raised in the city of Long Beach. He was a star baseball player at Long Beach Polytechnic High School, before moving on to UCLA...
who put out Cory Sullivan
Cory Sullivan
Cory Sullivan is an American professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent. He has previously played for the Colorado Rockies, New York Mets, Houston Astros, and Philadelphia Phillies organizations.-Personal life:...
by stepping on second base. Utley then tagged Troy Tulowitzki
Troy Tulowitzki
Troy Trevor Tulowitzki , nicknamed Tulo, is a Major League Baseball shortstop for the Colorado Rockies.Tulowitzki's arm, range and instincts at shortstop are highly regarded...
, running from first base, to complete the third out.
On May 12, 2008, Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera
Asdrúbal Cabrera
Asdrúbal José Cabrera is a switch-hitting infielder for the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball.After coming up through the Seattle Mariners organization, he was acquired by the Indians on June 30, 2006, in exchange for Eduardo Perez...
turned an unassisted triple play
Unassisted triple play
In baseball, an unassisted triple play occurs when a defensive player makes all three putouts by himself in one continuous play, without any teammates touching the ball . In Major League Baseball , it is one of the rarest of individual feats, along with hitting four home runs in one game and the...
against the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
in the fifth inning. Kevin Mench
Kevin Mench
Kevin Ford Mench is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently a free agent.-High school and college career:...
was on second, Marco Scutaro
Marco Scutaro
Marcos Hernandez "Marco" Scutaro is a Venezuelan professional baseball shortstop with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. A native of Yaracuy State, Venezuela, Scutaro formerly played with the New York Mets , Oakland Athletics and the Toronto Blue Jays...
was on first, and Lyle Overbay
Lyle Overbay
Lyle Stefan Overbay is an American professional baseball first baseman who is a free agent.-Amateur career:...
was at the plate. The Blue Jays attempted a hit-and-run, and Overbay hit a pitch from Cliff Lee
Cliff Lee
Clifton Phifer "Cliff" Lee is a Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies. Lee has also played for the Cleveland Indians, the Seattle Mariners, and the Texas Rangers....
up the middle. Cabrera made a diving catch of the ball near the bag, stood up, stepped on second to retire Mench and tagged Scutaro for the third out. It was the fourteenth unassisted triple play in baseball history. Cabrera tossed the ball to a fan in the stands behind the Indians' third base dugout.
On May 30, 2008, the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
completed a triple play versus the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
, at AT&T Park
AT&T Park
AT&T Park is a ballpark located in the South Beach neighborhood of San Francisco, California. Located at 24 Willie Mays Plaza, at the corner of Third and King Streets, it has served as the home of the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball since 2000....
. In the top of the eighth inning, Kevin Kouzmanoff
Kevin Kouzmanoff
Kevin Kouzmanoff is an American professional baseball third baseman who is a free agent.Kouzmanoff had trouble with various sports in high school. He got special help for batting practice, just to learn how to swing a bat for three years, implementing a swing...
hit the first pitch, a grounder to third baseman Jose Castillo. Castillo stepped on third base to force the runner from second, Brian Giles
Brian Giles
Brian Stephen Giles is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. During his career he played for the Cleveland Indians, Pittsburgh Pirates and San Diego Padres...
. He then relayed the ball to the second baseman, Ray Durham
Ray Durham
Ray Durham , nicknamed The Sugarman, is a former Major League Baseball second baseman.A two-time All-Star, Durham in his prime was one of the premier offensive catalysts in all of baseball, providing prototypical lead-off hitting with power...
, to force the runner from first, Adrian Gonzalez
Adrián González
Adrian Gonzalez is an American professional baseball first baseman with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball.Gonzalez was the first overall pick in the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft by the Florida Marlins. He was traded to the Texas Rangers, and later to the San Diego Padres, where he...
. Durham then fired the ball to the first baseman, John Bowker, in time to put out the batter, Kouzmanoff, by half of a step.
On April 12, 2009, the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
completed a triple play versus the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
, at Great American Ballpark. In the bottom of the eighth inning with runners on first and second. Reds batter Edwin Encarnacion
Edwin Encarnación
Edwin Elpidio Encarnación , is a Dominican Republic Major League Baseball utility player with the Toronto Blue Jays. The 6 ft 2 in, 235-pound Encarnación bats and throws right-handed....
lined out to Pirates' shortstop Jack Wilson. Wilson relayed the ball to second baseman Freddy Sanchez
Freddy Sanchez
Frederick Phillip "Freddy" Sanchez, Jr. is a Major League Baseball second baseman for the San Francisco Giants. Sanchez has previously played for the Boston Red Sox and the Pittsburgh Pirates and the San Francisco Giants...
, doubling Brandon Phillips
Brandon Phillips
Brandon Emil Phillips is a second baseman for Major League Baseball's Cincinnati Reds. The Raleigh, North Carolina native was selected in the second round of the 1999 draft by the former Montreal Expos after signing a letter of intent to play both baseball and football at the University of Georgia...
at second. Sanchez fired the ball to Pirates' first baseman Adam LaRoche
Adam LaRoche
David Adam LaRoche , is a Major League Baseball first baseman. In 2011, the Washington Nationals signed him to a two-year deal...
retiring Jay Bruce
Jay Bruce
Jay Allen Bruce is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Cincinnati Reds. He was selected 12th overall in the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft....
, the runner
Baserunning
In baseball, baserunning is the act of running around the bases performed by members of the team at bat.In general, baserunning is a tactical part of the game with the goal of eventually reaching home to score a run. In fact, the goal of batting is generally to produce baserunners, or help move...
on first. This was the Pirates first triple play since 1993.
On May 4, 2009, the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
completed a triple play at Dodger Stadium
Dodger Stadium
Dodger Stadium, also sometimes called Chavez Ravine, is a stadium in Los Angeles. Located adjacent to Downtown Los Angeles, Dodger Stadium has been the home ballpark of Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers team since 1962...
versus Los Angeles. In the bottom of the second with catcher Russell Martin
Russell Martin
Russell Nathan Jeanson Coltrane Martin, Jr is a Canadian Major League Baseball catcher for the New York Yankees.Martin became the everyday catcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers immediately upon his Major League debut, and continued in that role for nearly 5 years...
at second and center fielder Matt Kemp
Matt Kemp
Matthew Ryan "Matt" Kemp is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.Kemp was drafted by the Dodgers in the 6th round of the 2003 draft and made his major league debut in 2006...
at first, Dodgers third basemen Casey Blake
Casey Blake
William Casey Blake is a Major League Baseball third baseman who is currently a free agent.Blake previously played with the Toronto Blue Jays, Minnesota Twins, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians and Los Angeles Dodgers. He had alternated between playing at third base and first base before...
hit a line drive that was caught by D-Back shortstop Josh Wilson. Both runners were running on the pitch and were thus caught out on the relay from short to second to first.
On May 20, 2009, the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
completed a triple play at Comerica Park
Comerica Park
Comerica Park is an open-air ballpark located in downtown Detroit, Michigan. It serves as the home of the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball's American League, replacing historic Tiger Stadium in 2000....
against the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
. In the bottom of the fourth, Brandon Inge
Brandon Inge
Charles Brandon Inge is an American professional baseball infielder for the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He bats and throws right-handed....
on second & Ryan Raburn
Ryan Raburn
Ryan Neil Raburn is an American professional baseball outfielder with the Detroit Tigers. Though primarily an outfielder, Raburn can also play third base, second base, first base, and catcher....
on first, they attempted a double steal
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
, but catcher Gerald Laird
Gerald Laird
Gerald Lee Laird III is an American professional baseball catcher for the Detroit Tigers. He graduated La Quinta High School in 1998, and played college baseball at Cypress College...
hit a line drive that was caught by second baseman Ian Kinsler
Ian Kinsler
Ian Michael Kinsler is a Major League Baseball All-Star second baseman for the Texas Rangers.Despite having been drafted in only the 17th round out of college, Kinsler has risen to become a two-time All Star, and a member of the Sporting News 2009 list of the 50 greatest current players in baseball...
. He tossed the ball to Elvis Andrus
Elvis Andrus
Elvis Augusto Andrus Torres is a Major League Baseball shortstop for the Texas Rangers.Entering , he was rated by Baseball America as the No. 2 prospect in the Atlanta Braves organization...
, who touched second & then tagged Raburn for the third out.
A triple play occurred on August 23, 2009 when Eric Bruntlett
Eric Bruntlett
Eric Kevin Bruntlett is a retired Major League Baseball utility player who last played in the New York Yankees organization. He was known for his defensive versatility; he usually played second base or shortstop, but has also played left field. Bruntlett played every position except for catcher...
of the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
turned the first ever game-ending unassisted triple play in the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
. Playing against the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
, in the bottom of the ninth inning with men on first and second, Jeff Francoeur
Jeff Francoeur
Jeffrey Braden Francoeur , nicknamed "Frenchy", is a Major League Baseball right fielder who now plays for the Kansas City Royals. Francoeur is known for a strong throwing arm.-Minor league career:...
hit a line drive up the middle, where Bruntlett (substituting for Chase Utley
Chase Utley
Chase Cameron Utley is a second baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball. A native of the Greater Los Angeles area, he was raised in the city of Long Beach. He was a star baseball player at Long Beach Polytechnic High School, before moving on to UCLA...
) was covering with both men moving. Bruntlett caught the ball, tagged second to double up Luis Castillo and then tagged Daniel Murphy from first, thereby completing the triple play. This was only the second game-ending unassisted triple play in MLB history and the first since 1927.
A triple play occurred on September 6, 2009 in a game between the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
and the San Francisco Giants at Miller Park. Aaron Rowand
Aaron Rowand
Aaron Ryan Rowand is an outfielder in Major League Baseball who has played for the San Francisco Giants, Chicago White Sox and the Philadelphia Phillies. He was released by the Giants in September 2011.-Early life and college career:...
of the Giants hit a ground ball to Casey McGehee
Casey McGehee
Casey Michael McGehee is a Major League Baseball infielder for the Milwaukee Brewers.-Early life:McGehee graduated from Soquel High School in Soquel, California and attended Fresno State University....
of the Brewers. McGehee stepped on third, threw the ball to Felipe López at second who turned and threw to Prince Fielder at first completing the 5–4–3 triple play.
A triple play occurred on April 22, 2010 in a game between the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
and New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
at Oakland Coliseum. Kurt Suzuki
Kurt Suzuki
is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Oakland Athletics.-College career:Suzuki played at Cal State Fullerton. Cal State Fullerton captured the 2004 College World Series championship, thanks to Suzuki's two-out RBI single in the bottom of the seventh inning, giving the Titans a 3-2 win over the...
of the Athletics hit a ground ball to third baseman Alex Rodriguez
Alex Rodriguez
Alexander Emmanuel "Alex" Rodriguez is an American professional baseball third baseman with the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball. Known popularly by his nickname A-Rod, he previously played shortstop for the Seattle Mariners and the Texas Rangers.Rodriguez is considered one of the best...
of the Yankees. Rodriguez stepped on third base, threw to second baseman Robinson Cano
Robinson Canó
Robinson José Canó Mercedes is a Dominican baseball player who currently plays as a second baseman for the New York Yankees.-Family and early life:...
and who then threw to Nick Johnson
Nick Johnson
Nicholas Robert Johnson is an American Major League Baseball first baseman.He previously played for the New York Yankees , Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals , and the Florida Marlins...
at first to complete the triple play. Rodriguez is the only active player to be involved in three career triple plays.
A triple play occurred on May 19, 2010 in a game between the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
and the Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
at Nationals Park during the 5th inning. Cristian Guzman
Cristian Guzmán
Cristian Antonio Guzmán is a Dominican baseball player who plays second base and shortstop, who is currently a free agent.-Minnesota Twins:...
hit a liner to center fielder Ángel Pagán
Angel Pagán
Ángel Anthony Pagán is a Puerto Rican professional baseball player. He currently plays outfield for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball. Pagan's original contract in Major League Baseball was with the Mets, but he was transferred to the Chicago Cubs when they bought his contract...
of the Mets who dived on the play. Pagán threw to catcher Henry Blanco
Henry Blanco
Henry Ramón Blanco is a Venezuelan professional baseball player. He currently plays in Major League Baseball as a catcher and is currently a free agent...
in the middle of the infield, who then threw to shortstop José Reyes at second. Reyes then threw the ball to Ike Davis
Ike Davis
Isaac Benjamin "Ike" Davis is a Major League Baseball first baseman for the New York Mets. He and his father Ron Davis, who pitched in the majors for 11 years, are the 197th father-son combination to have both played in the major leagues.He led his high school team to three straight Arizona state...
at first to finish the triple play.
A triple play occurred on August 9, 2010 in a game between the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
and the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
at Safeco Field
Safeco Field
Safeco Field is a retractable roof baseball stadium located in Seattle, Washington. The stadium, owned and operated by the Washington-King County Stadium Authority, is the home stadium of the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball and has a seating capacity of 47,878 for baseball...
during the 4th inning. Mark Ellis
Mark Ellis (baseball)
Mark William Ellis is an American professional baseball second baseman for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball. He has played for the Oakland Athletics and Colorado Rockies.-Early career:...
hit a grounder to third baseman José López of the Mariners who touched third base, threw to second baseman Chone Figgins
Chone Figgins
Desmond DeChone "Chone" Figgins is an American Major League Baseball third baseman for the Seattle Mariners. Figgins is a utility player, playing all positions except catcher, pitcher, and first base.-Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim:...
, who then threw to first baseman Casey Kotchman
Casey Kotchman
Casey John Kotchman is an American Major League Baseball first baseman.-High school:He was on the 2001 national champion team of Seminole High School in Seminole, Florida.-Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim:...
to complete the triple play.
A triple play occurred on April 3, 2011, in a game between the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
and the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
at Progressive Field during the 4th inning. With A.J. Pierzynski on first and Carlos Quentin
Carlos Quentin
Carlos Josè Quentin is an American outfielder who plays for the Chicago White Sox. In 2008 and in 2011, Quentin was selected as an All-Star.-Early career:...
on second, Alexi Ramirez bunted the ball in the air, and it was caught by first baseman Carlos Santana
Carlos Santana (baseball)
Carlos Santana is a Dominican Republic professional baseball player, who is currently a catcher and first baseman with the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball's American League.-Professional career:...
. Santana threw to second baseman Orlando Cabrera
Orlando Cabrera
Orlando Luis Cabrera, nicknamed "O-Cab" and "The OC", is a Colombian-American baseball infielder.He won a World Series championship in 2004 with the Boston Red Sox. He has played for the Montreal Expos, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, Minnesota Twins,...
covering first to retire Pierzynski. Cabrera threw to shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera
Asdrúbal Cabrera
Asdrúbal José Cabrera is a switch-hitting infielder for the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball.After coming up through the Seattle Mariners organization, he was acquired by the Indians on June 30, 2006, in exchange for Eduardo Perez...
at second base to retire Quentin and complete the triple play. Asdrubal Cabrera has been involved in all three triple plays that the Indians have turned at Progressive Field.
A triple play occurred on August 15, 2011 in a game between the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
and the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
at Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
. In the top of the second inning with Matt Kemp
Matt Kemp
Matthew Ryan "Matt" Kemp is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.Kemp was drafted by the Dodgers in the 6th round of the 2003 draft and made his major league debut in 2006...
on second base and Juan Rivera on first, James Loney hit a ground ball to Josh Wilson. Wilson flipped the ball to Yuniesky Betancourt
Yuniesky Betancourt
Yuniesky Betancourt is a Major League Baseball shortstop. He resides in Boca Raton, Florida.-Cuban leagues:...
to record the force out at second. Betancourt threw to Prince Fielder
Prince Fielder
Prince Semien Fielder is a Major League Baseball free agent who plays first base. He is currently listed at 5' 11" and . He was selected by the Brewers in the first round of the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft out of Eau Gallie High School in Melbourne, Florida.He is the son of former Detroit...
at first to record the second out. Fielder then relayed to home plate where George Kottaras
George Kottaras
George Kottaras is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Milwaukee Brewers. Kottaras attended Milliken Mills High School in Markham, Ontario, Canada.-Professional baseball career:...
tagged a sliding Kemp to record the third and final out. Interestingly enough, the last triple play against the Los Angeles Dodgers, which occurred on May 4, 2009, involved Wilson and Felipe López, both currently members of the Milwaukee Brewers.
A triple play was turned by the Boston Red Sox on August 16, 2011 against the Tampa Bay Rays in the second game of a doubleheader
Doubleheader (baseball)
A doubleheader is a set of two baseball games played between the same two teams on the same day in front of the same crowd. In addition, the term is often used unofficially to refer to a pair of games played by a team in a single day, but in front of different crowds and not in immediate...
. There were runners on first and second with none out. A ground ball by Sean Rodriguez
Sean Rodriguez
Sean John Rodriguez is a Cuban American Major League Baseball short stop for the Tampa Bay Rays.-High school career:...
was fielded at third by Jed Lowrie, who took one step backwards onto the third base bag and fired to Pedroia, who was covering second and then relayed the ball to Adrian Gonzalez at first base for the third out. However, the Red Sox lost.
A triple play occurred in a game between the New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays on September 27, 2011. The bases were loaded with none out. Mark Teixeira
Mark Teixeira
Mark Charles Teixeira , nicknamed "Tex" is an American Major League Baseball player for the New York Yankees. Mostly a first baseman, he has also played third base and in the outfield...
was on third, Nick Swisher
Nick Swisher
Nicholas Thompson "Nick" Swisher is an outfielder for the New York Yankees. Swisher is a switch hitter who throws left-handed....
was on second, and Jorge Posada
Jorge Posada
Jorge Rafael Posada Villeta is a Major League Baseball player who is currently a free agent and has played his entire career for the New York Yankees. He served as the Yankees primary catcher for most of his career, though following off-season knee surgery, he was moved to designated hitter for...
was on first. New York catcher Russell Martin
Russell Martin
Russell Nathan Jeanson Coltrane Martin, Jr is a Canadian Major League Baseball catcher for the New York Yankees.Martin became the everyday catcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers immediately upon his Major League debut, and continued in that role for nearly 5 years...
grounded a ball to Tampa Bay third baseman Evan Longoria
Evan Longoria
Evan Michael Longoria is a Major League Baseball third baseman for the Tampa Bay Rays. Formerly, Longoria was a star infielder for the Long Beach State University baseball team, the Cape Cod League MVP, and the Big West Co-Player of the Year.He made his major league debut for the Rays in , and...
, who covered third to get Swisher, and then threw to Ben Zobrist
Ben Zobrist
Benjamin Thomas "Ben" Zobrist is an American baseball player currently with Major League Baseball's Tampa Bay Rays. A switch-hitter who throws right-handed, he has exhibited a versatility to play most positions with the exception of pitcher and catcher. He has been the Rays' starting second...
at second to get Posada, then Zobrist threw to Sean Rodriguez
Sean Rodriguez
Sean John Rodriguez is a Cuban American Major League Baseball short stop for the Tampa Bay Rays.-High school career:...
to get a sliding Martin, completing the triple play and ending the inning.
Unassisted triple plays
The rarest type of triple play, and one of the rarest events of any kind in baseball, is for a single player to complete all three outs. Typically, this is achieved when an infielder catches a line drive near second or third base (one out), tags the base to double up the runner who started play there (two out) and tags an advancing runner before he can return to his original base (three out).The most recent unassisted triple play is Eric Bruntlett's, described above. Bruntlett's is the second game-ending unassisted triple play, and the National League's first.
Unfielded triple play
Political columnist and baseball enthusiast George WillGeorge Will
George Frederick Will is an American newspaper columnist, journalist, and author. He is a Pulitzer Prize-winner best known for his conservative commentary on politics...
, in a baseball quiz in Newsweek
Newsweek
Newsweek is an American weekly news magazine published in New York City. It is distributed throughout the United States and internationally. It is the second-largest news weekly magazine in the U.S., having trailed Time in circulation and advertising revenue for most of its existence...
for April 6, 2009, p. 60, posed one hypothetical way that a triple play could occur with no fielder touching the ball. With runners on first and second and no outs, the batter hits an infield fly
Infield Fly Rule
The infield fly rule is a baseball rule that is intended to prevent infielders from intentionally dropping pop-ups in order to turn double plays . Without this rule, a defense could easily turn a pop-up into a double play when there are runners at first and second base...
, and is automatically out: One out. The runner from first passes the runner from second and is called out for that rule's infraction. Two outs. Just after that, the falling ball hits the runner from second, who is called out for interference: Three outs.
Whenever a batter or runner is out without a fielder touching the ball, rules book section 10.09 provides for automatic putouts to be assigned by the official scorer. In this case, the first out would be credited to whoever the official scorer believes would have had the best chance of catching the infield fly. The second and third outs would be credited to the fielder(s) closest to the points the runners were, when their respective outs occurred. Under the scenario described above, the same fielder (the shortstop, for example) could be credited with all three putouts, thus attaining an unassisted triple play without having touched the ball.
However, this scenario is extremely unlikely, as it would require a complete disregard by the participating players to the rules of baseball. Most likely, this scenario would only occur in a youth baseball game.
External links
- Descriptions of MLB Triple Plays on RetrosheetRetrosheetRetrosheet is a non-profit organization whose website features major league baseball box scores and play-by-play narratives for almost every contest from 1871–1872, 1874, 1911 NL, and 1918–2010...
- Baseball's Triple Plays 1876–Present