how to score an unassisted triple play in baseball

Waner lined a ball up the middle, but with Cooney shading that way while holding on the runner at second, he snared it, stepped on second and tagged the runner coming from first, who apparently thought the ball hadn't been caught in the air because he slid right into Cooney's tag. It is not as impressive as some of the other feats on the list, because while athleticism is a factor, a lot of luck is also needed. If there was a situation with the bases loaded in a close game I might even walk Howard intentionally, McDowell said.9. For the Indians, Elmer Smith hit the first Series grand slam and Jim Bagby, the winner, hit the first Series homer by a pitcher. Even after their 4-2 win in the series opener on July 29, with the go-ahead run coming on shortstop Ron Hansens seventh inning home run off the left-field foul pole screen,2 the perpetual bottom-dwelling Senators were 36-62, 25 games behind the AL-leading Detroit Tigers. It has been accomplished only fifteen times in baseball history and as illustrated in the quote below, it is a legacy that will follow each and every player who has ever accomplished this unbelievable feat. Cleveland finally broke through in the bottom half. The official box score of Baseball vs Eastern Connecticut St. Univ. The instant a triple is executed the side is out. In the 1920s, two AL teams had unassisted triple plays against the Indians. This was the second unassisted triple play in Red Sox history and the second one turned by a shortstop in the American League. Sims walked to load the bases again. In addition to the batter, these represent the possible outs that can be obtained from the play. Four seasons later, Detroits Neun preserved a 1-0 win over Cleveland by making the last three outs of the game with his triple play.21 Neuns was the last in the majors until happenstancea pitcher struggling in the first inning, a hit-and-run play, and a line drivegave Hansen the chance to make history in 1968. The unassisted triple play Case.Baseball is a channel where we share baseball drills, product reviews, inspiration and fun videos. Jimmy Cooney, Cubs shortstop, May 30, 1927, fourth inningIncredibly, there were unassisted triple plays turned on back-to-back days -- two of the 15 to ever take place -- with this one coming the day before Neun's in Detroit. Did you know that George Burns and Johnny Neun are the only two first basemen in Major League history to turn an unassisted triple play? Harper Collins Publishers. Johnny Neun, Tigers first baseman, May 31, 1927, ninth inningCleveland was the victim of the rarest of defensive plays not once, but three times. This usually happens in one of two ways: An infielder will catch a batted ball in the air (1) and then tag out a runner attempting to return to a base he left, or tag the base he left (2). The fielder, usually either the 2B or SS, catches the ball (out #1), then steps on 2nd to get the runner who had left 2nd (out #2), and then tags the runner coming down from first (out #3). In baseball, an unassisted double play (UDP) is when one fielder records two outs on the field, without the aid of another player. The Yankees won the game anyway,. George Burns, Red Sox first baseman, Sept. 14, 1923, second inningBurns was the first first baseman to turn an unassisted triple play. A double-play yielded Albright's second run to make the score 16-2, before Domenic Borelli hit a popup that was caught at third base. . A-Rods debut too With Cooney on second after drawing a walk, and Rogers Hornsby following with another base on balls, Jim Bottomley lined one to short, where Wright caught it, stepped on second to retire Cooney and then tagged Hornsby out for the triple-play. This touched second base and then tagged out Daniel Murphy in third. - John Valentin. In his debut, Haywood had pitched one inning and was charged with a blown save on an unearned run. Only 15 unassisted triple plays have occurred in MLB history, making this achievement rarer than a perfect game. As has been shown to be crucial to the typical unassisted triple play, the runners were going on the pitch. If the batter strikes out, write a K in the middle of the diamond. Bill Wambsganss Triple Play during 1920 World Series(Source: Hall of Fame Collection). And if you have been able to witness it before your own eyes, consider yourself lucky and blessed. The play starts with a line drive straight to a fielder while both runners are advancing. It is plausible that a third baseman could complete an unassisted triple play with runners at second and third or with bases loaded, but this has never happened in MLB. 2.3M subscribers in the baseball community. John Valentine's triple play. The other two were completed by first basemen, who were able to reach second base before the returning baserunner. This is in contrast to the story told by Neal Balls great-niece regarding his 1909 unassisted triple playshe recalled hearing that so many hats were thrown on the field that the game was delayed 20 minutes. Most unassisted triple plays in MLB have taken this form: an infielder catches a line drive (one out), steps on a base to double off a runner (two outs), and then tags another runner on the runner's way to the next base (three outs). An Unassisted Triple Play means that one player (almost always an infielder 1 - an unassisted triple play by an outfielder is not impossible, as Paul Hines proved, but it was very difficult) gets three players out from the time the batter hits the ball to the time all the baserunners are out or on a base (a play). Phil Wood to Steven Weiner, email communication, December 5, 2022. It was Lolichs third win and came after the Tigers had lost three of the first four games. Bill Wambsganns completes the 1st World Series unassisted triple play. A triple play is a relatively rare occurrence in baseball with only 720 being recorded since 1876. The Irish scored the game winner at 5:35 of the second overtime . For this rare play to be possible there must be no outs in the inning and at least two runners on base. ? Page 215.). The first player in MLB history to record an unassisted triple-play was Neal Ball of the Cleveland Naps on July 19, 1909. When it comes to the ultimate defensive gem, it's hard to argue against the unassisted triple play. Bruntlett caught the drive and proceeded to field the play described above. At Citi Field on Sunday, the Phillies led the Mets by two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning. Nobody even realized what had happened but me and my coach. The most recent unassisted triple play in the MLB occurred in 2009, and was made by Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Eric Bruntlett. This happened in Clevelands League Park, Heinie Wagner of Boston, singled to open the second inning against Cleveland starter Cy Young. 14 Ron Hansen Unassisted Triple Play Glove, Baseballhall.org, accessed January 24, 2023, https://collection.baseballhall.org/objects/2205/ron-hansen-unassisted-triple-play-glove. He then got to his feet and stepped on second to get the force out on Andy Van Slyke before tagging out Barry Bonds, who was on the move from first base with the pitch. Afterward the media attention focused on Hansen, given the rarity of unassisted triple plays and length of time since the last one41 years, 50,000 games, and 2.7 million putouts.12 I didnt know that, Hansen said, referring to the time since the last such play, but I did know there were three out., It was one of the best plays I ever made in terms of all the putouts, he added. He later scored on Baccari's ground out. All but three of the them were made by second base men and shortstop s (Hines was a centerfielder, Neun and Burns were first basemen). The most remarkable defensive gem to record in a single inning, accomplished by just a handful.The 'Four Home Runs in a Game' Club:https://www.youtube.com/wa. Thats what the statistics show. A triple unassisted play is a term in baseball where a single player makes three outs in one play. Chicago won, 7-6, in 10 innings. Given that the play was turned by a visiting player it is not surprising that the print media did not record much crowd reaction.8. With runners on first and second and nobody out in the ninth inning at Citi Field, the Mets started the runners while trailing, 9-7. He stepped on second and tagged Boston's Jake Stahl, who had been on the move from first as part of a hit-and-run attempt. He pitched in four more games for the Senators in 1968, appeared in 26 minor- and instructional-league games in 1969, then retired. If the runner made it all the way home, without the benefit of an error, that my friends would be called an Inside The Park Home Run. . What we do know is that this kind of play is a one in a lifetime event. 1931 The St. Louis Cardinals held on to beat the Philadelphia As, 4-2 in Game 7 of the World Series. Asdrbal Cabrera, Cleveland second baseman, May 12, 2008, fifth inningSame situation here, though not in the ninth -- this time, it was the fifth inning at Progressive Field. Furcal then ran to tag second base, as well as the retreating runner who had come from first, Orlando Palmeiro. Happy trails king. 0: 1: Runs 1 Hits 2 . A ball was hit to Bruntlett by New York Mets hitter Jeff Francoeur. There he forced the runner Strike Gonzlez who was going to third and then tagged out Jos Fernndez who had been running from first. All the Senators managed in the sixth and seventh were singles by Frank Howard and Mike Epstein (pinch-hitting for Haywood). In the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League, the only unassisted triple play was at the hands of one of the most legendary players in that country: David Concepcin. In the top of the seventh inning of a 5-5 game at Coors Field, the Braves' Chipper Jones smashed a liner right to Tulowitzki at short, and all that remained was the simple matter of stepping on second and tagging out the runner from first, Edgar Renteria. A veteran reliever who had pitched over 100 innings for the Senators in the previous two years, he was making his 32nd appearance of the year. Copyright 1999- It was the sixth inning at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, and the Pirates' Jeff King hit a line drive up the middle that Morandini made a great diving play on. And, I don't know why, because The Boston Globe called it an unassisted triple play the very next day. In baseball, an unassisted triple play occurs when a defensive player makes all three putouts by himself in one continuous play, without his teammates making any assists. Lawrence S. The Glory of Their Times: The Story of the Early Days of Baseball Told by the Men Who Played It. It consists of a runner on third base who reaches first base by stealing second and then being caught stealing third by the catcher with nobody out. Trivia alert: There was a player making his Major League debut during this unassisted triple play game and it was none other than future superstar Alex Rodriguez. The Athletics rallied for two runs and had two runners on base with two outs in the ninth inning when Cardinals reliever Bill Hallahan got the final out for the win. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. It has been accomplished only fifteen times in baseball history and as illustrated in the quote below, it is a legacy that will follow each and every player who has ever accomplished this unbelievable feat. Washington Senators 1. American League Unassisted Triple Plays | Triple Plays. Keep in mind that statistically in the United States, they have been able to score and save each of these plays, but in other countries where baseball has been played, especially in the 19th century, it is difficult to know, since a box score was not kept. It can be the difference between a jam and a massive sigh of relief for all the defending players and their respective fans. And, on August 23, 2009, Eric Bruntlett wrapped up 9-7 win by the Phillies over the Mets with an unassisted triple play in the bottom of the ninth inning. Hines then accelerated and stepped on third, which according to the rules of the time, meant that the two runners were out. Red Sox first baseman George Burns turned one on September 14, 1923. 18 The only difference was that the team had added the Illinois Sesquicentennial patch to his 1967 uniform. sport in australia. The most frequent triple plays occur from groundballs. 2: 2: DE SEDAS, N. struck out swinging (1-2 SKBS). Bill Wambsganns completes the 1st World Series unassisted triple play. 1945 The Detroit Tigers scored five runs in the first inning of Game 7 of the World Series en route to a 9-3 win over the Chicago Cubs and the World Championship. OHagan then ran to second base and stepped in to finish the inning. 1 Baseball Biography, Charles Dryden, Baseballbiography.com, accessed November 30, 2022, https://baseballbiography.com/charles-dryden/. Report: Padres add Rougned Odor on minor-league deal, Despite its kinks, MLB's pitch clock paying immediate dividends, Rockies' Rodgers could miss weeks after dislocating shoulder, Report: Marlins could invite Gurriel to camp after rescinding $3M offer. There have only been 15 unassisted triple plays observed in history, making the event even rarer than a perfect game. 1999 One night after winning their second postseason game in 20 tries, the Boston Red Sox made it two in a row in record style shocking the Cleveland Indians 23-7 to force a deciding fifth game in their first-round AL playoff series. So much for his endorsement deal. Phil Wood to Steven Weiner, email communication, December 5, 2022. Humphreys walked Sims, then allowed a run-scoring double to Cardenal, who took third on a throwing error by Hansen. [1] McDowell admitted after the game that he didnt know how to handle Frank Howard, whose three hits made him 7-for-9 in 1968 against his fellow All-Star. 1980 Kansas Citys George Brett hit an upper deck three-run homer off relief ace Goose Gossage to give the Kansas City Royals a 4-2 victory and a three-game sweep of New York Yankees in the ALCS. That would not be particularly remarkable except that he had been acquired from the White Sox before the season in a trade that included Cullen.16, It was the first time in baseball history that the same two players were traded for each other twice in the same season.17 Perhaps the White Sox were expecting Hansen backupon arrival he found his locker as he had left it, complete with his 1967 uniform.18. Hansen, in his 11th big-league season, had completed the majors ninth-ever unassisted triple playand the first in 41 years. A normal triple play, in which several players take part, is already quite rare and very few happen, but an unassisted becomes a rarity. The scorekeeper writes in the names of the two teams, the date of the game, game start and end time, and the weather conditions at game time (sunny, cloudy, rain, etc). The triple play is an event very rarely seen in the MLB. We also invite you to follow us on social networks: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/conlasbasesllenas/, Twitter: https://twitter.com/ConLasBasesFull, Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conlasbasesllenas/?hl=en, You cannot miss our program With the Full Bases in Podcast. If the fielder steps on one base and then tags the third runner out, this is an unassisted triple play. Bill Wambsganss, Cleveland second baseman, Oct. 10, 1920, fifth inning (Game 5 of World Series)There has only been one unassisted triple play in postseason history, and it came during Game 5 of the 1920 World Series between Cleveland and the Brooklyn Robins (later the Dodgers). If the runner goes on to score during the play, and the official scorer determines it was made possible due to an error, the batter would still only be credited with a triple. That game was also the first in Fall Classic history to feature a grand slam, which was hit by Elmer Smith in the first inning of the 8-1 Cleveland victory at League Park. Clevelands unassisted triple play saga had yet another twist in the twenty-first century. But to record all three outs yourself -- single-handedly killing a rally in the process -- is especially rare. When the club was known as the Cleveland Naps, shortstop Neal Ball made the first one of the twentieth century, against the Boston Red Sox in 1909. A triple play is when three outs are recorded in a single play. Those 5,937 fans at the Washington-Cleveland series finale not only enjoyed an overwhelming home-team victory, they witnessed the rarest event in baseballan unassisted triple play.4, All-Star Sam McDowell (10-9, 1.65 ERA) took the mound for Cleveland, working a three-up, three-down inning to get the game started.5, Bruce Howard (1-5, 4.28 ERA), nearing the end of his six-year major league career, also had a scoreless first inningwith a lot of help from his shortstop, Hansen.6. If you can help us improve this game story,contact us. The Yankees were able to get out of a jam in the ninth inning with a stunning 5-4-3 triple play to keep the White Sox from scoring. Hansen, serving as an advance scout for the Philadelphia Phillies, was in Cleveland when Indians shortstop Asdrbal Cabrera turned what was then tallied as the 14th unassisted triple play in major league history in May 2008another 40-year span. Do we have to argue about everything, people? Mike Paul relieved McDowell in the top of the ninth. 13 Hansen Registers. He was in the right place at the right time, but perhaps with the wrong glove. Cleveland (57-47), led by first-year manager Alvin Dark, shared second place with the Baltimore Orioles, seven games back.3. A triple play can also be the result of a ground ball: for example, with no one out and runners on first and second, the batter hits a ground ball to the third baseman playing near the bag; he steps on the base for the first out, throws to the second baseman for the second out, and the second baseman in turns relays to first base for the third out. Ball jumped out and caught it, doubling off Wagner at second base, and then touched Stahl between first and second to score the third out. During the top of the sixth inning Marc Newfield hit a hard line drive that was caught by Valentin. Turning a triple play with the help of your teammates is noteworthy enough. 16 The complete trade on February 13, 1968 was Hansen, Dennis Higgins, and Steve Jones to the Senators for Cullen, Buster Narum, and Bob Priddy from the White Sox. All Rights Reserved by Baseball Almanac, Inc.Hosted by Hosting 4 Less. This unassisted triple play ended the game. As of July 2021, there have been 727 triple plays, according to the SABR Triple Play database. A regular triple play involves at least 2 defensive players. Hansens play added another chapter to Clevelands odds-defying history with the games rarest occurrence. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.13 Right time, right place, indeedRon Hansen didnt make it to the Baseball Hall of Famebut his glove did.14. However, by modern rules it was an unassisted double play with a throw to second base for the third out. Use the blank area at the bottom to note the umpires, the weather, the attendance, or anything else. 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