Unassisted Triple Plays by Baseball Almanac

Unassisted Triple Plays

The unassisted triple play is one of the rarest fabulous feats in Major League baseball. It has been accomplished only fifteen times in 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.

"Funny thing, I played in the big leagues for thirteen years and the only thing anybody seems to remember is that once I made an unassisted triple play in a World Series." - Bill Wambsganss

Unassisted Triple Plays Randy Velarde Glove worn during unassisted triple play. American League Unassisted Triple Plays
Name^{(Historical Order)}	Position	Date / Box Score	Inning	Team
Neal Ball^(#1)	SS	07-19-1909	2^nd	Cleveland Indians
Notes: Caught liner. Touched 2nd. Tagged runner coming from 1st.
Bill Wambsganss^(#2)	2B	10-10-1920	5^th	Cleveland Indians
Notes: Caught liner. Touched 2nd. Tagged runner coming from 1st.
George Burns^(#3)	1B	09-14-1923	2^nd	Boston Red Sox
Notes: Caught liner. Tagged man off 1st. Tag 2nd before man returned.
Johnny Neun^(#7)	1B	05-31-1927	9^th	Detroit Tigers
Notes: Caught liner. Tagged man off 1st. Tag 2nd before man returned.
Ron Hansen^(#8)	SS	07-30-1968	1^st	Washington Senators
Notes: Caught liner. Touched 2nd. Tagged runner coming from 1st.
John Valentin^(#10)	SS	07-08-1994	6^th	Boston Red Sox
Notes: Caught liner. Touched 2nd. Tagged runner coming from 1st.
Randy Velarde^(#11)	2B	05-29-2000	6^th	Oakland Athletics
Notes: Caught liner. Tagged runner coming from 1st. Touched 2nd.
Asdrubal Cabrera^(#14)	2B	05-12-2008	5^th	Cleveland Indians
Notes: Caught liner. Touched 2nd. Tagged runner coming from 1st.
Unassisted Triple Plays Jimmy Cooney Glove worn during unassisted triple play. National League Unassisted Triple Plays
Name^{(Historical Order)}	Position	Date / Box Score	Inning	Team
Ernie Padgett^(#4)	SS	10-06-1923	4^th	Boston Braves
Notes: Caught liner. Touched 2nd. Tagged runner coming from 1st.
Glenn Wright^(#5)	SS	05-07-1925	9^th	Pittsburgh Pirates
Notes: Caught liner. Touched 2nd. Tagged runner going back to 1st.
Jimmy Cooney^(#6)	SS	05-30-1927	4^th	Chicago Cubs
Notes: Caught liner. Touched 2nd. Tagged runner coming from 1st.
Mickey Morandini^(#9)	2B	09-20-1992	6^th	Philadelphia Phillies
Notes: Caught liner. Touched 2nd. Tagged runner coming from 1st.
Rafael Furcal^(#12)	SS	08-10-2003	5^th	Atlanta Braves
Notes: Caught liner. Touched 2nd. Tagged runner going back to 1st.
Troy Tulowitzki^(#13)	SS	04-29-2007	7^th	Colorado Rockies
Notes: Caught liner. Touched 2nd. Tagged runner coming from 1st.
Eric Bruntlett^(#15)	2B	08-23-2009	9^th	Philadelphia Phillies
Notes: Caught liner. Touched 2nd. Tagged runner coming from 1st.
Name	Position	Date / Box Score	Inning	Team
Unassisted Triple Play

On May 8, 1878, Paul Hines was credited with a triple play which was correct for the "rules in play." However, by modern rules it was an unassisted double play with a throw to second base for the third out.

Bill Wambsganss Unassisted Triple Play

Bill Wambsganss Triple Play during 1920 World Series
(Source: Hall of Fame Collection)

On October 10, 1920, Elmer Smith hit the the first grand slam in World Series history. What is the relevance? During that same game Wamby also turned the first & only unassisted triple play (Read the entire Cleveland Times article on our 1920 World Series page) in post season history.

George Burns and Johnny Neun are the only first-baseman in Major League history to ever turn an unassisted triple play? Breaking down all fifteen by position shows us two by first baseman, five by second basemen and eight by shortstops.

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