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 thirteen times in history and as illustrated in the quote above, 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
Name	Position	Date / Box Score	Inning	Team
Neal Ball	SS	07-19-1909	2^nd	Cleveland Indians
Notes: Caught liner. Touched 2nd. Tagged runner coming from 1st.
Bill Wambsganss	2B	10-10-1920	5^th	Cleveland Indians
Notes: Caught liner. Touched 2nd. Tagged runner coming from 1st.
George Burns	1B	09-14-1923	2^nd	Boston Red Sox
Notes: Caught liner. Tagged man off 1st. Tag 2nd before man returned.
Johnny Neun	1B	05-31-1927	9^th	Detroit Tigers
Notes: Caught liner. Tagged man off 1st. Tag 2nd before man returned.
Ron Hansen	SS	07-30-1968	1^st	Washington Senators
Notes: Caught liner. Touched 2nd. Tagged runner coming from 1st.
John Valentin	SS	07-08-1994	6^th	Boston Red Sox
Notes: Caught liner. Touched 2nd. Tagged runner coming from 1st.
Randy Velarde	2B	05-29-2000	6^th	Oakland Athletics
Notes: Caught liner. Tagged runner coming from 1st. Touched 2nd.
Unassisted Triple Plays Jimmy Cooney Glove worn during unassisted triple play. National League
Name	Position	Date / Box Score	Inning	Team
Ernie Padgett	SS	10-06-1923	4^th	Boston Braves
Notes: Caught liner. Touched 2nd. Tagged runner coming from 1st.
Glenn Wright	SS	05-07-1925	9^th	Pittsburgh Pirates
Notes: Caught liner. Touched 2nd. Tagged runner going back to 1st.
Jimmy Cooney	SS	05-30-1927	4^th	Chicago Cubs
Notes: Caught liner. Touched 2nd. Tagged runner coming from 1st.
Mickey Morandini	2B	09-20-1992	6^th	Philadelphia Phillies
Notes: Caught liner. Touched 2nd. Tagged runner coming from 1st.
Rafael Furcal	SS	08-10-2003	5^th	Atlanta Braves
Notes: Caught liner. Touched 2nd. Tagged runner going back to 1st.
Troy Tulowitzki	SS	04-29-2007	7^th	Colorado Rockies
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 thirteen by position shows us two by first baseman, three by second basemen and eight by shortstops.

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