Neal Ball Makes History
Neal Ball (SS, CLE) pulled off something nobody had ever seen before on July 19, 1909. The Cleveland Naps were hosting the Boston Red Sox, and in the second inning, Ball turned baseball's first-ever unassisted triple play. Amby McConnell hit a line drive that Ball snagged. Two Red Sox runners were already moving, thinking the ball would drop. Ball stepped on second base for one out, then tagged the runner coming from first. Just like that—three outs on one play.

Nobody knew they'd just witnessed history because, well, it had never happened before. Ball finished his career with a .250 batting average and wasn't known for his glove work. But on that summer day in Cleveland, he did something that would put his name in the record books forever. It's funny how baseball works sometimes. You can play for years and be forgotten, or you can make one play that people talk about more than a century later.

Wambsganss Does It on Baseball's Biggest Stage
Bill Wambsganss (2B, CLE) picked the perfect moment for the most famous unassisted triple play ever. Game 5 of the 1920 World Series. Cleveland Indians versus Brooklyn Robins. Fifth inning at Cleveland's League Park. Clarence Mitchell hit a liner that Wambsganss caught near second base. Pete Kilduff had taken off from second, and Otto Miller was running from first. Wambsganss stepped on the bag, then turned and tagged Miller, who was standing there looking confused. Three outs. The crowd went absolutely nuts.

People still talk about this one because it happened in the World Series, which makes it special. The Indians won that game 8-1 and took the Series in seven games. Wambsganss played 13 seasons and hit .259 for his career, but nobody remembers those numbers. They remember October 10, 1920. He spent the rest of his life telling that story, appearing at card shows and banquets. Can't blame him. If I'd done that, I'd talk about it every chance I got too.

George Burns Joins the Club
George Burns (1B, BOS) became the first first baseman to turn an unassisted triple play on September 14, 1923. Playing for the Boston Red Sox against Cleveland, Burns made his mark in the second inning. Frank Brower hit a line drive that Burns caught. The runners were moving, and Burns had the presence of mind to step on first base and tag the runner coming from second.

What's interesting here is that Burns was primarily known for his bat. He hit .307 that season and finished his career at .287 over 16 years. The guy could hit. But this wasn't about hitting—this was about being in the right place and thinking fast. First basemen don't get many chances for plays like this because of where they're positioned. Burns got his chance and didn't mess it up. It happened at Fenway Park too, which made it even sweeter for the home crowd.

Padgett's October Surprise
Ernie Padgett (SS, BOS) turned his unassisted triple play less than a month after Burns did his. October 6, 1923, fourth inning, Boston Braves hosting the Philadelphia Phillies. Walter Holke hit the ball, and Padgett made the play.

Here's the thing about Padgett, though—he only played 54 games in the major leagues. His career batting average was .191. He wasn't a star. He was barely a regular player. But for one moment in October 1923, he did something that only a handful of players in baseball history have ever done.

Sometimes I think about guys like Padgett. Imagine being able to tell your grandkids that you turned an unassisted triple play in the big leagues. Doesn't matter that you hit .191 or only lasted one season. You did something remarkable. Baseball's full of stories like this, where a guy who wasn't particularly special has one moment that makes him unforgettable.

Glenn Wright's Ninth-Inning Magic
Glenn Wright (SS, PIT) turned his triple play in about the most stressful situation possible. Ninth inning, May 7, 1925, Pittsburgh Pirates hosting the St. Louis Cardinals. Jim Bottomley was at the plate. Wright caught the liner, stepped on second, tagged the runner. Game over, basically.

Wright was actually a pretty good player, unlike some of the others on this list. He hit .294 that season and made the All-Star team multiple times during his career. His career was cut short by injury, but while he played, he could really play. The ninth-inning timing makes this one special. You're trying to close out a game, runners are moving, and you've got to think fast. Wright did. The Pirates won that game, and Wright added his name to a very exclusive list. Only five years after Wambsganss did it in the World Series, these plays were still rare enough to make national news.

Cooney's Memorial Day Gem
Jimmy Cooney Jr. (SS, CHC) made his play on May 30, 1927—Memorial Day. Chicago Cubs versus Pittsburgh Pirates, fourth inning. Paul Waner hit into it. Cooney caught the liner, touched second, tagged the runner. Done.

What makes this one interesting is the timing. Less than 24 hours later, another guy would turn an unassisted triple play. But we'll get to that. Cooney played nine seasons and hit .252 for his career. He was a solid defensive shortstop but nothing spectacular at the plate. His father, Jimmy Cooney Sr., also played in the majors, so baseball was in the family. The younger Cooney had his moment on Memorial Day 1927, and it's a moment that stands out in a career that was otherwise pretty ordinary. Sometimes that's enough. You don't have to be Honus Wagner to be remembered. You just need one special play.

Neun Does It the Very Next Day
Johnny Neun (1B, DET) turned his unassisted triple play on May 31, 1927—the day after Cooney's. Ninth inning, Detroit Tigers at Cleveland Indians. Homer Summa hit the ball, and Neun caught it, tagged first, and got the runner heading to second. Game over. Walk-off unassisted triple play. There have only been two game-ending unassisted triple plays in history, and this was the first.

Neun played just three seasons in the majors and hit .289. After his playing career, he became a successful minor league manager and major league coach. But this play is what he's remembered for.

Imagine the odds. Two unassisted triple plays on consecutive days. It hadn't happened in the first 50 years of modern baseball, and then boom—back-to-back days. Baseball can be weird like that. Things that are supposed to be impossibly rare sometimes happen in clusters.

Hansen Breaks a 41-Year Drought
Ron Hansen (SS, WSH) ended the longest gap between unassisted triple plays when he turned one on July 30, 1968. First inning, Washington Senators hosting Cleveland. Joe Azcue hit the liner. Hansen made the catch, stepped on second, tagged the runner. Forty-one years had passed since Neun's play. People were starting to wonder if we'd ever see another one.

Hansen was actually a solid player. He won Rookie of the Year in 1960 and was known for his defense. But by 1968, he was 30 years old and nearing the end of his career. He'd finish with a .234 average over 15 seasons. The first-inning timing is notable here. Usually these plays happen later in games. Hansen got his out of the way early. The Senators won 10-1, and Hansen had already made the defensive play of the year before most fans had finished their first hot dog.

Morandini Brings It to the '90s
Mickey Morandini (2B, PHI) turned the first unassisted triple play in 24 years on September 20, 1992. Sixth inning, Philadelphia Phillies at Pittsburgh Pirates. Jeff King hit into it. Morandini caught the liner, stepped on second, tagged the runner heading to first. The drought was over.

Morandini played 11 seasons and was a solid player for the Phillies, hitting .268 for his career. He was part of the 1993 Phillies team that went to the World Series. But this play happened in '92, when he was still establishing himself as an everyday player.

What I find interesting is that after 1968, people probably thought we might not see another one for decades. Then Morandini does it, and suddenly they start happening more frequently. Six more would follow over the next 17 years. Baseball trends are funny that way.

Valentin's All-Star Break Timing
John Valentin (SS, BOS) turned his unassisted triple play on July 8, 1994, right before the All-Star break. Sixth inning, Boston Red Sox hosting Seattle Mariners. Marc Newfield hit the liner. Valentin caught it, stepped on second, tagged the runner. Fenway Park went crazy.

Valentin was in the middle of his best season, hitting .316 with an .893 OPS. He made three All-Star teams during his career and was a legitimate star for the Red Sox in the mid-'90s. This wasn't some backup player getting lucky. This was a good player making a great play. Valentin finished his career with a .279 average and 124 home runs over 11 seasons.

The timing was perfect too, happening right before the All-Star Game. Of course, that season ended with the strike in August, so the good vibes didn't last. But for one July afternoon, Valentin gave Red Sox fans something to celebrate.

Velarde Turns One in Oakland
Randy Velarde (2B, OAK) made his play on May 29, 2000. Sixth inning, Oakland Athletics hosting the New York Yankees. Shane Spencer hit into it. Velarde caught the liner, stepped on second, tagged the runner coming from first.

The A's were in the middle of building their early 2000s powerhouse, and Velarde was a key utility player on those teams. He played 16 seasons and hit .273 for his career, spending time with the Yankees, Angels, A's, and Rangers. Velarde was known for his versatility, playing multiple positions. But on this Memorial Day, he happened to be at second base, and he happened to be in the right spot at the right time. The A's won 4-1, and Velarde's play was the defensive highlight of the season. It's the kind of play that can energize a clubhouse and a season.

Furcal's Pitcher-Batting Rarity
Rafael Furcal (SS, ATL) turned his unassisted triple play against a pitcher, which is unusual. August 10, 2003, fifth inning, Atlanta Braves at St. Louis Cardinals. Woody Williams, the Cardinals pitcher, hit the liner. Furcal caught it, stepped on second, tagged the runner.

Yeah, the pitcher was batting. National League baseball. Williams wasn't exactly known for his hitting, but he put the ball in play and Furcal did the rest. Furcal was just 25 years old and already one of the best shortstops in baseball. He'd go on to play 14 seasons, hitting .286 with 314 stolen bases and winning a World Series with the Cardinals in 2011. But in 2003, he was still with the Braves, and this play showed why he was so valuable. Quick reflexes, good instincts, smart baseball. The fact that it came against a pitcher batting makes it slightly less impressive, maybe, but it still counts.

Tulowitzki's Sunday Night Special
Troy Tulowitzki (SS, COL) turned his triple play on April 29, 2007. Seventh inning, Colorado Rockies hosting Atlanta. Chipper Jones hit into it. Tulowitzki caught the liner, stepped on second, tagged the runner. Chipper Jones is a Hall of Famer, so this wasn't against some scrub.

Tulowitzki was in just his second season and already showing why he'd become one of the best shortstops of his generation. He'd finish his career with a .290 average, 225 home runs, and five All-Star selections. Injuries shortened his career, but when healthy, he was elite. This play came during the 2007 season when the Rockies would make their improbable run to the World Series. Tulowitzki was a huge part of that team, and this play early in the season was a sign of things to come. It happened at Coors Field, so the home crowd got to see something special.

Cabrera Keeps Cleveland's Tradition Alive
Asdrubal Cabrera (2B, CLE) turned his unassisted triple play on May 12, 2008. Fifth inning, Cleveland Indians hosting Toronto Blue Jays. Lyle Overbay hit the liner. Cabrera caught it, stepped on second, tagged the runner heading to first.

Cleveland has been involved in more unassisted triple plays than any other team, both making them and hitting into them. Cabrera was 22 years old and in his first full season as a starter. He'd go on to play 14 seasons, hitting .262 with solid defense at multiple positions. This play came early in his career, and it's probably the defensive highlight of his time in Cleveland. The Indians won 6-4, and Cabrera's play was the turning point. It's interesting how some teams just seem connected to certain rare plays. Cleveland and unassisted triple plays—it's a thing.

Bruntlett Ends It in Style
Eric Bruntlett (2B, PHI) turned the second game-ending unassisted triple play in history on August 23, 2009. Ninth inning, Philadelphia Phillies hosting New York Mets. Jeff Francoeur hit the liner with the Mets threatening to tie or take the lead. Bruntlett caught it, stepped on second, tagged the runner. Game over. Phillies win 9-7.

Walk-off unassisted triple play. Only the second one ever, 82 years after Johnny Neun did it. Bruntlett was a utility player, not a star. He hit .230 for his career over eight seasons. But on this August night at Citizens Bank Park, he made the play that ended the game and saved a win. The Phillies were the defending World Series champions, and this play happened during their pennant defense. Bruntlett retired after the 2010 season, but he'll always have this moment. The 15th and most recent unassisted triple play in major league history.

For now.