How Many Triple Plays In Baseball History?

How many triple plays have there been in baseball history? We take a look at this fascinating stat and explore some of the most famous triple plays in the game’s history.

Introduction

A triple play occurs when a defensively team retires all three offensive players on the basepaths during the same play. It is considered one of the rarest and most exciting plays in baseball.

There have been just over 300 triple plays in MLB history, dating back to 1876. The most recent came on September 5th, 2019, when the Seattle Mariners turned one against the Los Angeles Angels.

While they are certainly exciting, triple plays are often seen as somewhat of a momentum killer for the offensive team. After all, it’s not often that you see a team score three runs on one play!

What is a Triple Play?

A triple play is a play in which three players are put out. It is a rare event in baseball, only happening a few times each season. When it does happen, it’s always a crowd-pleaser. Let’s take a look at some of the most famous triple plays in baseball history.

Types of Triple Plays

A triple play is a rare feat in baseball. It occurs when the defensive team retires three batters during the same play. Triple plays are rare because they usually require perfect execution by the defense and some degree of luck. There have only been 138 triple plays in Major League history.

There are two types of triple plays: the around-the-horn triple play and the unassisted triple play.

The around-the-horn triple play is when the ball is hit to the first baseman, who steps on first base to record the first out. The first baseman then throws the ball to the second baseman, who throws it to the shortstop. The shortstop then throws it back to the first baseman, who catches the ball before the runner from second base can return safely.

The unassisted triple play is even rarer than around-the-horn triple play. It occurs when there is only one out and no runners on base, and the player who records the out does so without help from his teammates. There have only been 15 unassisted triple plays in MLB history.

The Infield Triple Play

In baseball, an infield triple play is the act of three players in the infield playing their positions so flawlessly that three outs are recorded in one continuous play. A triple play is a rare occurrence in baseball; there have only been 152 recorded in Major League history.

The most common type of infield triple play is when the first baseman, second baseman, and shortstop are involved. The first baseman fields a ground ball, steps on first base to record the out, and then throws to the second baseman to record the out at second. The second baseman then throws to the shortstop who completes the play by tagging out the runner at third.

There have been other types of infield triple plays throughout history. One rare type is when the catcher, shortstop, and first baseman are involved. Another involves the second baseman, shortstop, and third baseman.

The record for most infield triple plays in a career is held by Neil Walker who has played in four.

The Outfield Triple Play

In baseball, a triple play (TP) happens when three baserunners are put out at three bases on one play. Triple plays are extremely rare; according to Retrosheet, there have only been 309 in Major League Baseball (MLB) history through the 2018 season. Of those 309, only six have been unassisted: that is, all three outs were made by a single fielder.

The most common type of triple play is the inning-ending line drive double play, where a baserunner is doubled up at first base after a fly ball is caught by an outfielder. These happen often enough that they’re not really considered “triple plays” anymore; they’re just called “double plays”. The next most common type is the around-the-horn triple play, where the ball is thrown around the infield to complete three outs. These are still relatively rare; according to Retrosheet, there have only been 43 in MLB history.

The most rare and exciting type of triple play is the outfield triple play, where all three outs are made by outfielders. This happens even less often than around-the-horn triple plays; according to Retrosheet, there have only been 16 in MLB history. The last one happened on May 7, 2018, when the Houston Astros turned an inning-ending line drive into an unassisted outfield triple play against the Seattle Mariners.

Triple Play History

In baseball, a triple play is rare and often difficult to accomplish. A triple play occurs when the defensive team, during the same continuous play, records three outs. The triple play is considered one of the most exciting plays in baseball. Here, we’ll take a look at the history of the triple play.

Most Triple Plays in a Season

In baseball, a triple play (denoted statistically as TP) is the rarest play. There are only 72 on record in Major League Baseball (MLB) history – accounting for just 0.0002% of all plays.

The most common type of triple play, where the runner is caught stealing, happens when there are no outs and a runner tries to steal second base with a runner on first base. The shortstop or second baseman catches the ball from the catcher, steps on second base to force out the runner from first, then throws to the first baseman to complete the triple play by catching the runner coming from second.

The Chicago Cubs have hit into the most Triple Plays in MLB history with 35.

Most Triple Plays by One Team

The most triple plays turned by any team in a season is 4, accomplished by the 1890 Louisville Colonels and 1912 Detroit Tigers. Three other teams have turned 3 in a season: the 1878 Worcester Ruby Legs, 1889 New York Giants and 2006 Chicago Cubs.

Conclusion

To date, there have been 71 triple plays in Major League Baseball history. The most recent one occurred on August 23, 2019, when the Los Angeles Angels pulled off a 5-4-3 triple play against the Seattle Mariners.