Triple Play Catchers


Since 1876 catchers have started 30 (of the approximately 658) triple plays, 15 of which began with a strikeout. Below is a description of some of those 30 triple plays that were started by a catcher.

Date Teams Description
May 21, 1950 STL-N vs PHI-N

1st inning, two Phillies (Richie Ashburn and Granny Hamner) were on base with Eddie Waitkus facing pitcher Alpha Brazle. With the count three balls and two strikes, Waitkus took a called third strike. Catcher Joe Garagiola whipped the ball to third baseman Tom Glaviano and Ashburn was run down between second and third. Then, shortstop Marty Marion, who made the putout on Ashburn, wheeled and fired to first baseman Stan Musial, nipping Hamner off first. Score it 2-5-6-3 Triple Play. St. Louis pulled off a Triple Play without the batter hitting the ball


April 18, 1966 PIT-N vs CIN-N

7th inning, CIN's Tommy Harper was on 2B and Pete Rose on 1B. Vida Pinson struck out on a 3-2 count, as the runners were attempting a double steal. Catcher Jesse Gonder threw to Bob Bailey at 3B who ran Harper back to 2B. Bailey flipped the ball to Bill Mazeroski who tagged out Harper. Maz then threw to Donn Clendenon at 1B who tagged out Rose returning to 1B. Score it 2-5-4-3 Triple Play. Pittsburgh won the game 4-3.


April 6, 1978 HOU-N vs CIN-N

7th inning, CIN had Joe Morgan on third and George Foster on first. Dan Driessen struck out and Foster was caught stealing second on a throw by catcher Joe Ferguson to Roger Metzger. Morgan tried to score and was thrown out on the return. Score it 2-4-2 Triple Play.


May 29, 1982 MIN-A vs NY-A

2nd inning, NY's Bobby Murcer was on 2B and Craig Nettles on 1B. Roy Smalley III struck out on a 3-2 count, as the runners were advancing. Catcher Sal Butera threw to Gary Gaetti at 3B who ran Murcer back to 2B. However, Nettles was already at second and tried to return to 1B. Gaetti, not pursuing Murcer, threw to Kent Hrbek at 1B who tagged out Nettles. Murcer then tried for 3B again. Hrbek fired across the diamond to Pitcher Terry Felton, who was covering third. Felton tagged out Murcer. Score it 2-5-3-1 Triple Play. New York won the game 6-4.




Sources: SABR Members - Frank Hamilton, Chuck Rosciam, Stew Thornley, Don Mankowski, Dave Smith, Bob Timmermann, Bill Nowlin



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