YEAR: 1909
SIGNIFICANCE: The 1st unassisted triple play to ever unfold in MLB history
The MLB was established in 1892, meaning that there are 127 seasons in recorded baseball history. Meanwhile, there have only been 719 triple plays to ever happen, an average of just five per campaign. On this day 111 years ago, the Cleveland Naps carried out something even more infrequent, the unassisted triple play. SS Neal Ball managed to retire all three outs of an inning in one play by himself, becoming the first defender ever to do so. The rarity acted as Cleveland’s good luck charm, helping Cy Young and the Naps top the Red Sox 6-1.