In baseball, a double play is one of the most exciting plays that can occur on the diamond. It involves two players working together to get two outs in one play, usually resulting in a huge momentum shift for the team. While there are many different double plays that can be executed, some are more rare than others. In this article, we will take a look at some of the rarest double plays in baseball.
The Unassisted Triple Play
The unassisted triple play is the rarest double play in baseball, as it requires a single player to make three outs in one play. This is an incredibly difficult feat to accomplish, as it requires the player to have exceptional defensive skills and timing. In fact, only 15 unassisted triple plays have been recorded in Major League Baseball since the turn of the 20th century. The most recent unassisted triple play occurred in 2009, when Seattle Mariners’ outfielder Franklin Gutierrez turned the trick against the Cleveland Indians.
The Triple Play with a Fly Ball
The triple play with a fly ball is another incredibly rare double play in baseball. This involves a fielder catching a fly ball, tagging a runner who has strayed too far off base, and then throwing to an infielder to get a third out. This type of play is incredibly difficult to pull off, as it requires the fielder to be in the right place at the right time with a strong arm. In fact, only 39 of these plays have been recorded in Major League Baseball since 1889. The most recent instance of a triple play with a fly ball occurred in 2019, when Los Angeles Dodgers’ outfielder Cody Bellinger turned the trick against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Triple Play with a Line Drive
The triple play with a line drive is yet another incredibly rare double play in baseball. This involves a fielder catching a line drive, tagging a runner who has strayed too far off base, and then throwing to an infielder to get a third out. This type of play is even more difficult to pull off than the triple play with a fly ball, as it requires the fielder to have exceptional reaction time and a strong arm. In fact, only 25 of these plays have been recorded in Major League Baseball since 1889. The most recent instance of a triple play with a line drive occurred in 2017, when Houston Astros’ shortstop Carlos Correa turned the trick against the Baltimore Orioles.
The Triple Play with a Bunt
The triple play with a bunt is one of the rarest double plays in baseball. This involves a fielder catching a bunt and then throwing to an infielder to get a runner out, followed by the infielder then throwing to another infielder to get a second runner out. This type of play is incredibly difficult to pull off, as it requires the fielder to be in the right place at the right time and to have exceptional reaction time and a strong arm. In fact, only nine of these plays have been recorded in Major League Baseball since 1889. The most recent instance of a triple play with a bunt occurred in 2011, when St. Louis Cardinals’ shortstop Ryan Theriot turned the trick against the San Diego Padres.
Conclusion
The rarest double play in baseball is undoubtedly the unassisted triple play. This play requires a single player to make three outs in one play, which is an incredibly difficult feat to accomplish. The triple play with a fly ball, a line drive, and a bunt are also incredibly rare, as they require the fielder to have exceptional defensive skills and timing. Understanding these plays can help players and coaches prepare for the unlikely event that one of these plays occurs on the diamond.