Triple (baseball)
Encyclopedia
In baseball
, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base
after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay (see error) nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice
.
Because a hit only counts as a triple without a fielding error or a fielder's choice
, triples have become somewhat rare in Major League Baseball
. It often requires a hit to an unoccupied part of the ballpark (as in an opposite-field hit) or the ball taking an unusual bounce in the outfield
. It also requires that the batter be able to hit the ball solidly but also that he be able to run quickly. This combination of power and speed is rare, and combined with the trend for modern ballparks to have smaller outfields (to increase the number of home run
s hit), it has ensured that the career and season triples leaders mostly consist of players who played earlier in the sport's history.
Because the hit is so rare, a triple is considered one of the most exciting plays in baseball. It is also an essential element in the achievement of hitting for the cycle
.
Triples were much more common in the dead-ball era
of baseball.
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base
Third Base
is a 1978 Japanese film directed by Yōichi Higashi.-External links:...
after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay (see error) nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice
Fielder's choice
In baseball, fielder's choice is a term used to refer to a variety of plays involving an offensive player reaching a base due to the defense's attempt to put out another baserunner, or the defensive team's indifference to his advance...
.
Because a hit only counts as a triple without a fielding error or a fielder's choice
Fielder's choice
In baseball, fielder's choice is a term used to refer to a variety of plays involving an offensive player reaching a base due to the defense's attempt to put out another baserunner, or the defensive team's indifference to his advance...
, triples have become somewhat rare in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. It often requires a hit to an unoccupied part of the ballpark (as in an opposite-field hit) or the ball taking an unusual bounce in the outfield
Outfield
The outfield is a sporting term used in cricket and baseball to refer to the area of the field of play further from the batsman or batter than the infield...
. It also requires that the batter be able to hit the ball solidly but also that he be able to run quickly. This combination of power and speed is rare, and combined with the trend for modern ballparks to have smaller outfields (to increase the number of home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s hit), it has ensured that the career and season triples leaders mostly consist of players who played earlier in the sport's history.
Because the hit is so rare, a triple is considered one of the most exciting plays in baseball. It is also an essential element in the achievement of hitting for the cycle
Hitting for the cycle
In baseball, hitting for the cycle is the accomplishment of one batter hitting a single, a double, a triple, and a home run in the same game. Collecting the hits in that order is known as a "natural cycle". Cycles are uncommon in Major League Baseball , occurring 293 times since the first by Curry...
.
Triples were much more common in the dead-ball era
Dead-ball era
The dead-ball era is a baseball term used to describe the period between 1900 and the emergence of Babe Ruth as a power hitter in 1919. In 1919, Ruth hit a then league record 29 home runs, a spectacular feat at that time.This era was characterized by low-scoring games and a lack of home runs...
of baseball.
Career
- Sam CrawfordSam CrawfordSamuel Earl Crawford , nicknamed "Wahoo Sam", was a Major League Baseball player who played outfield for the Cincinnati Reds and Detroit Tigers. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1957....
(Played from 1899 to 1917) - 309 - Ty CobbTy CobbTyrus Raymond "Ty" Cobb , nicknamed "The Georgia Peach," was an American Major League Baseball outfielder. He was born in Narrows, Georgia...
(1905 - 1928) - 295 - Honus WagnerHonus Wagner-Louisville Colonels:Recognizing his talent, Barrow recommended Wagner to the Louisville Colonels. After some hesitation about his awkward figure, Wagner was signed by the Colonels, where he hit .338 in 61 games....
(1897 - 1917) - 252 - Jake BeckleyJake BeckleyJacob Peter Beckley , nicknamed "Eagle Eye", was a Major League Baseball player at the turn of the 20th century. He was born in Hannibal, Missouri.-Professional career:...
(1888 - 1907) - 243 - Roger ConnorRoger ConnorRoger Connor was a 19th century Major League Baseball player, born in Waterbury, Connecticut. Known for being the player whom Babe Ruth succeeded as the all-time home run champion, Connor hit 138 home runs during his 18-year career, and his career home run record stood for 23 years after his...
(1880 - 1897) - 233 - Tris SpeakerTris SpeakerTristram E. Speaker , nicknamed "Spoke" and "The Grey Eagle", was an American baseball player. Considered one of the best offensive and defensive center fielders in the history of Major League Baseball, he compiled a career batting average of .345 , and still holds the record of 792 career doubles...
(1907 - 1928) - 222 - Fred ClarkeFred ClarkeFred Clifford Clarke was a Major League Baseball player from 1894 to and manager from 1897 to 1915. A Hall of Famer, Clarke played for and managed both the Louisville Colonels and Pittsburgh Pirates. He was a left fielder and left-handed batter.Of the nine pennants in Pittsburgh franchise...
(1894 - 1915) - 220 - Dan BrouthersDan BrouthersDennis Joseph "Dan" Brouthers was an American first baseman in Major League Baseball whose career spanned the period from to , with a brief return in...
(1879 - 1904) - 205 - Joe KelleyJoe KelleyJoseph James Kelley was an American left fielder in Major League Baseball who starred in the outfield of the powerful Baltimore Oriole teams of the 1890s.-Career:...
(1891 - 1908) - 194 - Paul WanerPaul WanerPaul Glee Waner , nicknamed "Big Poison", was a German-American Major League Baseball right fielder.-Pittsburgh Pirates:...
(1926 - 1945) - 191
Season
- 1. Chief WilsonChief WilsonJohn Owen "Chief" Wilson was a Major League Baseball player for the Pittsburgh Pirates and the St. Louis Cardinals .Born in Austin, Texas, Wilson was an outfielder with a strong throwing arm...
(19121912 in baseball-Champions:*World Series: Boston Red Sox over New York Giants -Awards and honors:*Chalmers Award**Tris Speaker, Boston Red Sox, OF** Larry Doyle, New York Giants, 2B-MLB statistical leaders:-American League final standings:...
) - 36 - 2. Dave OrrDave OrrDavid L. Orr was a first baseman in Major League Baseball from 1883 through 1890.-Baseball career:Orr played most of his career in the American Association for the New York Metropolitans , Brooklyn Bridegrooms and Columbus Solons...
(18861886 in baseball-Champions:* World Series St. Louis Browns 4, Chicago White Stockings 2*National League: Chicago White Stockings*American Association: St. Louis Browns-National League final standings:-American Association final standings:...
) - 31 - 2. Heinie Reitz (18941894 in baseball-Champions:*Temple Cup: New York Giants defeated Baltimore Orioles, 4 games to 0*National League: Baltimore Orioles-National League final standings:-Events:...
) - 31 - 4. Perry WerdenPerry WerdenPercival Wheritt Werden born in St. Louis, Missouri was a First Baseman for the St. Louis Maroons , Washington Nationals , Toledo Maumees , Baltimore Orioles , St...
(18931893 in baseball-National League final standings:-Events:*August 16 – Bill Hawke of the Baltimore Orioles pitches a no-hitter against the Washington Senators in a 5–0 win. It is the first no-hitter thrown from the modern-day pitching distance of 60'6"....
) - 29 - 5. Harry Davis (18971897 in baseball-Champions:*Temple Cup: Baltimore Orioles defeated Boston Beaneaters, 4 games to 1*National League: Boston Beaneaters-Statistical leaders:*Batting: Willie Keeler .424*Home Runs: Hugh Duffy 11*Wins: Kid Nichols 31*ERA: Amos Rusie 2.54...
) - 28 - 5. Jimmy WilliamsJimmy Williams (second baseman)James Thomas Williams was a second baseman in Major League Baseball from 1899 to 1909. He played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Baltimore Orioles, New York Highlanders, and St. Louis Browns. The power-hitting Williams set several records during his rookie season and led a major league in triples...
(18991899 in baseball-National League final standings:-Events:*May 15 - Willie Keeler, known as one of the smallest players and best bunters in baseball, drives the ball past startled left fielder Ed Delahanty of the Philadelphia Phillies for an inside-the-park grand slam and an 8–5 victory for the Brooklyn...
) - 28 - 7. George Davis (18931893 in baseball-National League final standings:-Events:*August 16 – Bill Hawke of the Baltimore Orioles pitches a no-hitter against the Washington Senators in a 5–0 win. It is the first no-hitter thrown from the modern-day pitching distance of 60'6"....
) - 27 - 7. Sam ThompsonSam ThompsonSamuel Luther Thompson was a 19th century Major League Baseball player. "Big Sam" was known for his offensive production and was second on the career home runs list at the time of his retirement...
(18941894 in baseball-Champions:*Temple Cup: New York Giants defeated Baltimore Orioles, 4 games to 0*National League: Baltimore Orioles-National League final standings:-Events:...
) - 27 - 9. Sam CrawfordSam CrawfordSamuel Earl Crawford , nicknamed "Wahoo Sam", was a Major League Baseball player who played outfield for the Cincinnati Reds and Detroit Tigers. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1957....
(19141914 in baseball-Champions:*World Series: Boston Braves over Philadelphia Athletics -Awards and honors:*Chalmers Award** Eddie Collins, Philadelphia Athletics, 2B** Johnny Evers, Boston Braves, 2B-MLB statistical leaders:-American League final standings:...
) - 26 - 9. Kiki CuylerKiki CuylerHazen Shirley "Kiki" Cuyler was a Major League Baseball right fielder from 1921 until 1938. He was born in Harrisville, Michigan.Cuyler broke into the big leagues in 1921 with the Pittsburgh Pirates and became a fixture in the lineup in 1924...
(19251925 in baseball-Champions:*World Series: Pittsburgh Pirates over Washington Senators *Negro League World Series: Hilldale Daisies over Kansas City Monarchs -Awards and honors:*League Award** Roger Peckinpaugh, Washington Senators, SS** Rogers Hornsby, St...
) - 26 - 9. Joe JacksonShoeless Joe JacksonJoseph Jefferson Jackson , nicknamed "Shoeless Joe", was an American baseball player who played Major League Baseball in the early part of the 20th century...
(19121912 in baseball-Champions:*World Series: Boston Red Sox over New York Giants -Awards and honors:*Chalmers Award**Tris Speaker, Boston Red Sox, OF** Larry Doyle, New York Giants, 2B-MLB statistical leaders:-American League final standings:...
) - 26 - 9. John Reilly (18901890 in baseball-Champions:*World Series: Brooklyn Bridegrooms 3, Louisville Colonels 3, 1 tie*National League: Brooklyn Bridegrooms*American Association: Louisville Colonels*Players' League: Boston RedsInter-league playoff: Brooklyn declined challenge by Boston...
) - 26 - 9. George TreadwayGeorge TreadwayGeorge B. Treadway was a baseball player in the National League from 1893 to 1896. He played for the Baltimore Orioles for 1 season, the Brooklyn Grooms for 2 seasons, and finished off his career with 2 games for the Louisville Colonels. He was a lifetime .284 hitter, with 12 home runs and 224 RBI...
(18941894 in baseball-Champions:*Temple Cup: New York Giants defeated Baltimore Orioles, 4 games to 0*National League: Baltimore Orioles-National League final standings:-Events:...
) - 26