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Monday, May 12, 2008

SportTicker: Indians turn triple play

Cleveland Indians second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera turned an unassisted triple play in the fifth inning of Monday’s second game of a doubleheader against the Toronto Blue Jays.

After Kevin Mench and Marco Scutaro began the inning with singles, Lyle Overbay lined out to Cabrera near second base.

Cabrera alertly tagged Scutaro, who was running toward second base, before stepping on the bag before Mench was able to return to complete the triple play.

NTNgod Posted: May 12, 2008 at 11:42 PM | 26 comment(s) | Login to Bookmark
Related News: General, Cleveland, Toronto

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1. Greg Maddux School of Reflexive Profanity Posted: May 12, 2008 at 11:50 PM (#2778324)

Gameday has the video.

2. Greg Maddux School of Reflexive Profanity Posted: May 12, 2008 at 11:52 PM (#2778336)

Of the 13 times it's happened, the Indians have turned three and had three turned against them.

3. pyrite Posted: May 13, 2008 at 12:03 AM (#2778372)

As if Cliff Lee needed more to go right for him this year.

Speaking of Lee (and his 0.71 ERA...), is MGL still taking bets on Lee ending up a below-average pitcher this year? I'm interested in taking the under.

4. Morally Excellent Posted: May 13, 2008 at 12:09 AM (#2778392)

I'm really not sure what is supposed to be so amazing or interesting about the unassisted triple play. It has nothing to do with fielding skill.

5. Tony H. Posted: May 13, 2008 at 12:20 AM (#2778415)

I'm really not sure what is supposed to be so amazing or interesting about the unassisted triple play. It has nothing to do with fielding skill.

The fact that it is a very rare yet significant play?

And I would argue Cabrera's catch required some fielding skill. I mean, it wasn't the greatest grab ever or anything, but it was a nice little play.

6. Dan Posted: May 13, 2008 at 12:20 AM (#2778417)

This one did; he made a diving catch.

7. TVerik, AKA Snoopy Snoopy Poop Dog Posted: May 13, 2008 at 12:21 AM (#2778420)

For the same reason that hitting for the cycle is notable outside of the "four hits in a game" way.

More broadly, what did Ray Chapman do? I coulda done that.

8. Morally Excellent Posted: May 13, 2008 at 12:23 AM (#2778428)

The fact that it is a very rare yet significant play?

I guess. But I remember when Furcal turned his and some members of the media called it the "play of the year" or whatever. That is just odd to me. It was merely right place, right time for Furcal.

For the same reason that hitting for the cycle is notable outside of the "four hits in a game" way.

Exactly.

I frankly couldn't care less if a guy "hits for the cycle" but I guess different people are interested in different things...

9. Vegas Watch

Posted: May 13, 2008 at 12:29 AM (#2778444)

My favorite part was that right after he steps on second he realizes what is going on, and excitedly makes the tag for the third out.

Much more exciting when you're watching it live than when you see a replay and know what's coming.

10. J. Lowenstein Apathy Club Posted: May 13, 2008 at 12:46 AM (#2778472)

I am sick and tired of these grammatically wayward headlines. "Indian turns triple play", please!

11. J. Lowenstein Apathy Club Posted: May 13, 2008 at 12:48 AM (#2778482)

More broadly, what did Ray Chapman do? I coulda done that.

It's easy when you play the Ron Stilanovich way!

12. phredbird

Posted: May 13, 2008 at 01:43 AM (#2778588)

More broadly, what did Ray Chapman do? I coulda done that.

are you referring to the only unassisted triple play in WS history? if so, that was turned by bill wambsganss

13. walt williams bobblehead Posted: May 13, 2008 at 01:53 AM (#2778596)

If Ray Chapman had turned a triple play in the 1920 World Series, that would have been truly impressive.

I don't think that is what TVErik meant.

14. Kirby Kyle Posted: May 13, 2008 at 01:54 AM (#2778597)

I liked how the ump, also realizing he was part of history, delivered each pump of his arm with increasing force, then coolly walked away.

Whoever the color man is on the broadcast, he called the TP before the ball was in Cabrera's glove.

15. pthomas Posted: May 13, 2008 at 02:09 AM (#2778605)

Bill Wambsganss was the second baseman for the Cleveland Indians in 1920. In Game 5 of the World Serious that year, he turned an unassisted triple play in the fifth inning.

He was quoted in the classic baseball book, "The Glory of Their Times":

"I played in the big leagues for 13 years, from 1914 to 1926, and the only thing people remember is that I turned an unassisted triple play in the World Series......You'd think I was born the day before and died the day after."

That Serious game is famous for two other firsts: the first grand slam in Serious history, and the first home run by a pitcher.

16. Random Transaction Generator Posted: May 13, 2008 at 03:20 AM (#2778633)

That Serious game is famous for two other firsts: the first grand slam in Serious history, and the first home run by a pitcher.

Seriously?!

17. Tony H. Posted: May 13, 2008 at 04:43 AM (#2778666)

Whoever the color man is on the broadcast, he called the TP before the ball was in Cabrera's glove.

That would be Rick Manning, the bestest of all the color men in the business. Well, maybe not the best, but he is very good, IMO. Just don't ask him about Dennis Eckersley.

18. Hello Rusty Kuntz, Goodbye Rusty Cars Posted: May 13, 2008 at 05:42 AM (#2778679)

I may have been able to do what Wambsganss did, but I'm not sure. Like TVerik, I could have done what Chapman did.

19. Phil Coorey, You Won't Posted: May 13, 2008 at 08:42 AM (#2778692)

The good old hit and run contributed as well. When it rains it seems to pour for Toronto...

20. Joe Bivens, Schmoo from Massachoosetts Posted: May 13, 2008 at 09:07 AM (#2778694)

I turned one in 1990. Playing third, bases loaded. Line drive to my left. Runner off third doubled up. Runner on second thought line drive was a trap (he should post here) ran into the tag out at third.

I spiked the ball and ran off the field laughing. Good times. But it wasn't a great play. I had help from the baserunners.

21. villageidiom Posted: May 13, 2008 at 10:34 AM (#2778700)

Crash Davis Posted: May 13, 2008 at 07:35 AM (#2345678)

Unassisted triple plays are are boring. Besides that, they're fascist. Throw the ball around; it's more democratic.

22. Rusty Priske Posted: May 13, 2008 at 11:35 AM (#2778717)

I was unaware there had been a triple play in the World Series. I thought the Jays triple play would have been the first one of the umpire had his head anywhere other than in his ass.

23. Slinger Francisco Barrios (Dr. Memory) Posted: May 13, 2008 at 12:25 PM (#2778748)

"Asdrubal Wambsganss" would be a really cool name.

24. Petooter: 11'6" 355 lbs of scrap and grit Posted: May 13, 2008 at 02:43 PM (#2778864)

Can't decide whether to post this as a new article, but Cabrera threw the ball into the stands while he was running off the field after the play. Pretty darn funny. The MLB.com article (the one I linked is AP) actually makes a pun about the play having been a "memory worth keeping" or something.

25. phredbird

Posted: May 13, 2008 at 03:14 PM (#2778901)

If Ray Chapman had turned a triple play in the 1920 World Series, that would have been truly impressive.

I don't think that is what TVErik meant

.

i guess i'm dense. what did he mean? i know chapman died that season from being hit with a pitched ball.

26. Boots Day Posted: May 13, 2008 at 03:30 PM (#2778915)

I think it's cool that the only triple play in World Series history was of the unassisted variety. Just like the only no-hitter in World Series history is of the perfect-game variety.

You gotta step up your game in October.

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SportTicker: Indians turn triple play

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