What is a triple play in baseball? Memorable plays and everything to know about rare MLB feat

When you think of a momentum-changing play in baseball, what comes to mind. A grand slam? A home run robbery? Perhaps a strikeout with the bases loaded?

While rarer than all three of those moments, the triple play might be just as impactful.

By definition, a triple play starts with at least two runners on base and no one out and always ends the inning, killing a potential rally in an instant.

Here's a complete guide to the triple play and how often it happens at the MLB level.

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What is a triple play in baseball?

A triple play is exactly what it sounds like: any play that results in three outs. In the vast majority of cases, a triple play takes place entirely in the infield, with questionable baserunning sometimes a contributing factor. 

A triple play can only happen with at least two runners on base and no outs in the inning. Aside from the skill level required to pull it off, that is one reason why the play is so rare. 

Here are some of the most notable types of triple plays.

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Different types of triple plays

The simplest triple play occurs when a ball is hit to the third baseman with runners on first and second base (with no one out, of course). The third baseman can then step on third for the force out and throw to second base for another force out, with the second baseman then throwing to first base for the third out. This is a 5-4-3 triple play. Even that scenario requires some excellent fielding, as the entire operation has to be executed in time to get the runner at first. If the player who hit the ball is speedy, pulling it off might be difficult.

Another common triple play is a 4-6-3 triple play, which requires a second baseman to catch the ball on the fly for one out and toss to the shortstop for the force out at second baseman, followed by the shortstop throwing to first for the third out. That scenario typically occurs when the runners take off running before the ball is hit. 

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A triple play doesn't need to involve three fielders. In 2025, a triple play by the Angels saw SS Zach Neto catch a line drive, step on second base himself for the second out and throw to first base for the third out, making it a simple 6-3 triple play.

One of the rarest triple plays is the unassisted triple play, in which one fielder records all three outs. That typically requires the ball to be lined to a middle infielder and caught in the air, with the infielder stepping on second base for a force out and tagging the runner coming from first base as well. There have only been 15 unassisted triple plays in MLB history, a fraction of the total number.

Here's the data on how rare a triple play actually is.

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How rare is a triple play in MLB?

There have been 740 triple plays in MLB history, according to Baseball Almanac. Since 2000, the league average is 3.7 per season. 

A scenario that allows for a triple play is rare in itself. A triple play requires at least two runners on base and no outs, which occurs far less frequently than the scenario required for a double play: at least one baserunner and no more than one out. 

Triple plays were more common in earlier eras of baseball, during which the ball was put in play more often and runners tended to be slower. 

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When was the last triple play in MLB?

The most recent triple play was executed by the Angels on Aug. 12, 2025 against the Dodgers.

Shohei Ohtani lined a ball to Angels SS Zach Neto, who was perfectly positioned to step on second base for the force out. Neto then threw to 1B Nolan Schanuel, who was able to deliver a forceful tag to Dodgers C Dalton Rushing. The play was a terrific piece of fielding by Neto, but Rushing's eagerness to take off running also contributed to the outcome.

THE @ANGELS TURN A TRIPLE PLAY! pic.twitter.com/QImHsg9T7T

— MLB (@MLB) August 13, 2025

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Most memorable triple plays in MLB

Perhaps the most famous triple play was executed by Cleveland's Bill Wambsganss, who managed to turn an unassisted triple play in the 1920 World Series. While that wasn't captured on video, these were:

The Twins turned two triple plays in one game against the Red Sox in 1990, stunning Boston with an improbable feat.

The most recent unassisted triple play belongs to Eric Bruntlett, who ended a Mets rally in 2009 and sealed a win for the Phillies.

Not every triple play is conventional. This wild play by the Yankees was scored a 4-6-5-6-5-3-4 triple play.

The Padres clinched a postseason berth with a game-ending triple play against the Dodgers in 2024, though L.A. would get the last laugh in October.

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Which team has turned the most triple plays in MLB?

Every team has recorded at least one triple play in its history, but teams that have existed longer have a natural advantage — not only because of longevity, but because triple plays were more common when the ball was put in play more often and runners were slower.

The Braves, Cubs and Pirates each have turned 41 triple plays in their long history, including when the franchises played under different names.

Here's the full list of triple plays by MLB team:

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