On August 18th, 1902, The first unassisted triple play ever in a professional game was executed by first baseman Hal O’Hagan, of the Rochester Bronchos (Eastern League) against Jersey City.

There have been only 15 Unassisted Triple plays in the history of Major League Baseball:

• Eric Bruntlett, Phillies second baseman, Aug. 23, 2009, ninth inning
• Asdrúbal Cabrera, Cleveland second baseman, May 12, 2008, fifth inning
• Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies shortstop, April 29, 2007, seventh inning
• Rafael Furcal, Braves shortstop, Aug. 10, 2003, fifth inning
• Randy Velarde, Athletics second baseman, May 29, 2000, sixth inning
• John Valentin, Red Sox shortstop, July 8, 1994, sixth inning
• Mickey Morandini, Phillies second baseman, Sept. 20, 1992, sixth inning
• Ron Hansen, Senators shortstop, July 30, 1968, first inning
• Johnny Neun, Tigers first baseman, May 31, 1927, ninth inning
• Jimmy Cooney, Cubs shortstop, May 30, 1927, fourth inning
• Glenn Wright, Pirates shortstop,, May 7, 1925, ninth inning
• Ernie Padgett, Braves shortstop, Oct. 6, 1923, fourth inning
• George Burns, Red Sox first baseman, Sept. 14, 1923, second inning
• Bill Wambsganss, Cleveland second baseman, Oct. 10, 1920, fifth inning (Game 5 of World Series)
• Neal Ball, Naps shortstop, July 19, 1909, second inning

The most famous of these rare events, of course, is the one Wabbsganss pulled of during the 1920 World Series.

In Lawrence Ritter’s great book of baseball interview, The Glory of Their Times, Wambsganss said this about that unassisted triple play.

“Funny thing, I played in the big leagues for 13 years, 1914 through 1926, and the only thing that anybody seems to remember is that once I made an unassisted triple play in a World Series. Many don’t even remember the team I was on, or the position I played, or anything. Just Wambsganss-unassisted triple play! You’d think I was born on the day before and died on the day after.”

So, in fairness to Wambsganns, here are a few more numbers about his career:

• Led the league in Sacrifice Hits twice (43 in 1921, 42 in 1922)
• Led the league in Games Played and Plate Appearance in 1924
• Finished in the Top 25 in League MVP voting in 1922