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Every time you go to the stadium, you might see something you’ve never seen before. And that was the case Monday at Guaranteed Rate Field, where fans saw the first triple play 8-5 in MLB history. The Minnesota Twins converted the first triple of their kind against the Chicago White Sox (GameTracker), although it would be more accurate to say that the White Sox found the triple play.
Here is the video. AJ Pollock lifted a well-hit ball with runners up first and second to Byron Buxton in midfield, and Yoan Moncada and Adam Engel had some mental lapse at the bases after the catch.
While triple play is the headliner, you should take a moment to appreciate Buxton’s capture. It was not an easy play. Statcast says Pollock’s unit had an 82% chance of impact depending on the launch angle and exit speed. Buxton is so good in midfield.
MLB.com and the SABR database confirm that it is indeed the first 8-5 triple play in baseball history. According to my unofficial count, this is the 27th triple that a center fielder starts and the first since former New York Mets center fielder Angel Pagan started an 8-2-6-3 triple with a reduced catch against Washington Nationals in 2010..
The Twins have been in the habit of making triple plays in recent years. Monday was the fourth since 2019. No team has more. The White Sox, meanwhile, have played triples in consecutive seasons after failing to hit any between 2011 and 2020.
This is the third triple play this season. The Texas Rangers made a 3-3-6 triple play against the Seattle Mariners on April 20 and the Nationals made a 5-4-3 triple play against the Milwaukee Brewers on May 20.