Which is more uncommon

[onejayhawk]

The unassisted triple play
3K9 - 9 pitches, 9 strikes, 3 outs

Bonus question, has either occured in World Series play?

J

[SeaDogStat]

Good question, OJH...had to look it up so I won't skew the results but found a link with the 3 outs on 9 strikes...

Spoiler alert in white below: Interesting list...

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/feats/feats17.shtml

[Gregg]

My guess is 3K9.

I would guess unassisted triple play has been done in a WS.

[B-Fly]

Mmm...purple grapefruit...

[Lucky]

I would guess that the 3K9 would be more common than the unassisted triple play. It seems like the number of UTPs is somewhere between 20 and 30, but I'd think 3K9s happen fairly regularly. If not starters, then dominant relievers might pull it off.

I once saw Lee Smith pitch in a AA game, and as best I recall he retired the side on nine pitches, all Ks.

[onejayhawk]

No takers on the WS question?

J

[Gregg]

No takers on the WS question?

J

Look at post #3.

[onejayhawk]

An unassisted triple play was instrumental in getting the World Series back in the public graces after the Black Sox scandal of 1919. Cleveland beat Brooklyn in 1920, 5 games to 2 (best of 9). Game 5 was landmark, having the first Grand slam in WS history and Bill Wambsganss unassisted triple play.

The 3K9 I watched. I suspect Kevin Seitzer was also. Danny Jackson was totally dominating with the Royals down 3 games to 1. Here is the play by play.

Bottom of the 7th, Cardinals Batting, Behind 1-4, Royals' Danny Jackson facing 7-8-9
b7 1-4 0 --- 3,(0-2) FCS O STL T. Pendleton D. Jackson 2% 92% Strikeout Swinging
b7 1-4 1 --- 3,(0-2) LFC O STL T. Nieto D. Jackson 2% 93% Strikeout Looking
Brian Harper pinch hits for Todd Worrell (P) batting 9th

b7 1-4 2 --- 3,(0-2) FFS O STL B. Harper D. Jackson 1% 94% Strikeout Swinging
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. Royals 4, Cardinals 1.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SLN/SLN198510240.shtml

J