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There was a rarity in Cleveland last night as Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera turned an unassisted triple play against Toronto. Just how rare was it…well the last triple play that was turned in the American League was back in 2000 when A’s second baseman Randy Velarde turned the trick. Colorado shortstop Tony Tulowitzki (who is really struggling this year by the way) completed a triple play against Atlanta on April 29, 2007. There have only been three recorded triple plays by Cleveland Indians storied past and both occurred a long, long time ago. The first was in 1909 when Indians shortstop Neal Ball made the first one in history of professional baseball. The second occurred 11 years later in 1920 when Cleveland second baseman Bill Wambsganss turned the only one ever in the World Series. This one was in Game 5 against Brooklyn.  To make his night complete, participated in two double plays and hit a two-run homer in Cleveland’s 3-0 shutout of Toronto.

 How did Cabrera pull off the triple play?  It started with a brilliant backhand stab of a hard liner by Lyle Overbay. Cabrera then touched second base to force Kevin Mench and tag Marco Scutaro who was running from first. One, two, three…that’s all she wrote, folks!

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