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Associated PressThe Braves shortstop's unassisted triple play is about a once-in-a-decade accomplishment.
ST. LOUIS - Rafael Furcal has joined one of baseball's ultra-exclusive clubs.
The Braves shortstop turned the 12th unassisted triple play in modern history Sunday night, a feat so rare the game once went 41 years without one.
"It was a big play at the time because the game was 1-1," Furcal said. "I thought the play had a real flow. I thought we would have momentum after that."
On a 1-and-1 count, manager Tony La Russa removed the bunt sign and gave Cardinals pitcher Woody Williams, who's batting .250 with seven RBIs, the green light with runners on first and second and nobody out in the fifth. He started the runners in an attempt to avoid a double play.
"I thought it was the play to make, but that's one of the risks, a ball on a line in the infield," La Russa said. "It's a bad memory, so I don't really think about it much."
Furcal leaped to snare Williams' liner, stepped on second to double up Mike Matheny and tagged out Orlando Palmeiro as he tried to get back to first.
It was the first unassisted triple play in the majors since Oakland second baseman Randy Velarde did it against the Yankees on May 29, 2000.
Tigers first baseman Johnny Neun made one in 1927, but there wasn't another until Washington Senators shortstop Ron Hansen did it in 1968. Another 14 years passed before Phillies second baseman Mickey Morandini joined the club.