Ron Hansen---1961
On This Date in Major League
History, July 30, 1968…
What looked to be just another game on
July 30, 1968; turned into a three-out thrill for
Washington Senators shortstop Ron Hansen.
With just 6,000 fans in the cavernous
Cleveland Stadium, Hansen turned an
unassisted triple play against the Cleveland
Indians in the first inning.
Chance has it that I am actually scouting in
the minor leagues this week and Hansen
(a pro scout with the Phillies) is sitting next to
me. With the anniversary of his unassisted
triple play today (the eighth in Major League
Baseball history); I had to ask him the details
of the play.
After the Senators were retired in order to
begin the game; Washington hurler Bruce
Howard allowed a leadoff single to Indians
second baseman Dave Nelson. Howard then
walked Russ Snyder to put Tribe runners at
first and second.
Indians catcher Joe Azcue followed with a low
liner up the middle. Hansen snared the drive
and stepped on second base to double-off
Nelson. While his instinct was to throw to first
base, Hansen recalls that his momentum took
him across second base and into the path the
speedy Snyder who was just four or five steps
away from the bag. Snyder attempted to
retrace his steps, but Hansen was just on top
of him with a tag for the third out.
Hansen would go 0-for-4 in the game, fanning
in each at bat, as the last place Senators fell
to the Tribe, 10-1… but the triple play was a
thrill of a lifetime.
The former shortstop said that everything
happened so fast, it was all instincts, since
you really can’t think about the play. He noted
that the ball and glove he used for his the
three-way killing is at the Hall of Fame. And
amazingly, he was scouting in Cleveland this
summer when the Indians’ Asdrubal Cabrera
turned the most recent unassisted triple play
on May 12, 2008.
Yet, the glory didn’t last too long in
Washington, as Hansen was traded back to
the White Sox two days later--- for the same
player, Tim Cullen, that brought him to
Washington to begin the ’68 season.
However, since it was the first unassisted
triple play in 41 seasons and wasn’t repeated
for another 22 years; Hansen has enjoyed
recounting the event. In fact, a good portion
of his anniversary day will be handling ten or
so telephone interviews.
Though far from a household name, Hansen
really did enjoy a nice career. After going
0-for-23 during the 1958 and ’59 seasons to
begin his career while he battled back
problems; a healthy Hansen hit .255 with 22
long balls and 86 ribbies as the Orioles
starting shortstop in 1960. Known for his slick
fielding, Hansen’s offensive outburst during
his rookie campaign garnered him Rookie of
the Year Honors and a call to both All-Star
Games (going 3-for-6) that season.
During a decade where shortstops often had
a difficult time hitting their weight, Hansen
brought power to the middle of the diamond
for a club. He was the first "BIG" shortstop in
the game. The right-handed swinger would
also hit 20 home runs for the White Sox in ’
64. At the close of his 15-year career,
Hansen had 106 long balls and a .234
average to his credit.
While his ’61 card (#240) has a listed value of
$3.00; having met Hansen, heard his story of
the triple play and shared a couple of ball
games with a such good person--- it has
much more value to me.
(7/30/08)
History, July 30, 1968…
What looked to be just another game on
July 30, 1968; turned into a three-out thrill for
Washington Senators shortstop Ron Hansen.
With just 6,000 fans in the cavernous
Cleveland Stadium, Hansen turned an
unassisted triple play against the Cleveland
Indians in the first inning.
Chance has it that I am actually scouting in
the minor leagues this week and Hansen
(a pro scout with the Phillies) is sitting next to
me. With the anniversary of his unassisted
triple play today (the eighth in Major League
Baseball history); I had to ask him the details
of the play.
After the Senators were retired in order to
begin the game; Washington hurler Bruce
Howard allowed a leadoff single to Indians
second baseman Dave Nelson. Howard then
walked Russ Snyder to put Tribe runners at
first and second.
Indians catcher Joe Azcue followed with a low
liner up the middle. Hansen snared the drive
and stepped on second base to double-off
Nelson. While his instinct was to throw to first
base, Hansen recalls that his momentum took
him across second base and into the path the
speedy Snyder who was just four or five steps
away from the bag. Snyder attempted to
retrace his steps, but Hansen was just on top
of him with a tag for the third out.
Hansen would go 0-for-4 in the game, fanning
in each at bat, as the last place Senators fell
to the Tribe, 10-1… but the triple play was a
thrill of a lifetime.
The former shortstop said that everything
happened so fast, it was all instincts, since
you really can’t think about the play. He noted
that the ball and glove he used for his the
three-way killing is at the Hall of Fame. And
amazingly, he was scouting in Cleveland this
summer when the Indians’ Asdrubal Cabrera
turned the most recent unassisted triple play
on May 12, 2008.
Yet, the glory didn’t last too long in
Washington, as Hansen was traded back to
the White Sox two days later--- for the same
player, Tim Cullen, that brought him to
Washington to begin the ’68 season.
However, since it was the first unassisted
triple play in 41 seasons and wasn’t repeated
for another 22 years; Hansen has enjoyed
recounting the event. In fact, a good portion
of his anniversary day will be handling ten or
so telephone interviews.
Though far from a household name, Hansen
really did enjoy a nice career. After going
0-for-23 during the 1958 and ’59 seasons to
begin his career while he battled back
problems; a healthy Hansen hit .255 with 22
long balls and 86 ribbies as the Orioles
starting shortstop in 1960. Known for his slick
fielding, Hansen’s offensive outburst during
his rookie campaign garnered him Rookie of
the Year Honors and a call to both All-Star
Games (going 3-for-6) that season.
During a decade where shortstops often had
a difficult time hitting their weight, Hansen
brought power to the middle of the diamond
for a club. He was the first "BIG" shortstop in
the game. The right-handed swinger would
also hit 20 home runs for the White Sox in ’
64. At the close of his 15-year career,
Hansen had 106 long balls and a .234
average to his credit.
While his ’61 card (#240) has a listed value of
$3.00; having met Hansen, heard his story of
the triple play and shared a couple of ball
games with a such good person--- it has
much more value to me.
(7/30/08)
