As baseball fans, we know The Twilight Zone can occasionally visit a game. The unexpected seems to always be just around the corner as one team will emerge victorious. But it’s the excitement of watching your favorite team and not knowing how things will unfold that makes baseball such an interesting sport.
Then there are feats that defy all odds. These amazing accomplishments add an element of excitement to the game as we watch our favorite players dazzle and shine as we enjoy their amazing performances.
From the strategic brilliance of a triple steal to the mesmerizing feat of an unassisted triple play, each rare event showcased here represents a moment when the ordinary transforms into the exceptional…and at times even the surreal. These are achievements that will leave you impressed, amazed, or even stunned.
So the next time you find yourself at a baseball game or watching from the comfort of your home, keep an eye out for these rare plays—moments that remind us why baseball is more than just a game; it’s a theater of extraordinary possibilities.
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1. Unassisted Triple Play
One of the rarest feats in baseball, the unassisted triple play occurs when a single fielder makes all three outs in a single play. It’s a moment that requires not only exceptional fielding skills but also keen situational awareness. Since 1876, and as of February 2024, there have been 735 triple plays. Of these, only 15 have been unassisted, which shows you just how rare this play is.
2. Perfect Game
A perfect game is achieved when a pitcher retires every batter faced without allowing any opposing player to reach base. This extraordinary accomplishment is a testament to the pitcher’s skill, precision, and composure under pressure. In 154 years of Major League Baseball history, there have been only 24 perfect games pitched.
3. Four Strikeouts in One Inning
Witnessing a pitcher record four strikeouts in a single inning is a rare and remarkable event. This can occur when a batter reaches first base on a dropped third strike, giving the pitcher an opportunity to secure an additional strikeout in the same inning.
4. Inside-the-Park Grand Slam
An inside-the-park grand slam involves a batter hitting a home run and successfully circling the bases while the opposing team commits errors or struggles to field the ball. It adds an extra layer of excitement to an already thrilling play. As of the start of the 2024 season, there have been only 224 inside-the-park grand slams hit in Major League Baseball.
5. Hitting for the Natural Cycle (single, double, triple, and home run in order)
Hitting for the cycle in baseball refers to a player hitting a single, double, triple, and home run in a single game. Even rarer is the natural cycle, which means to hit a single, double, triple, and home run in that specific order. Hitting for the cycle has occurred 344 times as of the 2024 season, whereas natural cycles have happened only 14 times. The last player to hit for the natural cycle was Gary Matthews, Jr. in 2006.
6. Triple Steal
The triple steal occurs when baserunners successfully steal second, third, and home base in a single play. It’s a strategic and daring maneuver and usually occurs when the opposing team is caught off guard. This high-risk, high-reward play requires precise timing and speed on the part of the baserunners, and it’s a spectacle to behold whenever it occurs.
7. Three-Pitch Inning
Getting through an inning using only three pitches is an incredible display of pitching efficiency. In MLB history, there have been instances where a pitcher needed only three pitches to complete the inning. As of this writing, there have been only 200 instances in which a pitcher completed the inning with three pitches. Walter Johnson holds the record for most three-pitch innings by any Major League pitcher with four.
8. Immaculate Inning (striking out all three batters on nine pitches)
An immaculate inning, characterized by a pitcher striking out all three batters with just nine pitches, is a rare and impressive accomplishment. This has happened only 114 times, the last by Johan Oviedo of the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 24, 2023. The MLB record for most number of immaculate innings pitched is 3, shared by Max Scherzer, Sandy Koufax, and Chris Sale.
9. The Hidden Ball Trick
The hidden ball trick is a cunning play where the defensive team deceives the baserunner by concealing the ball, leading to an unexpected tag out. It requires quick thinking and precise execution to catch the opponent off guard.
10. Walk-Off Balk
A walk-off balk results in the game-ending run scoring due to a pitcher’s balk. It’s an unusual way to conclude a game, providing a dramatic finish that leaves fans and players alike in awe of the unexpected outcome.