Neal Ball
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cornelius "Neal" Ball (April 22, 1881 - October 15, 1957), the American baseball player, achieved fame on July 19, 1909[1] when he pulled off the first unassisted triple play in Major League baseball history in a game against the Boston Red Sox. "During the same game, he set another major league record for shortstops. His glove from that game is on exhibit at the Baseball Hall of Fame."[2]
Ball was born on April 22, 1881 in Grand Haven, Michigan and died on October 15, 1957 in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He was interred at Mountain Grove Cemetery, Bridgeport.[3]
Ball got his start in organized baseball on the semi-pro team in Three Rivers, Michigan, where he, during the 1902 season, played in a game against Hall of Fame Negro League star Rube Foster (who was playing for the Otsego Independents at the time).
[edit] Team affiliation
- In 1902, Ball played for the Three Rivers semi-pro team
- In 1907, Ball was signed by the New York Highlanders (Yankees), for which team he played two seasons.
- Partway into 1909, he was traded to the Cleveland Naps (Indians).
- During the 1912 season, he joined the Boston Red Sox, for whom his final game was played 30 June 1913.
- From 1913 to 1923, he was affiliated with 6 minor league baseball teams as a player and manager[4]
