1920 Cleveland Indians (vs. Brooklyn Robins) World Series Game 5 Ticket Stub - PSA - Wambsganss' Unassisted Triple Play and First World Series Grand Slam

Sold For:

$3,120

Year:

1920

Auction:

2022 Summer

Lot #:

2377

Category:

Post-1900 Baseball Memorabilia

Ticket stub issued for Game 5 of the 1920 World Series between the Brooklyn Dodgers and Cleveland Indians in which three historic World Series "firsts" occurred: unassisted triple play (made by Bill Wambsganss, still the only one ever in a World Series game); grand slam (by Cleveland's Elmer Smith); and home run by a pitcher (by Cleveland's Jim Bagby). Graded FAIR 1.5 by PSA (submitted by REA). While both Smith's and Bagby's home runs were significant "firsts," it is Wambsganss who is best remembered today. An unassisted triple play is the rarest feat in all of baseball, less likely than even a perfect game. In the history of Major League Baseball, only fifteen players have ever accomplished the trick. Because the play is the result more of luck than of individual skill, few fans can recall the names of even one or two players who have made an unassisted triple play, with the exception of one: Bill Wambsganss. Unlike those other fourteen players, Wambsganss had the good fortune to record his triple play in the World Series, thereby ensuring that his name would forever remain prominently etched in the annals of baseball history. Wambsganss, who was playing second base for Cleveland, accomplished the feat in the fifth inning. The play helped Cleveland earn an 8-1 victory en route to winning the Series in seven games (the World Series was a best-of-nine in 1920). This is the just the fifth example of this rare stub we have ever offered, and we have only seen a few others at auction in the past 20 years. An extremely desirable ticket commemorating three historical events in World Series history. Reserve $500.