A World Series Unassisted Triple Play

Here is a super rare press ticket stub on eBay from the 1920 World Series between the Dodgers and the Cleveland Indians. What makes this notable, other than the Dodgers losing, is what occurred during Game 5 of the series. Bill Wambsganss performed the incredible. He recorded a unassisted triple play in the 5th inning. In fact, it remains the only triple play to ever happen during the October classic.

While playing 2nd base he snagged Willie Mitchell's line drive, stepped on the bag to record the second out (Pete Kilduff), then tagged out Otto Miller coming from first base. Below is a photo of the play.(pic Link: Baseball-Almanac)

Koufax's Last Game

Here is a nice collectible sure to make any Sandy Koufax collector happy. On eBay is a ticket stub from Sandy Koufax's very last regular season game and last win in the Major Leagues. It is from the last game of the 1966 season between the Dodgers and the Philadelphia Phillies on October 2nd. Sandy pitched the 2nd game of a doubleheader and recorded win number 27 of the year (165 for his career). He went all 9 innings while giving up only 2 runs and striking out 10. With the World Series match with the Baltimore Orioles just around the corner it looked like he was poised to dominate once again. Unfortunately, he would pitch only once more in a losing effort against Jim Palmer as the Dodgers would get sweeped in 4 straight.

T206 Brooklyn Dodgers: Joe Dunn

Here is my second installment of Brooklyn T206 players.  This time I around I feature catcher Joseph Edward Dunn.  He only had a two year Major League career from 1908 to 1909, all with the Brooklyn Superbas.  He was a backup catcher who only had an opportunity to get into 30 games.  He didn't have much pop in his bat and even had less of an arm behind the plate.  Dunn hit a career .169 and gave up 34 steals in 27 games as a catcher.  Overall, he spent 17 years in the minors, bouncing around primarily in the Midwest as a player til 1926.  He also managed a bit on various minor league clubs from 1915 to 1931.  Unfortunately, I don't know anything more about him.

A Great Season Comes to an Unfortunate End

Even though the Kings lost a nail-biter tonight, 4 to 2, I am far some unhappy or discouraged. Sure, a win would have been nice, but when it comes to a young team like the Kings it's important to look at this series loss as a stepping stone to a brighter tomorrow.

This season was everything I had hoped. A team not expected to make the playoffs played their hearts out. They exceeded the expectations of the fans and I am grateful for their effort.

Thank you Kings for a great season. As Dodger fans are want to say, "wait 'til next year."

Tommy Believes in the Kings

Here is a great video with a monologue from Tommy included. It is titled "Believe." Game is at 6PM. Tune in.

YouTube Link:
Hat Tip: LA Kings News:

Game 6 Tonight

It's do or die tonight as the Kings face off against the Canucks for Game 6.  We are down 3 games to 2, so tonight is a must win. As I wrote the other day, playoffs are about short memories.  So, after a demoralizing loss this past Friday, 7 to 2, it's important to look towards leaving everything on the ice tonight.

Here are some choice quotes from the Kings

• “Everybody knows the situation. It’s just business as usual. We’ve got to go out and win a game. That’s it. We’ve got to win to keep it going, and that’s all that’s on our mind.” - Defenseman Matt Greene
• You’ve got to get yourself emotionally ready to play, and rested, and get your nutrition and come to the rink at the right time to get yourself ready to start the game. Whenever you get to the Stanley Cup playoffs, and you’re coming into a game like this one here, where you’re facing elimination, I don’t think there’s any need for any `Rocky’ video. It’s time for the players to step up. - Coach Terry Murray
• “If you can’t get up for this, then you’re crazy. It’s do or die. This could potentially be the last game of our season, so we’ll come out scrapping and we’re going to leave it all out there on the ice, that’s for sure.” - Winger Wayne Simmonds  
• n a game like this, we have to get off to a good start. We have to put them back on their heels if we can. We’re expecting them to be ready. They have a chance to clinch, and that’s an exciting prospect for them, so we have to be ready from start to finish and we have to have a full 60.” - Captain Dustin Brown