triple play (answered)

[jwhands]

Ok, I saw this on ESPN Classic yesterday, so I have to throw it out there.

In 1992, Philadelphia Phillies 2b Mickey Morandini executed an unassisted triple play. However, there was some controversy after the play ended. Can you tell me what it was? For a bonus point, who was pitching when the play occured?

[scottdg]

I want to say that Tommy Greene was pitching. Did they try and say that Morandini either trapped the ball or dropped it as it came out of his glove?

[trevisc]

he didn't tag second base

[jwhands]

Wow, this question is still out there. Ok, here's the hint. The triple play is legit. It has nothing to do with what happened during the play, but after. And no, the pitcher was not Tommy Greene.

[tallmike]

morandini makes the play, flips the ball to kurt Shilling who pitches to the next hitter and the ball is lost. no one thought to keep the ball as a momento or for the hall. Bonds was the third out, van slyke the second and jeff king the line drive out.

[jwhands]

You're really close, but why would Schilling pitch to another hitter with 3 outs????

[joshparrish]

actually it was the Pirates pitcher that lost the ball. Morandini tossed the ball on the mound apparently not thinking about what he just did and it got lost the next inning.

[tallmike]

you asked who was pitching when the play occured.

Schilling probably didn't lose the ball. Morandini apparently just dropped the ball on the mound as he ran to the dugout.

[tallmike]

randy tomlin was the pirates pitcher I think.<br><br><span class=gensmall>Accepted as answer by menyak on 28 Feb 2003 12:54 EST.</span>

[jwhands]

You guys basically got it. Schilling threw the pitch, which was lined to Morandini. He tagged the runner going to 2nd, then touched on the 2nd base bag for the 3rd out. He flipped the ball on the mound and ran to the dugout. The Pirates pitcher came out and proceeded to pitch to the next batter, who fouled the pitch off.

Schilling contested that after the play, he began to walk to the dugout. He then realized what happened, turned around, and took the ball off the mound. He gave the ball to Morandini later. Replays show, though, that it would've been impossible for Schilling to be able to turn around and get the ball, considering the pitcher would've already been warming up.