Former MLB third baseman Gary Gaetti participated in eight triple plays from 1981 to 2000, including seven on defense, accounting for 10% of all such plays in that span. His defensive prowess at third base, honed by rigorous training, placed him in unique situations to initiate these rare plays. Gaetti's record highlights his focus and luck in baseball's most improbable defensive maneuvers.
Gary Gaetti's 20-year MLB career, spanning teams like the Minnesota Twins, California Angels, Kansas City Royals, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, and Boston Red Sox, featured an extraordinary defensive achievement: involvement in seven triple plays on defense, plus one as a batter. Between 1981 and 2000, MLB recorded 80 triple plays total, making Gaetti's share remarkable.
His first came on May 29, 1982, at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, where the Twins turned an unorthodox 2-5-3-1 play against the New York Yankees. Runners Graig Nettles and Bobby Murcer were caught after Roy Smalley's strikeout, with Gaetti key in the rundown. "You’re just reacting to what happened with the strikeout, covering third base if they’re running," Gaetti recalled.
The second occurred on August 8, 1983, against the Angels, a conventional around-the-horn play started by Gaetti on Ron Jackson's grounder with runners Bobby Grich and Reggie Jackson. He credited his position: "I really think it’s because of the third base position -- I really tried to play for [a triple play] and put myself in the position where I could start it."
Gaetti extended his streak in 1984 against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium, turning a 5-4-3 on Rick Cerone's grounder. Four years later, on April 5, 1988, Opening Day at Yankee Stadium, he initiated another 5-4-3 with bases loaded against Rafael Santana.
His most memorable day was July 17, 1990, at Fenway Park, where the Twins turned two triple plays against the Red Sox—the first MLB team to do so in one game. Gaetti started both: one on Tom Brunansky's chopper with bases loaded, and another in the eighth on Jody Reed's grounder with runners Tim Naehring and Wade Boggs. Before the first, he told Boggs, "Watch this, we’re gonna turn a triple play right here."
Gaetti's final defensive triple play came on May 14, 1994, for the Royals at Kauffman Stadium against the Oakland A's, tying him with Jim Bottomley and George Sisler for second-most all-time (seven), behind Donie Bush's nine.
Gaetti attributed his success to fundamentals from college, emphasizing short-hop drills that built his confidence. He won four straight Gold Gloves from 1986-89 and always prioritized defense: "I’m gonna try to get out of this inning, whatever it takes." His story underscores preparation meeting opportunity in baseball's rarest plays.
