Inbaseball, atriple is recorded when the ball is hit so that thebatter is able to advance all the way to third base,scoring anyrunners who were already on base, with noerrors by the defensive team on the play. InMajor League Baseball (MLB), a player in each league[L] is recognized for leading the league intriples.[1] Only triples hit in a particular league count toward that league's seasonal lead.
The first triples champion in the National League wasRoss Barnes; in the league's inaugural 1876 season, Barnes hit fourteen triples for theChicago White Stockings.[2] In 1901, the American League was established and led by two members of theBaltimore Orioles:Bill Keister andJimmy Williams each had 21.[3][4]Sam Crawford andTurkey Stearnes each led their respective leagues (theAmerican League andNegro league baseball) six times, which is the most for any player.[5]
| Year | Player | Team(s) | Triples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1882 | Pittsburgh Alleghenys | 16 | |
| 1883 | Columbus Buckeyes | 17 | |
| 1884 | Philadelphia Athletics | 23 | |
| 1885 | New York Metropolitans | 21 | |
| 1886 | New York Metropolitans | 31 | |
| 1887 | Baltimore Orioles Baltimore Orioles Louisville Colonels Cincinnati Red Stockings St. Louis Browns Philadelphia Athletics | 19 | |
| 1888 | Philadelphia Athletics | 20 | |
| 1889 | Columbus Solons | 15 | |
| 1890 | Toledo Maumees | 20 | |
| 1891 | Boston Reds | 21 |
| Year | Player | Team(s) | Triples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1914 | Indianapolis Hoosiers Brooklyn Tip-Tops | 15 | |
| 1915 | Chicago Whales | 19 |
| Year | Player | Team(s) | Triples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1890 | Pittsburgh Burghers | 22 |
| Year | Player | Team(s) | Triples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1884 | Cincinnati Outlaw Reds | 12 |
