NewsBruntlett sending jersey to Hall of Fame
Phils infielder turned 15th unassisted triple play Sunday
By Todd Zolecki / MLB.com
08/24/09 1:57 PM ET
NEW YORK -- The incredible rarity of what happened to Eric Bruntlett on Sunday still hasn't completely sunk in.He turned an unassisted triple play in a 9-7 victory over the Mets at Citi Field. It was just the 15th unassisted triple play in baseball history, including the postseason. It was just the second unassisted triple play to end a game, the last coming May 31, 1927. There actually have been more perfect games -- 18, including the postseason -- than unassisted triple plays.
"That part of it definitely hasn't sunk in," Bruntlett said. "I don't know. It's hard to contextualize it. It's an oddity as much as anything. A perfect game, that's a perfect game. I just happened to be standing in the right place at the right time. It's awesome, but it's not the same type of accomplishment."
That is why the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum asked Bruntlett for a piece of memorabilia from the play.
Bruntlett is sending his jersey.
"It's great to have something in there," Bruntlett said.
It actually is the second piece of memorabilia Bruntlett will have in the Hall of Fame. He donated his cold-weather cap -- the one with the earflaps -- from the 2008 World Series.
"They took my Elmer Fudd hat," Bruntlett joked.
Bruntlett, who was playing at second base Sunday to give Chase Utley a day off, started Monday's series finale at shortstop to give Jimmy Rollins a rest.
Todd Zolecki is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
