Few occurrences in baseball are as rare as an unassisted triple play. As of this year, it had occurred only 15 times in the 113-year history of Major League Baseball, making it rarer than a perfect game. This time, a nationwide audience was able to witness it.
Horacio Ramirez was in fifth-inning trouble in a tie ballgame. Mike Matheny had singled leading off the inning; then on Orlando Palmeiro's sacrifice bunt attempt, Ramirez threw the ball to second base in an attempt at a force play, but shortstop Rafael Furcal didn't cover the base in time and everyone was safe.