Baseball is a complex, yet simple game at the same time.
That may seem contradictory, but its simple set of rules allows for many scenarios, plays, and situations.
For example, MLB has been playing for longer than a century, yet Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton made a specific play for the first time in the history of the game last night.
He was behind the first 8-5 triple play in MLB history.
He talked about the play after the game.
“Buxton, on the first-in-history triple play: ‘I don’t know how much more stuff can be a first in MLB history, so at least it was something left for us in the middle age to kind of grab, I guess,'” Do-Hyoung Park, who covers the Twins for MLB.com, tweeted.
Buxton, on the first-in-history triple play:
"I don’t know how much more stuff can be a first in MLB history, so at least it was something left for us in the middle age to kind of grab, I guess." https://t.co/KPzL7Fx9tD
— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) July 5, 2022
An Impressive Play
Buxton raced towards the wall to track down a well-hit fly ball.
Most center fielders wouldn’t get there, but Buxton is not just any center fielder, of course.
He made the catch and threw the ball to the cutoff man, the third baseman in this case.
The Chicago White Sox’s baserunners had started running when the ball was hit, so the third baseman completed the triple play, initiated by Buxton’s fielding ability and then his throwing arm.
It’s hard to make a strong throw after being left off-balance with the catch, but he pulled everything off.
In addition to being a strong, reliable slugger with some of the game’s most impressive power, a healthy Buxton is a Gold Glove-caliber center fielder.
He proved that once again on Monday, and the Twins ended up prevailing in the score, 6-3.
The man keeps delivering victories to the Twins with his bat, glove, and legs.
NEXT: Byron Buxton Keeps Up A Historic Mark At The Plate