Books and articles about Johnny Neun

Never a regular, the speedy, slick-fielding Detroit first baseman entered the record books on May 31, 1927. With two Cleveland runners on, Neun nabbed Homer Summa's line drive and tagged Charlie Jamieson off first. Then, ignoring his shortstop's shouts to throw the ball, he dashed toward second and tagged the bag before Glenn Myatt could get back. Neun had executed the major leagues' seventh unassisted triple play. The sixth had been turned the day before, by Cubs shortstop Jimmy Cooney.

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RELATED LINKS Book Excerpts » "You could hear him all over the park: 'Triple play unassisted! Triple play unassisted!' : Eddie Wells Ask The Experts » Which players have turned unassisted triple plays? Around the Web » Johnny Neun from baseball-reference.com Jump directly to Library content from any website!

Switch-hitter Neun led the AL with 12 pinch hits in 42 tries in 1926. He became a player, coach, and manager for the Yankees' Newark (International League) farm team, a dynasty in the 1930s and early 1940s. In 1946, he was New York's interim manager for 14 games, replacing Bill Dickey. He skippered the Reds from 1947 through 100 games in 1948. (JK)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » May 31, 1927: Detroit 1B Johnny Neun pulls off the 2nd unassisted triple play in two days. It happens in the 9th against Cleveland to end the game when Neun catches Homer Summa's line drive, touches Charlie Jamieson in the baseline and runs to 2B where he tags the base Glenn Myatt has vacated. Detroit wins 1–0. Rip Collins escapes with the win. » May 1, 1930: At Pittsburgh, rookie Wally Berger blasts homers in the 7th and 8th innings to lead the Braves to a 4–3 win over Larry French. After Berger's 1st homer, Johnny Neun, in his 5th season, adds his first ML homer. » October 1, 1946: Johnny Neun is named the Reds manager for next year. » March 1, 1947: New managers in training camps are Billy Herman with Pittsburgh, Muddy Ruel with the Browns, Bucky Harris with the Yankees, and Johnny Neun at Cincinnati. Neun had ended 1946 as manager of the Yankees after both Joe McCarthy and Bill Dickey had quit. » August 6, 1948: The Reds release Johnny Neun as manager and pick Bucky Walters to succeed him. The change doesn't help today as Brooklyn's Rex Barney wins, 4–1.