Wamby was the Indians' regular second baseman for much of 1915 through 1923. The
slick-fielding infielder gained fame by making the only post-season unassisted triple
play in Game Five of the 1920 World Series. In the fifth inning, Wambsganss stabbed
a line drive off the bat of Brooklyn pitcher Clarence Mitchell, stepped on second
to double up Pete Kilduff, and tagged Otto Miller, the runner from first, who thought
the ball had gone through for a hit.
(JK)
FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»August 7, 1915: At Fenway, Smoky Joe Wood fires a one-hitter, beating Cleveland, 2–0. Bill Wambsganss single is the only Cleveland hit. For Wood, it is his 5th one-hitter, and the 3rd over regulation distance.
»September 10, 1920: In the bottom of the first of an event-laden game, Grimes gives up hits to Charlie Jamieson, Bill Wambsganss, and Speaker. OF Elmer Smith then hits the first grand slam in World Series history, jumping on a Grimes spitter in the opening inning. In the 3rd, P Jim Bagby comes up with two on and crashes another Grimes delivery for a 3-run home run, the first ever by a pitcher in World Series play. Bagby is roughed for 13 hits, but he gets out of jams with the aid of three DPs and an unassisted triple play. In the 5th with Pete Kilduff on 2B and Otto Miller on 1B, relief pitcher Clarence Mitchell hits a line drive at SS Wambsganss, who steps on 2B and tags the off-and-running Miller before he can retreat. Cleveland dominates, 8–1.
»January 7, 1924: The Indians trade veteran C Steve O'Neill, 2B Bill Wambsganss, OF Joe Connolly, and P Danny Boone to Boston for 1B George Burns, 2B Chick Fewster and C Al Walters. Burns gives the Indians a 6th .300 hitter in the lineup.
»December 10, 1925: The A's pick up veteran SS Bill Wambsganss from the Red Sox.
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