Amby McConnell

Ambrose Moses McConnell (April 29, 1883 – May 20, 1942) was an American baseball second baseman who played four seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). Nicknamed "Midget" due to his stature, he played for the Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox from 1908 to 1911. He batted left-handed but threw right-handed.

McConnell played minor league baseball for three different teams until August 1907, when he signed for the Boston Red Sox. After making his debut the following season and spending three seasons with the Red Sox, McConnell was traded in the middle of the 1910 season to the Chicago White Sox, where he spent the next two years of his career before playing his last game on October 8, 1911. He died on May 20, 1942, in Utica, New York. McConnell is most famous for hitting into the first unassisted triple play in Major League Baseball history on July 19, 1909.

Personal life McConnell was born on April 29, 1883. He grew up in North Pownal, Vermont, and began his baseball career there.

Professional career

Minor leagues McConnell departed the Dalton team in and began to play organized baseball for semi-pro teams in Rutland, Vermont, and Beloit, Wisconsin, in the following season. where his performance dipped. However, he rebounded in the season, where he batted .320 and stole 50 bases for the Providence Grays.

Boston Red Sox (1908–1910) During his rookie season, McConnell had a relatively successful year. He had the team's second-highest batting average (.279) and number of hits (140). He also set the Red Sox record for most stolen bases in a single-season by a rookie with 31, Defensively, he committed the most errors among all second basemen in the American League (AL) with 38. Nevertheless, McConnell was voted the most popular Red Sox player of the season by the fans,

McConnell achieved baseball history when he lined into the first unassisted triple play in Major League Baseball history on July 19, 1909, doing so against the Cleveland Indians at League Park. McConnell unsuccessfully attempted to sacrifice bunt twice and was able to reach a full count before Red Sox manager Fred Lake ordered the two baserunners to hit and run. McConnell then hit a line drive past Cy Young, the game's starting pitcher, and to Indians' shortstop Neal Ball. Ball caught the liner, stepped on second base to retire Wagner, and then tagged Stahl as he was advancing towards second.

McConnell began the season poorly. He was replaced by Larry Gardner and this change eventually became permanent.

Chicago White Sox (1910–1911) Upon McConnell's arrival in Chicago, White Sox manager Hugh Duffy declared that trading for McConnell and Lord "was just about all that we needed to give the White Sox a team." McConnell performed better after the trade, posting a batting average of .275 during his half-season with the White Sox.