Ernie Padgett

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Ernie Padgett (March 1, 1899 - April 15, 1957), nicknamed "Red", was an American infielder in Major League Baseball who played for two MLB teams, the Boston Braves and the Cleveland Indians, respectively, from 1923 to 1927.

Padgett made his MLB debut on October 3, 1923 at the age of 24 with the Boston Braves at the position of shortstop. Throughout his 5-year career, Padgett played the position of second baseman, third baseman and shortstop. However, he is most notable for turning an unassisted triple play on October 6, 1923, just in his second game of his career for the Braves against the Philadelphia Phillies. In the fourth inning, shortstop Padgett caught Walter Holke's line drive, stepped on second base to retire Cotton Tierney, and then tagged Cliff Lee before he was able to return to first base. It had been the first unassisted triple play in the National League since the year 1878.

Padgett played his last game on August 30, 1927, and died years later, on April 15, 1957 in East Orange, New Jersey.

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