Most Triples in MLB History
A triple in baseball occurs when a batter successfully hits the ball and reaches third base without any errors or other players being out. It’s considered one of the toughest hits to make because it requires a combination of strength, speed and precise timing. During the dead-ball era when ballparks were larger and the ball didn’t travel as far, triples were much more frequent. Sam Crawford holds the all-time record with most triples in mlb history with 309 triples in his career.
Photo Credit: Los Angeles Times, CC BY 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Top 5 Most Career Triples in MLB History
Here are the top 5 players with the most triples in MLB history, showing how timing and placement often beat raw power.
| Rank | Player | Triples |
| 1 | Sam Crawford | 309 |
| 2 | Ty Cobb | 297 |
| 3 | Honus Wagner | 252 |
| 4 | Jake Beckley | 243 |
| 5 | Roger Connor | 233 |
Sam Crawford (309 Triples)
Career: 1899-1917
Teams: Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers
Sam Crawford was a major star during baseball’s Deadball Era. He gained fame for his ability to hit triples, sending balls deep into the expansive outfields of his era and racing to three bases with his incredible speed. Crawford ended his career with a total of 309 triples. No player has come close to that record and experts agree it’s unlikely to be broken in today’s home run–focused game.
Ty Cobb (297 Triples)
Career: 1905-1928
Teams: Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Athletics
Ty Cobb is considered one of the best triples hitters in the history of baseball. He recorded 295 career triples which is the second-highest total in MLB history and still the American League record. Cobb’s exceptional hitting ability and daring baserunning frequently transformed doubles into triples often scaring defenses with his bold approach.
Honus Wagner (252 Triples)
Career: 1897-1917
Teams: Louisville Colonels, Pittsburgh Pirates
Honus Wagner was a legendary shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He achieved a total of 252 career triples which is the highest in National League history. Wagner’s combination of speed and power made him one of the most well-rounded players of his time, especially in the large ballparks of the Deadball Era. Today, his record is seen as untouchable because modern baseball tends to favor home runs and smaller stadiums.
Jake Beckley (243 Triples)
Career: 1888-1907
Teams: Pittsburgh Alleghenys, Pittsburgh Burghers, Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Giants, Cincinnati Reds, St. Louis Cardinals
Jake Beckley had a lengthy and stable career with multiple teams. He ended up with 244 career triples placing him fourth in MLB history. Beckley achieved this success thanks to his reliability and knack for driving the ball into the gaps with power. The large ballparks of the Deadball Era also favored speed and extra-base hits over home runs, giving him an edge.
Roger Connor (233 Triples)
Career: 1880-1897
Teams: Troy Trojans, New York Gothams/Giants, New York Giants, New York Giants, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Giants, St. Louis Browns
Roger Connor was among the earliest real sluggers in baseball. He achieved 233 career triples and shone as a player for teams such as the New York Giants. What makes this even more remarkable is that Connor held the title of home run king before Babe Ruth. He was exceptional in the 19th-century game where large outfields and softer baseballs often turned hard line drives into triples.
