Yankees History: Les Nunamaker Throws Out the Side

Only one catcher has thrown out three players stealing second base in the same inning. Yankees backstop Les Nunamaker did that on this day in 1914.

For most of his 12 year career, Les Nunamaker was a backup catcher, filling in whenever he was called upon to rest the starter. However, in a five year span from 1914 through 1918, Nunamaker appeared in 459 of his 716 career games, taking over as the Yankees starting backstop after being sold by the Red Sox.

It was in that first year in New York where Nunamaker carved his way into baseball history. On this day in 1914, Nunamaker threw out three Detroit Tigers baserunners as they attempted to steal second base. He became the only catcher since the turn of the 20th century to throw out three baserunners attempting to steal in the same inning.

It was not a fluke occurrence. Nunamaker was known for his strong throwing arm, twice finishing third in the league in caught stealing percentage. Over the course of his career, Nunamaker threw out 44% of the baserunners he faced. That number is also skewed by his final four years, when his arm was not the same. In that time, he threw out only 29.7% of those stealing against him.

More from Call to the Pen

• Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
• Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
• Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
• Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
• 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals

Despite his relatively few games, Nunamaker is still on the leaderboard when it comes to his defense. He ranks in the top 100 all time with 745 assists and 465 baserunners thrown out. His arm was a true weapon, helping to neutralize the running game at a time when stolen bases were an important part of a team’s offensive attack.

Nunamaker was more than just an arm behind the plate. He was a solid offensive presence, despite not having much power. His lifetime .268/.332/.339 batting line was worth an OPS+ of 95, a solid mark for a catcher in those days. That number came despite Nunamker hitting just two homers in 2233 plate appearances, with both homers coming in 1914.

Next: Girardi should keep six man rotation

Les Nunamaker was known for his excellent arm throughout his career. On this day in 1914, the Yankees catcher threw his way into baseball history.