Is There a Triple-Double in Baseball?
Quick answer
Not an official baseball stat. Fans borrow the basketball term for a season with double digits in doubles, triples and home runs. The closest real feat is the 20-20-20-20 club, which only four players have reached.
In this article
There is no official triple-double in baseball. The term comes from basketball, where a player reaches double figures in three stats (such as points, rebounds and assists) in one game. Baseball's stats don't work that way: nobody gets 10 hits or 10 runs in a single game. When baseball fans say "triple-double," they're borrowing the idea, usually for a season with double digits in doubles, triples and home runs.
How fans use the term
You'll see "triple-double" used loosely in a few ways:
- Doubles, triples and home runs in double digits in one season. This is the most common use. Ten doubles and ten homers are routine for a regular. Ten triples is the hard part.
- Adding stolen bases. Some writers add stolen bases for a "quadruple-double."
- Jokes about single games. Occasionally it's used for a big day, like three hits, three RBIs and three runs, but that isn't a real stat.
None of these is tracked as an official MLB statistic. If you want numbers, look up the players' doubles (2B), triples (3B), home runs (HR) and stolen bases (SB) on any stats site.
Why triples make it rare
Triples need a mix of speed, a big outfield gap and a little luck. Most hitters hit only a few a year, and the league leader often has around a dozen. That's why any "triple-double" style season is a sign of a rare player: someone with the speed to take third and the power to hit the ball out.
The real feat: the 20-20-20-20 club
Baseball's closest real equivalent is the 20-20-20-20 club: at least 20 doubles, 20 triples, 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in one season. Only four players have done it in MLB history:
| Player | Team | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Frank Schulte | Chicago Cubs | 1911 |
| Willie Mays | New York Giants | 1957 |
| Curtis Granderson | Detroit Tigers | 2007 |
| Jimmy Rollins | Philadelphia Phillies | 2007 |
Other rare feats worth knowing
If you like oddball achievements, these are real and tracked:
- Triple Crown: leading the league in batting average, home runs and RBIs
- Immaculate inning: three strikeouts on nine pitches
- Slugging percentage: the stat that rewards extra-base hits
For more definitions, see our list of baseball terms explained.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a triple-double in baseball?
There is no official triple-double in baseball. It is a basketball stat. Baseball fans sometimes borrow the term informally for seasons with double digits in doubles, triples and home runs.
What is the 20-20-20-20 club in baseball?
It is a season with at least 20 doubles, 20 triples, 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases. Only four players have done it in MLB history, Frank Schulte in 1911, Willie Mays in 1957, and Curtis Granderson and Jimmy Rollins in 2007.
Why is a triple-double so hard in baseball?
Triples are rare. A player needs real speed to reach third on a hit and enough power to hit home runs, and few players have both.
