Never a regular, the speedy, slick-fielding Detroit first baseman entered the record books on May 31, 1927. With two Cleveland runners on, Neun nabbed Homer Summa‘s line drive and tagged Charlie Jamieson off first. Then, ignoring his shortstop’s shouts to throw the ball, he dashed toward second and tagged the bag before Glenn Myatt could get back. Neun had executed the major leagues’ seventh unassisted triple play. The sixth had been turned the day before, by Cubs shortstop Jimmy Cooney.
Switch-hitter Neun led the AL with 12 pinch hits in 42 tries in 1926. He became a player, coach, and manager for the Yankees’ Newark (International League) farm team, a dynasty in the 1930s and early 1940s. In 1946, he was New York’s interim manager for 14 games, replacing Bill Dickey. He skippered the Reds from 1947 through 100 games in 1948.
