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Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Joe Federico, Triple Play - 8

Joe Federico can lay claim to something few in baseball have done, according to the Wikipedia article on the Hamilton Redbirds.

With no outs in the inning of this 1988 contest, Auburn's Kenny Lofton hit one directly at Federico at first. In the ensuing sequence of events, Federico completed an unassisted triple play.

Only 15 players have achieved such a feat in the majors, Federico's feat sent his glove and jersey to the Canadian Hall of Fame. Federico, though, never got the chance to repeat the play in the majors. He played four seasons as a pro. He never made AAA.

Federico's career began in 1988, taken by the Cardinals in the 30th round of the draft out of the University of Nebraska. He also played at Glendale Community College.

At Nebraska, Federico went 3 for 5 with two RBI in a May 1987 game. He then knocked a two-run single in an April 1988 contest. After a May 1988 game, one scout reported Federico had major league power, according to The Oklahoman.

With the Cardinals, Federico started at short-season Hamilton. He hit .233 in 73 games, hitting nine home runs and knocking in 40.

He moved to single-A Savannah and St. Petersburg for 1989. He hit .205 between them, with seven home runs. Federico returned to St. Petersburg and also played at single-A Springfield in 1990. He hit .222.

Federico made AA Arkansas for 1991, getting into 48 games there. He walked and scored in an August game. With some time back at St. Petersburg, he hit .217 on the year, marking his final season as a pro.

Federico has since returned to California, serving as a coach for the Arcadia Braves youth team in 2017.
1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured: 2,620
Made the Majors:1,024-39.1%
Never Made Majors:1,596-60.9%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 425
10+ Seasons in the Minors:261

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