Baseball fans have another reason to root for something extraordinary during the 2026 World Series. If the Milwaukee Brewers or Tampa Bay Rays turn a triple play, Denny’s is promising free meals to its Rewards members nationwide.
There’s just one catch: The last triple play in World Series history happened 106 years ago.
The restaurant chain announced its promotion October 21, offering every eligible Denny’s Rewards member a free Triple Play Combo if either team records three outs on a single defensive play during the championship series.
The odds aren’t particularly encouraging, but baseball has a way of producing the unexpected.
A World Series Feat Not Seen Since 1920
The only triple play in World Series history occurred October 10, 1920, during Game 5 between the Cleveland Indians and Brooklyn Robins.
Cleveland second baseman Bill Wambsganss accomplished something even more extraordinary: He turned the triple play entirely by himself.
With runners on first and second, Brooklyn pitcher Clarence Mitchell hit a line drive toward second base. Wambsganss caught the ball for the first out, stepped on second to double off Pete Kilduff, then tagged Otto Miller for the third.
Cleveland won the game 8–1 and eventually captured the championship.
More than a century later, Wambsganss remains the only player to turn an unassisted triple play in World Series history. In fact, no World Series team has turned a triple play of any kind since that afternoon.
For Denny’s, that makes the promotion a relatively safe wager.
Astros Fans Have Seen One Recently
Houston fans, however, don’t have to look back 106 years to remember a triple play.
On July 21, the Miami Marlins turned one against the Astros at Daikin Park, ending a promising eighth-inning rally.
Yordan Alvarez and Isaac Paredes opened the inning with consecutive singles, putting runners on first and second with nobody out.
Jose Altuve then grounded to third baseman Leo Jiménez, who stepped on the bag to force Alvarez before throwing to Xavier Edwards at second. Edwards completed the play with a throw to Kyle Stowers at first.
Three outs, one swing, and Houston’s scoring opportunity vanished.
It was Miami’s first triple play of the season and only the second in Marlins franchise history. The Astros nevertheless won the game 5–3.
The play demonstrated just how quickly an ordinary ground ball can become one of baseball’s rarest defensive accomplishments.
How to Claim the Free Meal
If either World Series team turns an official triple play, Denny’s will award eligible Rewards members a free Triple Play Combo, which includes a starter, entrée, and drink.
The meal ordinarily starts at $9.99.
To qualify, fans must join Denny’s Rewards by November 1 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. If the promotion is triggered, the free meal will automatically appear in eligible members’ accounts November 3.
There’s only one day to use it. The offer is valid November 3 for dine-in orders at participating Denny’s restaurants in the United States.
And there’s another incentive.
Members who redeem their free meal will automatically receive an entry into a sweepstakes for a chance to win what Denny’s calls “Free Denny’s for Life.”
The prize is actually a one-time cash payment of approximately $182,447, calculated using the value of a $9.99 meal every day for 50 years.
Will Baseball Deliver Another Triple Play?
Triple plays are among baseball’s rarest defensive achievements, typically occurring only a handful of times during an entire major league season.
They require an unusual combination of circumstances, including multiple baserunners, the right kind of batted ball, and precise defensive execution.
The Brewers and Rays have already provided plenty of memorable moments during their championship runs. Whether either team can produce a play that hasn’t happened in the World Series since 1920 remains to be seen.
For fans hoping to score a free meal, there’s suddenly a little more riding on every ground ball with runners aboard.
And if the impossible happens, dinner is on Denny’s.
