Take me out to the ballgame — Gottlieb’s Chicago Cubs ‘Triple Play’ is a solid-state four-player wrapped in a baseball theme celebrating the beloved ball club, with a concept by Gil Pollock, design by the acclaimed John Trudeau, art by Larry Day, and software by John Buras. With an alphanumeric display and an approximate run of 1,365, it’s a spirited baseball machine from a stellar Gottlieb team.
The layout is a solid, well-appointed spread: a generous four flippers, three pop bumpers, a six-bank of drop targets, a spinning target, a kick-out hole, and a standup target. That six-bank of drops is the machine’s calling card, giving a sharp-shooting player a satisfying objective to clear, while the spinning target offers high-value shots and the four flippers open up extra attacking angles across the playfield. The three pop bumpers keep the ball lively up top, and the kick-out hole offers a captured-ball award to chase, all in service of the baseball theme and the pennant-chasing excitement it evokes. It’s a target-rich design that rewards accurate shooting.
Chicago Cubs ‘Triple Play’ is a fine example of a stellar Gottlieb design team’s craft, pairing an evergreen baseball theme — and a specific, beloved team — with a satisfying, drop-and-spinner playfield. John Trudeau’s design pedigree and Larry Day’s art bring the ballpark to life. For the collector who loves late-era Gottlieb design, a baseball theme, and a machine tied to a famous franchise, it’s a rewarding find. Clear that six-bank, rip the spinner, and turn the triple play. Some machines celebrate a beloved team with satisfying play, and this Gottlieb baseball classic is one of them. Play ball and drop a coin.