What is Hitting for the Cycle?
Hitting for the cycle is an impressive feat in Major League Baseball (MLB). It occurs when a batter hits a single, double, triple, and home run in the same game. A batter who achieves this feat is said to have “hit for the cycle.” It is one of the rarest and most exciting occurrences in the sport of baseball, and it is an honor to be considered one of the players who have accomplished it.
History of Hitting for the Cycle
The first instance of a player hitting for the cycle in the MLB was on June 4, 1882, when New York Giants shortstop Bob “Death to Flying Things” Ferguson accomplished the feat. Since then, there have been numerous other players who have hit for the cycle, including some of the greatest in the history of the game.
Notable Players Who Have Hit for the Cycle
There have been many notable players who have hit for the cycle throughout the years. Some of the more famous players to have accomplished this feat include:
- Babe Ruth: The most iconic figure in baseball history, Babe Ruth hit for the cycle on July 18, 1925.
- Lou Gehrig: One of the greatest hitters of all-time, Lou Gehrig hit for the cycle on July 16, 1932.
- Willie Mays: The Say Hey Kid, Willie Mays hit for the cycle on April 30, 1961.
- Mike Trout: One of the best players of the modern era, Mike Trout hit for the cycle on April 17, 2013.
Recent Players to Hit for the Cycle
In recent years, there have been several players who have hit for the cycle. Some of the more recent players to accomplish this feat include:
- Mookie Betts: The 2018 American League MVP, Mookie Betts hit for the cycle on June 18, 2018.
- Javier Baez: The 2018 National League MVP runner-up, Javier Baez hit for the cycle on April 27, 2019.
- Nelson Cruz: A seven-time All-Star, Nelson Cruz hit for the cycle on April 11, 2019.
- Trea Turner: The Washington Nationals shortstop, Trea Turner hit for the cycle on April 8, 2019.
How Many Players Have Hit for the Cycle?
Since 1882, there have been a total of 306 players who have hit for the cycle in the MLB. This includes some of the greatest players in the history of the game, such as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Willie Mays, and Mike Trout.
What is the Record for Most Cycles Hit?
The record for most cycles hit in a career is held by former Boston Red Sox outfielder Adrián Beltré. Beltré hit for the cycle four times in his career, which is the most of any player in the history of the MLB.
What is the Record for Most Cycles Hit in a Season?
The record for most cycles hit in a single season is held by two players. Former New York Mets outfielder George “The Stork” Theodore hit for the cycle twice in the same season in 1969, while former Cincinnati Reds outfielder Eric Davis hit for the cycle twice in one season in 1988.
Players Who Have Hit for the Cycle Multiple Times
In addition to Adrián Beltré, there have been several other players who have hit for the cycle multiple times in their careers. Some of the most notable players to have accomplished this feat multiple times include:
- Sam Crawford: Hall of Fame outfielder Sam Crawford hit for the cycle three times in his career.
- Ralph Kiner: Hall of Fame outfielder Ralph Kiner hit for the cycle three times in his career.
- Paul Molitor: Hall of Fame shortstop Paul Molitor hit for the cycle three times in his career.
- Miguel Cabrera: Three-time MVP Miguel Cabrera hit for the cycle twice in his career.
Conclusion
Hitting for the cycle is one of the rarest and most impressive feats in baseball. Since the feat was first accomplished in 1882, there have been a total of 306 players who have hit for the cycle in the MLB. This includes some of the greatest players in the history of the game, such as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Willie Mays, and Mike Trout. The record for most cycles hit in a career is held by Adrián Beltré, while the record for most cycles hit in a single season is held by George Theodore and Eric Davis. There have also been several players who have hit for the cycle multiple times in their careers, including Sam Crawford, Ralph Kiner, Paul Molitor, and Miguel Cabrera.