Jorge Polanco, hit 2019’s first “cycle.”
This season has seen three MLB players hit for the cycle – two this month. Those hitters were the Twins’ Jorge Polanco (April 5); Angels’ Shohei Ohtani (June 13); and Indians’ Jake Bauers (June 14).
If you are wondering about the record for cycles in an MLB season, it’s eight (1933 and 2009). In 1933, the hitters were: Pepper Martin (Cardinals); Chuck Klein (Phillies); Arky Vaughn (Pirates); Mickey Cochrane (Athletics); Pinky Higgins (Athletics); Jimmie Foxx (Athletics); Earl Averill (Indians); Babe Herman (Cubs). In 2009, the following hitters achieved the feat: Orlando Hudson (Dodgers); Ian Kinsler (Rangers); Jason Kubel (Twins); Michael Cuddyer (Twins); Troy Tulowitzki (Rockies); Felix Pie (Orioles); and B.J. Upton (Rays).
Why do I bring this up here? A couple of reasons. First, this month’s two cycles occurred while I was on my annual Ballpark Tours excursion (eight games in ten days in five cities) and I was busy posting about the trip. Second, because today is the 19th anniversary of the day (June 18, 200) that Colorado Rockies’ second baseman Mike Lansing completed the fastest cycle (single, double, triple, home run in one game) in major league history – collecting the necessary hits in the first four innings of the game.
Lansing, hitting second in the order, laced an RBI triple to right in the first inning, added a two-run home run in the bottom of the second, hit a two-run double in the bottom of the third (as the Rockies scored nine times to take a 14-1 lead), and completed the cycle with a single to right in the fourth. Lansing then struck out in the sixth, before being pinch hit for in the eighth. Lansing’s day? Four-for-five, three runs, five RBI and MLB’s quickest-ever cycle, as the Rockies topper Arizona 19-2.
The longest time to complete a cycle? By some measures, that would be two days. The Expos’ Tim Foli is the only player to start a cycle one day and complete it the next. On April 21, 1976, Foli collected a single, double and triple in a contest against the Cubs that was suspended (pre-Wrigley lights) in the top of the seventh due to darkness. When play resumed the following day, Foli added an eighth-inning home run. (The Expos prevailed 12-6.)
How about a few other cycle tidbits:
- Among current franchises, only the Marlins have never had a player hit for the cycle.
- The leader in cycles among current franchises is the Boston Red Sox with 23. (If you go back to the 1880s and the American Association Pittsburgh/Allegheny franchise (now the NL Pirates), the record stands at 24.
- The most cycles ever in any calendar month is four (in August, 1933); Mickey Cochrane (Athletics, August 2); Pinky Higgins (Athletics, August 6); Jimmie Foxx (Athletics, August 14); Earl Averill (Indians – against the Athletics – August 17).
No American League player has ever hit for the cycle twice in a season.
- Four players have hit for the cycle a record three times in a career: Adrian Beltre (Mariners-2008, Rangers-2012 and 2015); Bob Meusel (Yankees-1921, 1922 and 1928); Babe Herman (Brooklyn Robins-1931 twice and Cubs-1933); John Reilly (Red Stockings-1883 twice and Reds 1890).
- Only five players have hit two cycles in a season: Christian Yelich (Brewers, 2018); Aaron Hill (Diamondbacks, 2012); Babe Herman (Dodgers 1931); Tip O’Neill (St. Louis Browns, American Association 1887): and John Reilly (Cincinnati Red Stockings, American Association, 1883).
A Most Unique Way to Record A Cycle
Photo by rchdj10 
The Yankees’ 1B Lou Gehrig “earned” a cycle by being tossed out at the plate. On June 25, 1934, as New York topped Chicago 13-2 at Yankee Stadium, Gehrig hit two-run home run in the first inning; a single in the third; and a double in the sixth. Gehrig came up needing just the triple for the cycle in the seventh and hit a smash to deep center (scoring Yankees’ CF Ben Chapman). Gehrig wasn’t satisfied with a three-bagger and was thrown out at home (8-6-2) trying for an inside-the-park home run – thus getting credit for the triple he needed to complete the cycle.
- Minnesota Twins’ outfielder Gary Ward hit for the cycle in just his 14th MLB game (September 18, 1980 against the Brewers) – the earliest in an MLB career anyone has ever accomplished the feat.
Like Father – Like Son
When Twins outfielder Gary Ward hit for the cycle on September 18, 1980, he set the stage for a yet to be matched father-son achievement. On May 26, 2004, Ward’s son Daryle Ward – playing 1B and batting third for the Pirates as they took on the Cardinals in St. Louis – also hit for the cycle. Gary and Daryle Ward are the only father-son combination (to date) to hit for the cycle.
- Three players have hit for the cycle in both the NL and AL: Bob Watson (NL Astros-1977 and AL Red Sox-1979); John Olerud (NL Mets-1997 and AL Mariners-2001); Michael Cuddyer (AL Twins-2009 and NL Rockies-2014).
Johnny on the Spot – Nearly a Cycle – in the First Inning
Photo by Keith Allison
On June 27, 2003, Johnny Damon was playing CF and leading off for the Red Sox – as they took on the Marlins in Boston. In a start that brought Boston fans up out of their seats, Damon was three-fourths of the way to the cycle before the first inning was over. (He also hit the ball on which the final out of the frame was made – so, he went three-for-four in one inning.)
On that day, Damon became just the fifth player to collect three hits in an inning. He accomplished the feat in the first inning of a 25-8 Red Sox win over the Marlins.
Damon who collected a single, double and triple in the bottom of the first, ended the game five-for-seven, with three runs scored, three RBI, a double, a triple and three singles. He, unfortunately, did not get the cycle. For the game, Lansing was four-for-five, with three runs and five RBI.
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