Photo by DandreaPhotography 
Yesterday (September 17, 2018), Brewers’ left fielder Christian Yelich hit for the cycle (single, double, triple, home run in the same game), as the brew crew topped the Reds’ 8-0 in Milwaukee. It was his second cycle of the 2018 season – and both came against the Reds. (The first cycle was on August 29 at the Great American Ball Park.) In yesterday’s contest, Yelich went four-for-four, with one run scored and four RBI.) He singled in the first inning, doubled in the third, hit a home run (with one on) in the fifth and got the most-often elusive triple in the sixth.
Two cycles in a season is a rare accomplishment indeed. In fact, Yelich is only the fifth major leaguer to accomplish that feat. The others are:
- 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).
Here are a few other cycle tidbits that yo may find of interest.
The Yellow Jersey of Cycles
On June 18, 2000, the Rockies’ Mike Lansing completed the cycle in just four innings – making his the quickest cycle in MLB history – and earning him the “yellow jersey” of baseball cyclists. Notably, Lansing was consistently behind in the counts and three of his four hits came with two strikes.
Lansing, hitting second in the order, hit an RBI triple to right in the first inning (getting the most difficult leg of the cycle out of the way ) on a 1-2 pitch, added a two-run home run (0-1 pitch) in the bottom of the second, hit a two-run double (2-2 pitch) in the bottom of the third (as the Rockies scored nine times to take a 14-1 lead), and then completed the cycle with a single (another 1-2 offering) to right in the fourth. Lansing then struck out in the sixth, before being lifted for a pinch-hitter in the eighth.
Quickest Cycle Ever … A Career Perspective
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.
Triple Your Pleasure – Triple Your Fun
Four players have hit for the cycle a record three times: 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).
Gotta Love the Texas – and More of “We Track Pretty Much Everything in Baseball”
Adrian Beltre’s record-tying three cycles – although hit for two different teams – all took place at the Texas Rangers’ home park (Globe Life Park in Arlington). He cycled there twice for the hometown Rangers and once for the visiting Mariners, making him the only player to hit for the cycle in the same stadium for two different teams.
Shortest Time Between Cycles
John Reilly (Reds) and Tip O‘Neill (St. Louis Brown Stockings, American Association) had the shortest time between cycles at just seven days. Reilly’s came on September 12 and September 19, 1883. O’Neill’s came on April 30 and May 7, 1887.
It’s Been a Hard Day’s Night
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 Cubbies 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.)
Patience is a Virtue
The longest time between cycles for a player with multiple cycles goes to the Royals’ George Brett (May 28, 1979 and July 25, 1990) at 11-years-58 days.
Something Old … Someting New
The youngest MLB player ever to hit for the cycle is the NY Giants’ Mel Ott (age 20, cycle on May 16, 1929).
The oldest player to hit for the cycle is The Angels’ Dave Winfield (age 39, cycle on June 24, 1991).
Like Father … Like Son
When Twins outfielder Gary Ward hit for the cycle in just his 14th MLB game (September 18, 1980), he not only recorded the earliest (in terms of MLB games played) cycle ever, he also set the stage for an event that would add to the “rare and unique” nature of his cycle nearly a quarter-century later. 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.
Sharing the Wealth
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).
Qoute the Raven, “Nevermore”
The Marlins are the only MLB team to never have a batter record a cycle.
A Most Unique Way to Record A Cycle
Photo: Library of Congress
The Yankees’ 1B Lou Gehrig (kind of) 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 for a cycle.
It Skips A Generation
Pirates’ RF Gus Bell and Phillies’ 3B David Bell are the only grandfather-grandson combination to hit for the cycle (June 4, 1951 and June 28, 2004, respectively).
The Home Run Cycle
Only once in professional baseball has a player hit for the “Home Run Cycle” – solo, two-run, three-run and GrandSlam homers in the same game. Read that story here.
Primary Resources: Society for American Baseball Research; Baseball-Reference.com; MLB.com; Baseball-Almanac.com
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