Hitting for the Cycle – Past and Present

April 11, 2017 by
Wil Myers photo

Wil Myers – first cycle of 2017. Photo by Minda Haas Kuhlmann

Wil Myers, first baseman for the often offense-starved San Diego Padres, yesterday (April 10, 2017) hit for the cycle (single-double-triple-home run) as the Padres topped the Rockies 5-3 at Coors Field. Myers singled in the first inning, had an RBI double in the second, a solo home run in the sixth and a triple in the eighth – all part of a four-for-four, two-run, two-RBI game.  It was only the second cycle in Padres’ history (Matt Kemp, August 14, 2015 – also at Coors Field).

Myers’ was the first MLB cycle of 2017.  The last cycle was achieved by John Jaso of the Pirates on September 28 of last season (versus Cubs).

Let’s celebrate Myers’ cycle with a look at some cycle trivia.

  • On June 18, 2000, Rockies’ second baseman Mike Lansing set an MLB record by completing a cycle in just four innings. As the Rockies topped the Diamondbacks 19-2, Lansing – hitting second in the order – hit 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 (the Rockies scored nine times in the inning to take a 14-1 lead), and then 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. The Rockies won the contest 19-2.
  • 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 (Reds-1883 twice and 1890).

THE HOME RUN CYCLE – IT’S HAPPENED JUST ONCE

horne

Tyrone Horne – the only professional player to hit for the “Home Run Cycle.”

BBRT has written about this unique feat before, but it deserves repeating.  On July 27,  1998, Tyrone Horne, playing for the Double A Arkansas Travelers, became the only professional player (to date) to hit for the “Home Run Cycle” – bashing a solo, two-run, three-run and grand slam home run all in the same game (a 13-4 win over the San Antonio Mission). For full details, click here.

 

 

 

 

  • 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 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.)
  • Adrian Beltre has hit a record-tying three cycles – all at Arlington (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).
  • Four players have hit for cycle twice in the same season: John Reilly (American Association Red Stockings- 1883); Tip O’Neill (American Association St. Louis Browns-1887); Babe Herman (NL Brooklyn Robins-1931);  Aaron Hill (NL Arizona Diamondbacks-2012);
  • 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, while O’Neill’s came on April 30 and May 7, 1887. Reilly and Aaron Hill (Diamondbacks) are the only players with two cycles in the same calendar month.  Hill achieved his on June 18 and 29, 2012.
  • The longest time between cycles goes to the Royals’ George Brett (May 28, 1979 and July 25, 1990) at 11- years/58 days.
  • 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).
  • 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).

THIS CYCLE WAS A STRETCH

Lou Gehrig photo

Photo by dangaken

The Yankees’ 1B Lou Gehrig actually made an out while completing a cycle. 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.

  • Fourteen players have hit for the cycle in natural order (1B-2B-3B-HR) – the most recent being the Rangers’ Gary Matthews, Jr. (September 13, 2006 versus the Tigers).
  • Just six MLB players have hit for the cycle in reverse order, the most recent being the Indians’ Rajai Davis on July 2, 2016.
  • No team has hit for the cycle more time than the Giants (25). The Marlins are the only team with zero cycles.
  • The most cycles (all MLB teams) in any given season is eight (1933 and 2009).

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