Some MLB “Cycle” Trivia in honor of Freddie Freeman’s Overtime Accomplishment

Photo by Neon Tommy

The Braves may be having a dismal season, but last night (June 15) in Atlanta, Freddie Freeman worked overtime to give Atlanta fans something to cheer about.   As the Braves topped the Reds 9-8 in 13 innings, the Atlanta 1B hit for the cycle – doubling in the third, legging out a triple in the fourth, launching a (game-tying) solo home run in the sixth and notching single in the eleventh.  For the night, Freeman was four-for-seven, with two runs scored and one RBI.

In MLB history, 276 player have hit for the cycle a total of 309 times; with 25 players collecting two cycles and four players achieving the feat a record three times.

As we note Freeman’s addition to the cycle list, here’s a bit of cycle trivia.

• On June 18, 2000, Colorado 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 (as the Rockies scored nine times 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.  Lansing’s day?  Four-for-five, three runs, five RBI.

Adrian Beltre, sitting on a record three cycles. Photo by Keith Allison

• Four players have hit for the cycle a record three times: Adrian Beltre (Mariners-2008; Rangers-2012; Rangers-2015); Bob Meusel (Yankees-1921; Yankees-1922; Yankees-1928); Babe Herman (Brooklyn Robins-1931; Robins-1931; Cubs – 1933); John Reilly (Reds-1883; Reds-1883; Reds-1890).
• 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 (no lights at Wrigley yet). When play resumed the following day, Foli added an eighth-inning home run. (The Expos, by the way, won 12-6.)
• Adrian Beltre has hit a record-tying three cycles – all at Arlington (twice for the home 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.  In those three cycles, Beltre hit .867 (13-for-fifteen), with eight runs, nine RBI, four singles and three doubles, triples and home runs.
• The Marlins are the only team to never have a player hit for the cycle.
• Four players have hit for cycle twice in the same season: Babe Herman (NL Brooklyn Robins-1931); Aaron Hill (NL Diamondbacks-2012); Tip O’Neill (American Association St. Louis Browns-1887); John Reilly (American Association Red Stockings- 1883).  No AL player has hit for the cycle  twice in a season.
• 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; AL Red Sox-1979); John Olerud (NL Mets-1997; AL Mariners-2001); Michael Cuddyer (AL Twins-2009; NL Rockies-2014).
• 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 NY CF Ben Chapman). Gehrig wasn’t  satisfied with a three-bagger and was thrown out at home (CF-SS-C) trying  for an inside the park home run – thus getting credit for the triple he needed for a cycle.

THE HOME RUN CYCLE

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.

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