Gene Stephens first American Leaguer to collect three hits in one inning.
Sixty year ago today (June 18, 1953) Boston Red Sox left fielder Gene Stephens – a 20-year-old rookie (only 21 games the year before) – became the first American Leaguer to collect three hits in a single inning. In the seventh inning of the Red Sox’ 23-3 win over the Tigers (at Boston), Stephens went single-double-single as the Sox plated 17 runs. Stephens scored twice and drove in three runs that inning. The three hits were his only safeties of the game, in which Boston collected 27 hits, as he finished three-four-six with three runs, three RBI and one walk.
Stephens’ breakout inning was remarkable in that he finished the season hitting just .205 in 78 games. Stephen, a career .240 hitter lasted twelve seasons as a backup outfielder, playing in 964 games. For one inning, he was truly unstoppable.
The only other AL player to collect three hits an inning also took the field for the Red Sox. Center fielder and lead-off hitter Johnny Damon, on June 27, 2003, nearly hit for the cycle collecting a double (he later scored), a triple (two RBI and he later scored) and an RBI single, as Boston ran up a 14-run first inning against Florida (in Boston). The game ended 25-8, with the Red Sox racking up 28 hits. Damon came to the plate four more times in the contest, but didn’t complete the cycle – collecting two more singles. His day went five-for-seven, with three runs scored and three RBI. Damon hit .284 over 18 MLB seasons (1995-2012), with 2,769 hits in 2,490 games.
Three players have collected three hits in an inning in the National League – all before 1900 and ALL IN THE SAME INNING OF THE SAME GAME. It came as the Chicago White Stockings (who later became the Cubs) scored 18 runs in the seventh inning of a 26-6 win over the Detroit Wolverines. In the seventh inning of that that game the White Stockings’ Tom Burns collected two doubles and a home run, Fred Pfeffer smacked a double and two singles, and Ned Williamson rapped a double and two singles. It was the final game of a three-game series in Chicago, with the White Stockings winning the first two by scores of 13-1 and 14-1. For the season, Burns hit .294 (later finishing a 13-year MLB career at .266); Williamson hit .276 (later finishing a 13-year MLB career at .255); and Pfeffer hit .235 (later wrapping up a 16-year MLB career at .256.)
BBRT also gives a shout out and congratulations to Woodside (CA) High School Junior Brad Degnan who not only collected three hits in one inning , but rapped three homers in one inning. It was in the 19-run first inning of Woodside’s 24-6 win over Westmoor High on April 18, 2013. Brad, by the way, wears lucky number 13.
Like your site…….show more record stats.
“who not only collected three hits in one inning , but rapped three homers in one inning. It was in the 14-run first inning of Woodside’s 24-6 win over Westmoor High on April 18, 2013” If Woodside is using a nine man lineup, this is impossible.
They scored 19 runs in the inning which made it possible.
Believe Tony Cloninger hit two grand slams in one game. Was it the same inning…….Only pitcher to accomplish that feat…..
Ted Williams hit three home runs in one game twice in one season…..I think it was 1957……
Who was pitcher who hit home run in first major league at bat then never hit another in his hall of fame career……? (Relief pitcher for Orioles).
Would like little anecdotes…….like:—–Red Sox clinched 1946 A.L Pennant, 1-0. Ted Williams scored only run…….What was the oddity of that……ANSWER——Ted hit inside the park homer. Only one of his career……….Thank you for the great job you do……I’d love to help with stories……..Jim T.
Some say Joe Dimaggio’s record hit streak of 56 games will never be broken. Others says Johnny Vandermeer’s record of 2 consecutive no hit games will never be broken,( I agree ). The stupid 100 pitch count guarantees that! However, Fernando Tatis record is somewhat safe. In order for it to be broken, at a minimum 23 guys would have to bat. The guy would have to at the very least be the 4th, 13th and 22nd batter of the inning. Pretty safe, but with the steroids, juiced ball, short fences and the craze for homeruns, it is not as safe as Vandermeer’s record….