Hitting for the cycle facts for kids
In baseball, a player hits for the cycle when they get four special hits in one game. This means they hit a single, a double, a triple, and a home run. It does not matter what order these hits happen in. Getting all four hits in the exact order of single, double, triple, and then home run is called a "natural cycle." It is a very rare and exciting achievement in baseball!
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What is Hitting for the Cycle?
Hitting for the cycle is one of the toughest things to do in baseball. It shows a player can hit all kinds of pitches. They need to be fast enough for a triple and strong enough for a home run. It's like getting a perfect score in a hitting challenge!
The Four Special Hits
To hit for the cycle, a player needs to get four different types of hits:
- Single: The player hits the ball and safely reaches first base.
- Double: The player hits the ball and safely reaches second base.
- Triple: The player hits the ball and safely reaches third base. This is the hardest hit to get!
- Home Run: The player hits the ball out of the park. They get to run around all the bases and score a point.
What is a Natural Cycle?
A natural cycle is when a player gets their hits in a specific order. They must hit a single first, then a double, then a triple, and finally a home run. This is even rarer than a regular cycle! Only a few players have ever achieved this amazing feat. For example, Tony Lazzeri hit the only natural cycle for the New York Yankees in 1932.
Why is it So Hard?
Hitting for the cycle is very difficult because it requires different skills. A player needs speed for a triple and power for a home run. They also need to be lucky enough to get all four hits in one game. Most games don't even have a triple hit by any player! This makes the cycle a truly special moment.
Memorable Moments in Cycle History
Many great players have hit for the cycle. Curry Foley was the first player in Major League Baseball history to do it in 1882. Later, Harry Davis hit the first cycle in the American League in 1901.
Some players have even hit for the cycle more than once! Bob Meusel is one of only six players with three career cycles. More recently, Christian Yelich hit for the cycle twice in one season in 2018. That was super impressive!
Other cycles have had unique moments. Miguel Tejada's cycle included a grand slam, which is a home run with all bases loaded. George Brett finished his cycle with a walk-off home run, winning the game for his team. And Ian Kinsler went 6-for-6 on the day of his cycle, meaning he got a hit every time he batted!
Images for kids
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Curry Foley was the first player in Major League Baseball history to hit for the cycle, in 1882 for the Buffalo Bisons.
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Harry Davis hit the first cycle in American League history, in 1901 for the Philadelphia Athletics.
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Michihiro Ogasawara hit the only cycle during the 2008 Nippon Professional Baseball season.
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Sam Crawford and Ty Cobb, the top two players in MLB history in triples
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Bob Meusel is one of only six MLB players with three career cycles.
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Christian Yelich is the most recent player to hit for the cycle twice in a season, in 2018.
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The only natural cycle by a member of the New York Yankees was hit by Tony Lazzeri in 1932.
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Luke Scott's reverse cycle in 2006 was the first in nearly 40 years.
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Miguel Tejada's cycle included a grand slam.
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George Brett completed his cycle with a walk-off home run.
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Ian Kinsler went 6-for-6 on the day of his cycle.
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In 1901, Nap Lajoie hit for the cycle and won the AL Triple Crown.
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Arihito Muramatsu is one of five players to hit a natural cycle in NPB.
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