Hitting for the cycle means a batter gets a single, a double, a triple and a home run in the same game, in any order. It has happened only about 350 times in MLB history, roughly as often as a no hitter, because it requires the rarest hit in the game, the triple, plus a home run and enough at bats to collect all four. A natural cycle, with the hits in order from single to homer, is rarer still, and a reverse cycle runs the other way.
The Four Hits
| Hit | Why it is the hard part |
|---|---|
| Single | The easiest; about two thirds of all hits |
| Double | Common for gap hitters |
| Triple | The rarest hit; most players get only a few a season, and sluggers who homer often rarely have the speed |
| Home run | Requires power; the pairing of power and triple speed is what makes cycles scarce |
Cycle Variations
| Type | Definition |
|---|---|
| Cycle | Single, double, triple and home run in any order |
| Natural cycle | The four hits in ascending order, single first and homer last |
| Reverse natural cycle | Home run first, then triple, double and single |
| Home run cycle | A solo, two run, three run and grand slam homer in one game; never done in the majors |
Cycles in the Playoffs
Postseason cycles are extraordinarily rare because playoff pitching is better and games are tighter. The best known is Brock Holt’s for the Red Sox in Game 3 of the 2018 ALDS at Yankee Stadium, the first cycle in postseason history, which came in a 16 to 1 Boston win.
Related
No hitter vs. perfect game · What is a Triple Crown · What is a golden sombrero · Yankees vs. Red Sox playoff history
Definitions and history are from the MLB.com glossary.