Players Who Hit for the Cycle – How Rare Is It and What Makes It Special?

Hitting for the cycle—collecting a single, double, triple, and home run in one game—is an achievement that remains remarkably rare in baseball. Most players go their entire careers without ever accomplishing this feat, despite hundreds of games each season.

Fans and analysts track cycles closely because they highlight a player's versatility and skill within a single contest. Only a handful of players manage to do it each year, making every instance a notable event.

This blog post explores how scarce hitting for the cycle is, who has accomplished it, and why it's so difficult to achieve. Readers interested in baseball milestones can expect a clear look at what makes the cycle special and memorable in the sport’s history.

Players Who Hit for the Cycle – How Rare Is It?

Hitting for the cycle is a unique baseball achievement that stands out for its difficulty and rarity. It involves skill, timing, and some luck, making it one of the most intriguing feats in Major League Baseball.

Definition and Rules of Hitting for the Cycle

A player is credited with hitting for the cycle when they record a single, double, triple, and home run in the same game. The order of the hits does not matter.

Each hit type must be achieved only once. For example, if a player hits two home runs, only one counts toward the cycle. All hits must occur in regulation and extra innings and be achieved in official at-bats; walks and other ways of reaching base do not count.

Cycles are recognized by official MLB records, and partial cycles (missing any one of the four hits) are not counted. The batter must complete all four types of hits before the game ends to officially achieve the cycle.

Historical Frequency and Rarity in Major League Baseball

Cycles are uncommon compared to other offensive achievements. As of 2024, there have been just over 340 cycles in more than 220,000 Major League games since the 1800s.

This averages out to fewer than three cycles per MLB season. Some seasons may see more, while others have none. For comparison, no-hitters and hitting for the cycle occur at similar rates, but cycles remain slightly more common over time.

Some teams and ballparks have seen cycles more often, while others have gone decades without one. The rarity adds to the accomplishment’s prestige and interest among fans and players.

Notable Players Who Have Hit for the Cycle

Several notable players have hit for the cycle, with some doing it more than once. John Reilly, Bob Meusel, Babe Herman, Adrian Beltre, and Christian Yelich are among the few who accomplished it three times.

Hall of Famers such as Lou Gehrig, Rogers Hornsby, and Joe DiMaggio have also recorded cycles. Some cycles are memorable for unusual events, such as rookies achieving the feat, or players hitting a cycle in both leagues.

Here is a table showing select players with multiple cycles:

Player Total Cycles

Adrian Beltre 3

Babe Herman 3

Christian Yelich 3

Trea Turner 3

Factors Influencing Cycle Occurrences

Several factors affect the likelihood of a player hitting for the cycle. Ballpark dimensions can make triples harder or easier to achieve, affecting the odds.

The player’s hitting style matters, as strong power hitters often lack the speed for triples, while speedsters may struggle with home runs. The lineup position can influence opportunities as players batting earlier may get more at-bats.

Game situations, such as extra innings or blowout games, can provide additional chances for the cycle. Changes in pitching, defensive shifts, and modern analytics also play a role in how often the cycle occurs today.