Hitting for the cycle is one of baseball’s most distinctive milestones. It highlights a wide range of hitting abilities in a single performance, which is why it has earned a special place in the sport’s history.
Understanding which types of hits contribute, how frequently cycles occur, and the commonly recognised variations makes the concept easier to follow. Some players have even made it a personal hallmark by achieving it more than once.
This blog post breaks everything down with examples and context so you can see how a cycle might unfold during one game.
Read on to learn more.
What Is a Cycle in Baseball?
A cycle happens when a player records four distinct base hits in the same official game. Typically, these are considered to be a single, double, triple, and home run, though the sequence may vary.
Each hit must be credited officially under the rules of scoring. Methods of reaching base that aren’t officially hits—such as errors, fielder’s choices, walks, hit-by-pitch, sacrifices, or catcher’s interference—do not count toward the cycle.
If a game extends into extra innings, any hits made during that period are included in the same contest. So, if a batter completes all four hits during extra innings, it still counts as a cycle.
Which Hits Count Toward a Cycle?
To qualify, a player must record all four types of hits in separate plate appearances within the same game, and each hit must be officially scored. What matters is how the scoring rules classify the play—not how far the ball travels or whether a runner gains extra bases due to defensive plays.
For example, if a single later allows a runner to reach third because of a misplay, the hit itself remains a single for the purposes of a cycle. Similarly, reaching base via fielder’s choice, error, or walk is not considered part of the cycle.
Single, Double, Triple, and Home Run Explained
The single is the most basic hit: the batter reaches first base without the intervention of an error or fielder’s choice. Advancing further due to throws or subsequent plays doesn’t change its classification.
A double is credited when a batter reaches second base safely. This also includes ground-rule doubles, such as when a ball bounces out of play under specific ground rules.
A triple occurs when a batter reaches third base on a hit, with no error contributing. Triples are less common than singles or doubles, often requiring precise placement, speed, and favourable conditions, which is one reason why completing a cycle might be challenging.
A home run is recorded when a batter rounds all bases. This includes balls hit over the fence as well as inside-the-park home runs, provided the official ruling confirms a home run rather than a hit plus an error.
Other outcomes, such as walks, sacrifices, or reaching base via errors, are not counted as hits and do not contribute toward a cycle.
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How Often Do Players Hit for the Cycle?
Cycles are uncommon. In the history of Major League Baseball (MLB), roughly 350 official cycles have been recorded across all teams and seasons.
Given the vast number of games played over more than a century, this relatively low figure shows how rare it is for a player to collect all four distinct hits in a single contest.
While getting one or two hits in a game happens regularly, achieving a single, double, triple, and home run—each in separate plate appearances and officially credited—is far less frequent. It requires a mix of contact, power, speed, timing, and favourable circumstances.
Are There Different Types of Cycles?
Officially, a cycle is counted the same regardless of the order in which hits occur. The player simply needs a single, double, triple, and home run in one game.
However, fans and commentators sometimes distinguish between variations:
- Natural cycle: hits occur in ascending order — single, double, triple, then home run.
- Reverse-order cycle: hits are collected in descending order. This is a colloquial term; the official record treats all cycles equally.
Who Holds Records for Hitting Cycles?
The record for the most career cycles in MLB is three, a mark shared by six players: John Reilly, Bob Meusel, Babe Herman, Adrián Beltré, Trea Turner, and Christian Yelich.
- John Reilly achieved his career cycles in the 19th century.
- Bob Meusel recorded three cycles between 1921 and 1928.
- Babe Herman completed his in the early 1930s.
- Adrián Beltré hit all three in the same stadium during his career.
- Trea Turner has three in the modern era.
- Christian Yelich achieved his third in May 2022, becoming the sixth player to do so in MLB history.
Many players have hit for the cycle twice, but only a small group have reached three. Multiple cycles over a career are rare, highlighting the difficulty of achieving them.
Can a Cycle Happen in a Single Game?
Yes. A cycle must be completed within a single game, meaning the batter needs to record a single, double, triple, and home run all in that one contest. Hits from previous or future games do not count toward the cycle.
If a game goes into extra innings, any hits during that period are included in the same game, so a cycle can still be completed after the regular innings. For those thinking about placing a bet on a player hitting for the cycle, the potential opportunity extends throughout the entire game, including extra innings.
It is important to follow responsible gambling practices if you’re placing any wagers on cycles. This includes setting clear limits for any amount you might spend, understanding the rules of the bet, and keeping track of your activity to avoid unintended consequences.
