Triple play: Kelly hits for Cubs’ first cycle in 32 years
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Carson Kelly thought he might have a chance at a cycle once he touched first base. But the catcher didn’t think it was a good chance, and he certainly didn’t realize he would become the first Cubs player to achieve the feat in 32 years.
In the eighth inning of an 18-3 blowout Cubs win Monday over the Athletics, Kelly had already homered, singled and doubled when he lofted a deep fly to center at Sutter Health Park that veered to the right.
“I’ve been in the same position before where I needed a triple for the cycle,” Kelly said. “And if anybody’s ever looked up my numbers, I have two triples. So odds are not in my favor, right?
“This time, I’m like, ‘Oh, I’m just gonna put a good at bat together.’ I hit it, I’m like, ‘Oh yeah, pretty good.’ And then I hit first (base), and I saw it ricochet.”
The ball cued off the wall in center and back toward left field, away from any Athletics outfielder’s grasp, and Kelly turned on the afterburners.
“I was like ‘Oh boy, this is it, right here, I gotta go,’” he said. “It’s probably the fastest you’ll ever see me run.”
A reporter informed Kelly he wasn’t alive the last time a Cubs player hit for the cycle. Mark Grace did it on May 9, 1993, and Kelly was born the next year.
“Really?” Kelly said. “That’s, I mean, pretty special. Great accomplishment, something that I never thought I would get.”
No Cubs catcher had hit for the cycle since Randy Hundley did so Aug. 11, 1966. According to Elias, Kelly joins Joe Gordon and Mickey Cochrane as the only players in MLB history to hit for the cycle and draw two walks.
The first three hits for Kelly came in consecutive innings: He led off the fourth inning with a line-drive homer to left, his first long ball of the year. He singled in the fifth, and doubled in the sixth.
Kelly signed a two-year, $10 million deal with the Cubs in December.
“I think everybody on the team can talk about how much we love Carson,” said starter Ben Brown, who went five innings and allowed the three A’s runs. “He’s just showed up and been such a joy to be with, and he’s an incredible baseball player that’s gonna do some awesome things in Chicago.”
Before Kelly, Weston Wilson of the Philadelphia Phillies was the last MLB player to hit for the cycle, doing so Aug. 15 last season.
Kelly became the first catcher to hit for the cycle since the Phillies’ J.T. Realmuto in 2023. No other No. 9 hitter had hit for the cycle since the Angels’ Chone Figgins in 2006.
As a team, the Cubs knocked out 21 hits, 11 for extra bases, and drew 10 walks in a drubbing of the Athletics that spoiled the team’s debut game in their new temporary home.
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