A natural cycle in baseball is a rare feat where a batter hits a single, then a double, then a triple, and finally a home run, all in that specific order within the same game. This sequence of hits is called a "natural cycle" because the hits progress in ascending order of total bases achieved
. Hitting for the cycle itself-getting a single, double, triple, and home run in one game-is already an uncommon accomplishment, having occurred fewer than 400 times in Major League Baseball history. The natural cycle is even rarer, having been achieved only about 14 times in modern MLB history
. In summary:
- Cycle: Single + Double + Triple + Home Run in any order in one game.
- Natural Cycle: The hits occur in order - single, then double, then triple, then home run.
This makes the natural cycle one of the most difficult and visually satisfying hitting achievements in baseball
