Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Kelly 1st to hit for March cycle, ends Cubs' drought

Written by 
Published in Baseball
Tuesday, 01 April 2025 01:23

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Carson Kelly had come close to hitting for the cycle, yet that elusive triple kept holding him back. He had just two triples over a 10-year big league career before Monday night.

That's when Kelly became the first Chicago Cubs player in 32 years to hit for the cycle. He tripled in the eighth inning of an 18-3 rout of the Athletics -- ending the longest drought without a cycle by any team in the National League.

Kelly even walked twice in the first major league game at Sutter Health Park, the minor league ballpark serving as the new home for the A's this season.

"I've been in this same position before where I needed a triple for the cycle. If anybody's ever looked up my numbers, I have two triples, so odds are not in my favor, right?" the 30-year-old Kelly said. "I didn't get it done the first time. This time I'm like, oh, I'm just going to put a good at-bat together. Hit it, like, 'Oh yeah, pretty good.' Then I hit first and saw it ricochet and I was like, 'Oh boy, this is it right here, I got to go.' That's probably the fastest you'll ever see me run."

Kelly homered in the fourth inning, had a two-run single in the fifth, doubled and walked in the sixth, and tripled in the eighth. The previous Cubs player to hit for the cycle was Mark Grace on May 9, 1993, against San Diego -- before Kelly was even born in 1994. The team had 342 near-cycles since Grace's feat, meaning the particular player was one required hit short.

According to ESPN Research, Kelly is the first player with a cycle in March, and just the 17th catcher with a cycle in MLB history. The last catcher to do so was when J.T. Realmuto of the Philadelphia Phillies accomplished the feat on June 12, 2023.

And from a franchise perspective, no Cubs catcher had registered a cycle since Randy Hundley did so Aug. 11, 1966, against the Houston Astros.

Kelly also became just the third major leaguer to hit for the cycle and walk twice in the same game. Joe Gordon did it for the Yankees in 1940, and Mickey Cochrane in 1937 for the Philadelphia A's.

The Royals hold the longest stretch without a cycle in the majors. George Brett was the last player to do it for Kansas City on July 25, 1990, against Toronto.

Kelly's run-scoring triple made it 17-3. And he was thrilled to make that his third career triple.

"The two times I had triples both guys fell down, like ran into the wall and fell down," he said. "The odds are not in your favor on that."

But this time, the ball went off the wall in right-center and Kelly ran like mad.

"I didn't realize he had a chance at a cycle, but when that ball kicked off the wall the dugout started going crazy, so I figured something was going on," Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. "They're fun days, they're rare days and they're once-in-a-lifetime-type days for players."

Before Monday's game, Kelly even pulled out a new bat -- "one and done," he joked afterward.

He couldn't believe it had been since Grace that the Cubs had someone hit for the cycle.

"I know Mark Grace, too, in Arizona. I'll have to hit him up," Kelly said. "Pretty special. Great accomplishment. Something I never thought I would get. I'm just very fortunate and blessed. A lot of hard work, a lot of great teammates pumping me up. So all in all just a very special night."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Read 10 times

Soccer

PGMOL: Tarkowski deserved red against Liverpool

PGMOL: Tarkowski deserved red against Liverpool

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsPGMOL has admitted that Everton defender James Tarkowski should hav...

LAFC blanks Messi, Miami in CCC QF first leg

LAFC blanks Messi, Miami in CCC QF first leg

LOS ANGELES -- Nathan Ordaz scored in the 57th minute, and Los Angeles FC kept Lionel Messi off the...

USWNT thrilled to welcome back 'unique' Rodman

USWNT thrilled to welcome back 'unique' Rodman

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsU.S. women's national team captain Lindsey Heaps hailed teammate Tr...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

AD clears 'mental hurdle,' keys Mavs' win late

AD clears 'mental hurdle,' keys Mavs' win late

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsDALLAS -- Anthony Davis capped his most complete performance in a D...

Rockets' Brooks faces 1-game ban after 16th tech

Rockets' Brooks faces 1-game ban after 16th tech

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsHOUSTON -- Rockets forward Dillon Brooks faces an automatic one-gam...

Baseball

Death of Gardner's son pinned to carbon monoxide

Death of Gardner's son pinned to carbon monoxide

EmailPrintSAN JOSE, Costa Rica -- Carbon monoxide poisoning was the cause of death of the teenage so...

Ohtani's walk-off pushes Dodgers to historic 8-0

Ohtani's walk-off pushes Dodgers to historic 8-0

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLOS ANGELES -- Aside from his ability to pitch and hit and stretch...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated