Colorado Rockies outfielder Michael Cuddyer wasted no time re-acclimating himself to major league pitching, hitting for the cycle on his first day back from the disabled list in the second game of Sunday’s doubleheader versus the Cincinnati Reds.
Cuddyer, who missed more than two months of action due to a shoulder injury, registered just a lone single in five at-bats during the first game of Sunday’s doubleheader.
No matter, because he proved his health without question in the second game, becoming just the fourth player in major league history to hit for the cycle in two leagues, per MLB Stat of the Day.
The other three players—John Reilly, Bob Watson and John Olerud—are similar to Cuddyer in that they had excellent careers but aren’t considered worthy of the Hall of Fame. Olerud actually has a decent case to join the Hall, but as a medium-power first baseman who largely played in the steroid era, he has never quite gotten the respect he deserves.
In any case, Cuddyer—who previously hit for the cycle as a Minnesota Twin in May 2009—became the 12th-oldest player since 1914 to accomplish the feat, at 35 years and 143 days, per MLB Stat of the Day.
In light of the veteran outfielder’s age, recent injury and lack of speed, it’s rather surprising that he tallied the first cycle of the 2014 season. However, Cuddyer’s home park of Coors Field is rather inviting for triples, of which he surprisingly has 41 in his 14-year career.
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