When it comes to Philadelphia Phillies players who have hit for the cycle, believe it or not, it has been even more rare than no-hitters in the history of the franchise. One would think it should have happened more frequently, especially with the current era of the likes of Bryce Harper, J.T. Realmuto and Trea Turner (who had done it thrice with the Washington Nationals), and in the previous era with Bobby Abreu, Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and Shane Victorino.
As a matter of fact, there have been only nine cycles in Phillies history. If you're unfamiliar with the term, it encompasses registering a single, double, triple and home run in any order during the course of a single game. Among the eight Phillies players to hit for the cycle, not a single one of them achieved a “natural cycle,” which is collecting the hits listed above in the exact sequential order.
What are the most recent cycles in Phillies history?
In terms of Phillies players who have done it recently — during this century — just two have managed to get into the record books so far.
June 12, 2023: J.T. Realmuto
J.T. Realmuto became the first Phillies catcher, and the 17th in MLB history, to hit for the cycle. He legged out a double in his final at-bat in the ninth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks to complete the feat. However, it was in a losing cause as the Phillies fell 9-8, making the accomplishment a little bittersweet in the end.
J.T. Realmuto, the first Phillies player to do this since 2004. 👀 🍾 pic.twitter.com/jHzkS5Qf2y
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) June 13, 2023
June 28, 2004: David Bell
Prior to Realmuto, it had been almost two decades since the Phillies last recorded a cycle. That honor went to David Bell back in 2004. At the time, Bell finished with the best season of his MLB career in terms of batting average (.291) and OPS (.821).
Playing at Citizens Bank Park against the Montreal Expos, he needed a triple, which is generally the hardest one to get, to finish off the cycle and did so in the seventh inning. Bell also recorded six RBI in the match, helping the Phillies to a 14-6 win.
On this day in 2004, David Bell hit for the cycle in a 14-6 win over Montreal. pic.twitter.com/wRKXJSkiCa
— Citizens Bank Park (@PhilliesCBP) June 28, 2021
There were only two Phillies cycles in the second half of the 20th century
Going back even further into history, into the 20th century, two more Phillies achieved the feat in the latter half of the 1900s.
Aug. 25, 1995: Gregg Jefferies
When it comes to Gregg Jefferies, people probably remember him most from his time with the New York Mets. But his moment of fame actually came with the Phillies as he accomplished a cycle in impressive fashion.
Because the Phillies were blowing out the Los Angeles Dodgers in the process, Jefferies completed his cycle quite early — by the fifth inning — making it one of the fastest cycles in MLB history (Mike Lansing holds the record for achieving the feat in four innings in 2000). The Phillies ultimately won the game 17-4.
June 27, 1963: Johnny Callison
Finally, if almost 80 years ago is still considered recent, then Johnny Callison’s cycle in 1963 is the next closest occurrence for the Phillies. The three-time All-Star had the game of his life on June 27 that season against the Pittsburgh Pirates as he helped the Phillies to a resounding 13-4 win.
Unfortunately, less than 10,000 were on hand in Pittsburgh to witness the rare feat. At least diehard Phillies fans won’t ever forget it.
Let's round up the remaining cycles in Phillies history. Chuck Klein is the only player in team history to do it twice, on May 26, 1933, and on July 1, 1931. Cy Williams also accomplished the feat on Aug. 5, 1927. Sam Thompson and Lave Cross both hit for cycles in 1894, on Aug. 17 and April 24, respectively.