Arizona Diamondbacks: Aaron Hill Hits for 2nd Cycle of Season, Makes History

Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Aaron Hill has hit for the cycle twice in the past 11 days. He made history in doing so, as the last time a player had two cycles in the same season happened in 1931, by Babe Herman of the Brooklyn Robins (h/t Nick Piecoro for the link).

The history goes deeper than that, though:

"

Only one other player in baseball history has had two cycles in less than two weeks: Tip O'Neill on April 30 + May 7, 1887. 125 years ago!

— Jim McLennan (@AZSnakepit) June 30, 2012

"

[See the video of Hill's complete cycle here.]

Do you understand the significance of what Aaron Hill has done? It’s been 81 years since anyone has hit for the cycle twice in the same season, and as Mr. McLennan pointed out, 125 years since someone did so in less than two weeks.

I am having a hard time wrapping my mind around this.

Hill is now batting .302 on the season—and now .390 over his past 10 games, with 4 HR, 10 RBI and 10 runs scored.

Is it time to start considering Hill for the All-Star game? With polling closed it may be too little, too late—but he’s certainly worthy.

Going into play Friday, Hill was third among all major-league second basemen in batting average (.293), third in on-base percentage (.356), second in slugging percentage (.493), fourth in HR (10), sixth in RBI (35) and tied for the MLB lead in triples (4).

Hill is also playing great defense at second, making the difficult look routine almost nightly. His .991 fielding percentage is good enough for eighth in the majors among his peers at second base.

"

"

Aaron Hill: 4th player in MLB history with 2 cycles in 1 season, joining Babe Herman (1931), Tip O'Neill (1887), John Reilly (1883). #Elias

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 30, 2012

"

"

Four players in the history of major league baseball.

For perspective, Babe Ruth, Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron and Tony Gwynn never hit for the cycle. And while on the subject, no one in San Diego Padres franchise history has ever hit for the cycle.

If you witnessed this feat, whether in person, on television or on the radio, consider yourself lucky. The likelihood this ever happens again is not good.