Buzz
Mark Buehrle’s perfect game for the White Sox in July and Eric Bruntlett’s unassisted triple play in August are just two examples of the extraordinary moments in baseball history. Over roughly 750,000 major league games, incredible feats have occurred: players hitting multiple grand slams in a single inning, pitchers removed without recording an out, resulting in an infinite ERA, and fielders committing three errors in one play. These ten unforgettable moments—spanning pitching, hitting, defense, and base running—will leave you in awe. Witnessing such events is a reminder of baseball’s rich tradition and historical significance.
10. The Thrill of Stealing Home
Stealing home is one of baseball’s most electrifying plays. It happens when a bold runner on third base decides to dash for home instead of waiting for a hit. This high-risk maneuver is rarely attempted due to its difficulty. Jayson Werth of the Phillies successfully stole home in May 2009, while Jackie Robinson famously executed it during the 1955 World Series. Ty Cobb holds the all-time record with an astonishing 54 steals of home, a feat that seems almost unimaginable in today’s game.
9. Inside-the-Park Home Run
When a player lacks the power to hit a ball over the fence, they can still achieve a home run by circling all the bases in a single play, showcasing their exceptional speed. Over the past 50 years, inside-the-park home runs have become increasingly rare, occurring approximately once every 158 home runs. Tom McCreery set the record with three in one game back in 1897. In World Series history, there have been nine such home runs, with Roberto Clemente being the only player to hit a walk-off inside-the-park grand slam. Ichiro Suzuki stands alone as the only player to accomplish this feat in an All-Star Game.
8. Six Hits in a Game
While most players would celebrate a 3-for-6 performance, a select few have achieved far more. This rare feat has been accomplished 96 times, with only two players, Rennie Stennett and Wilbert Robinson, recording 7 hits in a single game. Freddy Sanchez is the latest member of the 6-hit club, achieving a perfect 6-for-6 in May 2009. Cal McVey even managed to do it twice within four days back in 1876.
7. The Ultimate Grand Slam
This isn’t about a Denny’s breakfast but the dramatic scenario of being down by three runs with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth or extra innings. The batter steps up, swings, and sends the ball over the fence, clearing the bases and winning the game by one run. While many kids dream of this moment in their backyards, only 22 players have achieved it in Major League Baseball. Thirteen of these occurred with two outs, and Chris Hoiles of the Orioles is the only one to do it with a full count.
6. Golden Sombrero
The Golden Sombrero refers to a game where a player strikes out four times, a dubious distinction often joked about. Ideally, the player on the receiving end can laugh it off. The term originates from hockey’s 'hat-trick,' which signifies three goals in a game, so adding one more strikeout makes it a 'bigger hat.' Mike Schmidt, widely regarded as one of the greatest third basemen in history, once had what he called the worst performance in MLB history—striking out four times on just twelve pitches.
5. No-Hitter
A no-hitter occurs when a pitcher (or multiple pitchers) prevents the opposing team from recording a single hit. Only 263 no-hitters have been recorded in baseball history. A perfect game is a type of no-hitter, but with the added condition that no opposing player reaches base by any means. While rare, it’s possible to lose a game despite throwing a no-hitter, as has happened once. Every MLB team has been on the losing end of a no-hitter, but four teams—the Rays, Rockies, Padres, and notably the Mets—have never thrown one. Nolan Ryan holds the record with seven no-hitters, though none were perfect games.
4. Unassisted Triple Play
A triple play is a rare and game-altering event, but an unassisted triple play is even more extraordinary. Only fifteen have occurred in baseball history. While athleticism is required, luck plays a significant role, as the conditions must be perfect. The inning must have no outs, with two runners on base employing a hit-and-run strategy—leaving the base immediately after contact. The ball must be hit sharply to an infielder, usually the second baseman or shortstop, who catches the line drive for the first out, steps on a base for the second, and tags a runner for the third. Eric Bruntlett, a Phillies backup second baseman, achieved this in August 2009 during the ninth inning, despite committing an error earlier in the same inning.
3. A Perfect Game
Facing 27 batters and retiring all 27 is the ultimate achievement for any pitcher. In Major League Baseball history, only eighteen pitchers have thrown a perfect game. To put this in perspective, more people have orbited the moon than have achieved this feat. Mark Buehrle of the White Sox became the eighteenth in July 2009. Nine pitchers have come close, retiring 26 batters in a row, but fell short of the final out. No pitcher has thrown more than one perfect game, and Don Larsen remains the only one to do it in the postseason during the 1956 World Series. The Yankees boast three perfect games, including two just 14 months apart. Interestingly, Babe Ruth, initially a pitcher, was ejected after walking the first batter and arguing the call. His replacement, Ernie Shore, retired 26 consecutive batters, but this isn’t counted as a perfect game.
2. Four Home Runs in a Game
As the saying goes, 'chicks dig the long ball,' and hitting four home runs in a single game is a power hitter’s ultimate dream. Only sixteen players have achieved this rare feat. Carlos Delgado was the most recent, accomplishing it in 2003. Shawn Green and Mike Cameron did it just 21 days apart in May 2002. Remarkably, Lou Gehrig’s four-home-run game coincided with Tony Lazzeri hitting for the natural cycle in 1932.
1. The Natural Cycle
Hitting for the cycle occurs when a player records a single, double, triple, and home run in one game. The natural cycle is even rarer, requiring these hits to be achieved in that exact order. This feat demands a unique blend of power and speed, and only fourteen players have accomplished it. Gary Matthews Jr. was the most recent to achieve a natural cycle in 2006. Tony Lazzeri remains the only player to complete his natural cycle with a grand slam, which he did in 1932.
