Orioles rookie passes up chance to hit for cycle

Baltimore Orioles third baseman Gunnar Henderson. Reggie Hildred-USA TODAY Sports

Orioles rookie shocks teammates by passing up chance to hit for cycle

By Adam Gretz | Last updated 8/21/23

Baltimore Orioles rookie Gunnar Henderson strolled to the plate in the eighth of Sunday's game against the Oakland A's needing just a single to hit for the cycle.

And he apparently wanted nothing to do with it.

Henderson ripped a line drive down the right field line for his fourth hit of the game and instead of stopping at first base to accomplish the cycle with a home run, triple, double and single all in the same game he just kept right on rolling into second base for his second double of the game.

His teammates in the dugout could not believe it.

Needing a single for the cycle, Gunnar Henderson laces a double down the line instead! pic.twitter.com/w8hGz1demx
— MLB (@MLB) August 20, 2023

The funniest thing about that situation is it would not have hurt the Orioles if he had a moment of selfishness and decided to stop at first base. Baltimore was already cruising to a blowout win and the extra 90 feet were not really needed.

But Henderson does not seem to be wired that way wanted the fourth extra base hit.

It also makes total sense.

Hitting for the cycle is a rare accomplishment, but it is also the result of a lot of randomness and it is not always the best possible day a hitter could have. You know what is better statistically than hitting for the cycle? The day Henderson had with four extra base hits. It is more total bases, it is a higher slugging percentage, and it is a more impressive showing of talent at the plate.

It also shows that Henderson never takes a play off and is always going to take the extra base when he can. That is a big part of what gets players to the Major Leagues and having young players like that is a big reason why the Orioles are in first place in the American League and emerging as a World Series contender that is going to be around for a long time.

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