Baseball has been a beloved, classic American pastime for centuries and has been the source of many cherished memories and moments. But what is the rarest thing in baseball? Let’s explore the answer to this question and discover some of the most rare and unique baseball events, facts, and moments that have taken place throughout the game’s history.
Unassisted Triple Plays
One of the rarest things that can occur in baseball is an unassisted triple play, which happens when a fielder catches a line drive, steps on a base to double off a runner, and then tags another runner out all by himself. This remarkable feat has only occurred 15 times in Major League Baseball history, and some of the most famous players to accomplish it include Ozzie Smith, Bill Wambsganss, and Jim Gideon.
No-Hitters
A no-hitter is a game in which a pitcher throws a complete game without giving up a single hit. This is a very rare occurrence and has happened just 293 times in Major League Baseball history. Some of the most famous no-hitters of all time include Don Larsen’s perfect game in the 1956 World Series, Sandy Koufax’s 1965 perfect game, and the Houston Astros’ combined no-hitter in 2003.
Grand Slams
A grand slam is a home run that is hit with the bases loaded, and it results in four runs being scored on a single play. This is a rare occurrence in baseball and has only happened 1,511 times in Major League Baseball history. Some of the most famous grand slams in baseball include Bill Mazeroski’s game-winning home run in the 1960 World Series and Kirk Gibson’s iconic 1988 World Series home run.
Cycles
A cycle is a rare feat in baseball that occurs when a batter hits a single, double, triple, and a home run in the same game. This is a very rare occurrence and has only happened 307 times in Major League Baseball history. Some of the most famous players to hit for the cycle include Ichiro Suzuki, Derek Jeter, and Joe DiMaggio.
Four Home Runs in One Game
Another rare occurrence in baseball is when a player hits four home runs in a single game. This has only happened 15 times in Major League Baseball history, with the most recent instance occurring in 2017 when Scooter Gennett accomplished the feat.
Consecutive Walk-Off Home Runs
A walk-off home run is a home run that is hit in the bottom of the ninth inning or later to win the game for the team that is hitting. A rare event that has happened just twice in Major League Baseball history is when a team hits consecutive walk-off home runs to win the game.
Multiple Home Runs in One Inning
Another rare occurrence in baseball is when a player hits multiple home runs in the same inning. This has only happened 18 times in Major League Baseball history, with the most recent instance occurring in 2017 when Aaron Judge hit three home runs in the first inning of a game.
Comeback Wins
A comeback win is when a team is trailing by multiple runs in the late innings of a game and then comes back to win the game. This is a very rare event in baseball, and it has only happened 9 times in Major League Baseball history.
Multiple No-Hitters by the Same Team
A very rare event that has only happened 5 times in Major League Baseball history is when a team throws multiple no-hitters in the same season. This has been accomplished by the Cincinnati Reds (1938), Los Angeles Dodgers (1956 and 1990), and the San Francisco Giants (2015).
Conclusion
Baseball is a beloved American pastime that has been the source of many memorable and historic moments throughout its history. From unassisted triple plays to multiple no-hitters thrown by the same team, there are many rare and unique occurrences that have taken place in baseball. These rare events are what make baseball such an exciting and nostalgic game to watch and enjoy.