I did a double take when I read that Cincinnati Reds utility man Scooter Gennett hit four home runs in a game. Gennett drove in 10 of the Reds' 13 runs in a 13-1 rout of the St. Louis Cardinals. Going into tonight, Gennett had been hitless in his last 19 at bats. Gennett went from .270 BA, 3 HR and 20 RBI to .302 BA, 7 HR and 30 RBI in a single game.
Gennett becomes the first MLB player to hit four home runs in a game since Josh Hamilton did it as a member of the Texas Rangers in 2012. He also become the first NL player accomplish it since Shawn Green did it when he was with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2002.
When you think of the MLB players who have hit four home runs in a game - Lou Gehrig, Chuck Klein, Willie Mays, Gil Hodges Mike Schmidt, Bob Horner and Josh Hamilton, They're all home run kings. But Gennett?
Priot to tonight, in a big league career that has lasted four plus seasons, Gennett had hit 38 career home runs. After spending four season with the Milwaukee Brewers, the Reds claimed him off waivers at the end of spring training.
The only player less likely to be a 4 HR game candidate would be Pat Seerey. He played seven seasons as an outfielder during the 1940's primarily with the Cleveland Indians. The Tribe would trade Seerey to the Chicago White Sox in June 1948. Unfortunately for Seerey, he would miss a chance to be part of their World Series championship team. But Seerey would have his moment in the sun on July 16, 1948 when he slammed four home runs in a 12-11 victory over the Philadelphia A's in 11 innings. Unfortunately, Seerey had a weight problem and got sent to the minors never to see the big leagues again. His career was over at 26.
Well, Scooter Gennett is 27 and can avoid this fate. But if he can't there will always be this day.
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