Unexpected Player Breaks 32-Year Cycle Drought for Cubs

Who would have thought that out of all the players in Monday night’s starting lineup for the Cubs it would be veteran catcher Carson Kelly to hit for the cycle against the Athletics, breaking a 32-year drought for Chicago. Kelly had a perfect night in Sacramento, going 4-for-4, with two walks. He drove in five runs and crossed home plate three times as well in an 18-3 blowout win for the Cubs.

Kelly hit his first home run in a Cubs uniform to leadoff the fourth inning, crushing a ball to left field that extended Chicago’s lead to 5-1. In the fifth inning, Kelly started a five-run rally with a two-run single after the first three batters reached base to begin the frame. He recorded his third straight hit in an at-bat with a double in the sixth and he reached again via walk in the same inning.

The Cubs catcher stepped up to the plate in the eighth inning with the chance to hit for the cycle and it was the toughest part of the task remaining, needing to hit a triple.

With two outs and a full count, Kelly blasted a ball to center field. Athletics’ outfielder JJ Bleday tried to make the catch, but once he couldn’t the ball bounced hard off the wall and away from him. That allowed Kelly to chug to third base, completing the first Cubs cycle since Mark Grace did it in 1993.

You gotta love the call from Boog and JD.

Carson Kelly TRIPLES and has the first cycle of the 2025 season, the first for the Cubs since 1993! pic.twitter.com/mVzqUItITP

— MLB (@MLB) April 1, 2025

That was the second longest active drought between cycles for any MLB team. The Royals now have the longest, last hitting for a cycle in 1990.

Carson Cycle Kelly. pic.twitter.com/NWJMNJeWUj

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) April 1, 2025

A special moment for Kelly and a great win for the Cubs, especially coming off that disaster on Sunday in Arizona.