JJ Bleday Hits for the Cycle After Weeks of Struggles

JJ Bleday stood at the plate in the sixth inning, not knowing if his line drive would clear the fence—but when it did, he became part of baseball history.

The Cincinnati Reds outfielder hit for the cycle Saturday night in an 11-5 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks, becoming only the eighth Reds player ever to accomplish the rare feat. He doubled in the first inning, tripled in the third, singled in the fifth, and sealed it with a 370-foot home run that had him pumping his fist as he rounded the bases.

The moment was especially sweet for the 28-year-old, who had struggled mightily in recent weeks with just two RBIs all August heading into the game. "It's crazy how things like that happen," Bleday said after finishing 4-for-6 with three RBIs and two runs scored. "Things haven't been going that well for me as of late, so it's just trying to persevere, show up and compete."

The night almost became even more historic. Teammate Elly De La Cruz came within a triple of his own cycle, which would have marked the first time since 1900 that two players from either team hit for the cycle in the same game.

De La Cruz, who hit for the cycle last year against the Braves, finished 4-for-6 and said he didn't even realize he was close until Bleday's was complete. "It's always cool seeing somebody hit for the cycle," the 24-year-old said. "That was really, really cool."

Why This Inspires

Bleday's breakthrough shows how quickly fortunes can change when you keep showing up. After joining the Reds through free agency last December, he's faced tough stretches but kept grinding.

His gratitude for the organization shone through after the game. "This organization and the team has really welcomed me as a player and my family as well," Bleday said. "They've been giving me opportunities, and so far it's been a good fit."

Even getting the home run ball back required some creativity—Bleday traded the fan a bat, scorecard, and photos for the keepsake. It was worth it for a piece of history, especially after he said a quick prayer when the ball left his bat: "I'm just like, please, please, God, please go, because I top-spun it."

Manager Terry Francona summed up the special evening simply: "We stayed consistent one through nine, and it was a good night."

Bleday's cycle is the fourth in the majors this year, and a reminder that breakthrough moments often come right after our toughest stretches.