Most Home Runs In A Game: MLB Record

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The thrill of baseball often comes down to the long ball – the majestic home run. While many players have dreams of hitting one out of the park, only a select few have etched their names in history by hitting multiple home runs in a single game. But who holds the record for the most home runs in a game? Let's delve into this extraordinary achievement.

The Record Holder: A Name Etched in History

The Major League Baseball (MLB) record for the most home runs in a single game is held by two players, each having accomplished the feat of hitting four home runs:

  • Bobby Lowe: On May 30, 1894, playing for the Boston Beaneaters (now the Atlanta Braves), Lowe achieved this monumental feat.
  • Ed Delahanty: July 13, 1896, Delahanty matched the record playing for the Philadelphia Phillies.
  • Lou Gehrig: "The Iron Horse" Lou Gehrig was the first to do it in the modern era, on June 3, 1932 for the New York Yankees.
  • Chuck Klein: July 10, 1936, Klein matched the record playing for the Philadelphia Phillies.
  • Gil Hodges: August 31, 1950, Hodges matched the record playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers.
  • Joe Adcock: July 31, 1954, Adcock matched the record playing for the Milwaukee Braves.
  • Rocky Colavito: June 10, 1959, Colavito matched the record playing for the Cleveland Indians.
  • Willie Mays: April 30, 1961, Willie Mays matched the record playing for the San Francisco Giants.
  • Mike Schmidt: April 17, 1976, Schmidt matched the record playing for the Philadelphia Phillies.
  • Bob Horner: June 17, 1986, Horner matched the record playing for the Atlanta Braves.
  • Mark Whiten: September 7, 1993, Whiten matched the record playing for the St. Louis Cardinals.
  • Carlos Delgado: September 25, 2003, Delgado matched the record playing for the Toronto Blue Jays.
  • Shawn Green: May 23, 2002, Green matched the record playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
  • Josh Hamilton: May 8, 2012, Hamilton matched the record playing for the Texas Rangers.
  • J.D. Martinez: September 4, 2017, Martinez matched the record playing for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

These players demonstrated exceptional power and skill, securing their place in baseball lore.

The Rarity of the Feat

Hitting even one home run in a game is a significant accomplishment. Hitting two or three is remarkable. But hitting four? That's the stuff of legends. The rarity of this achievement underscores the incredible difficulty and skill required.

Other Notable Achievements

While the record stands at four home runs, several players have hit three home runs in a game multiple times. These "three-homer games" are still celebrated as outstanding offensive performances. For instance, baseball legends like Babe Ruth and many modern sluggers have multiple three-homer games to their names.

Modern Era Chasers

In recent years, several players have come close to matching the four-home run record. While they fell short, their attempts kept fans on the edge of their seats, highlighting the ongoing pursuit of baseball greatness. These near-misses remind us that the record, while standing for a long time, is always within reach of today's talented players.

Conclusion

The record for the most home runs in a game remains a testament to extraordinary power and skill. As fans, we can only marvel at these historic performances and anticipate the day when a player might break the record, creating a new chapter in baseball history.