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The trick to nailing the bold prediction: niche down to forgettability with meme potential. Best case scenario: the prediction comes true and you are heralded as a savant and etched into blogosphere lore. Worst case scenario: the prediction is forgotten completely or you are exposed as an innocent huckster with a knack for starting a jag.
Bold predictions adorn early April baseball chatter. This one: Jett Bandy will hit for the cycle for the Brewers in 2018.
In the 47-year history of the Milwaukee Brewers, 7 of its players have completed the cycle. Comes out to about a cycle every 7 years. The last was George Kottaras’ cycle in 2011 vs. the Astros.
Brewers cycles
Player | Year | Position | Stats |
---|---|---|---|
Player | Year | Position | Stats |
Mike Hegan | 1976 | LF, 1B | 4/5, 2B, 3B, HR, BB, 6 RBI |
Charlie Moore | 1980 | C | 4/5, 2B, 3B, HR, 3 RBI |
Robin Yount | 1988 | DH | 4/4, 2B, 3B, HR, BB, 2 RBI |
Paul Molitor | 1991 | DH | 4/5, 2B, 3B, HR, 1 RBI |
Chad Moeller | 2004 | C | 4/5, 2B, 3B, HR, 4 RBI |
Jody Gerut | 2010 | CF, RF | 4/6, 2B, 3B, HR, 4 RBI |
George Kottaras | 2011 | C | 4/5, 2B, 3B, HR, 2 RBI |
Notice the abundance of catchers. Three of the seven Brewers cycles were achieved by catchers, two of which completed by backups. No other team in the history of the game has had more catchers complete the cycle.
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The 21st century has been the millennium of the cycle. From 1908 through 1999 there were approximately 2 cycles per season. Since 2000, 4 per season.
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Dare to argue with these facts:
- The Brewers are due for a cycle in 2018
- Most Brewers cycles have been completed by catchers, the majority of which were backups
- The Brewers are the most adept in league history in catcher cycles
- Cycles are on the rise league-wide
- Jett Bandy is a backup catcher
- Jett Bandy plays for the Brewers
- Miller Park was Built for Triples
Where there’s smoke there’s fire. And where there’s fire, there’s a cycle by a Brewers backup catcher. Keep an eye on the box score.