The statistical anomaly that briefly rewrote the Major League Baseball record books
In short: In June 2014, Lonnie Chisenhall achieved a feat so rare it seemed impossible. Over just five plate appearances, he recorded five hits and three home runs. While he was the first to ever reach those specific numbers, his historic afternoon was eventually surpassed by another player.
Lonnie Chisenhall’s professional journey was marked by both extreme highs and significant setbacks. After graduating from West Carteret High School in 2006, he was initially selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 11th round. However, he opted for college, attending the University of South Carolina before a dismissal from the team led him to Pitt Community College. His path to the majors eventually led him to the Cleveland Indians, who selected him 29th overall in the 2008 MLB draft.
Chisenhall’s career reached a statistical zenith on June 9, 2014. During that game, he became the first player in MLB history to amass five hits, three home runs, and nine runs batted in (RBI) within only five plate appearances. This extraordinary offensive explosion remained a singular milestone until June 6, 2017, when Scooter Gennett delivered an even more prolific performance, recording five hits, four home runs, and 10 RBI in five plate appearances.
Beyond his singular statistical feat, Chisenhall was a versatile presence for the Cleveland Indians. Originally an everyday third baseman, he successfully transitioned to right field in 2015 following a stint with the Class AAA Columbus Clippers. His career also included high-stakes moments, such as a controversial hit-by-pitch call during the 2017 American League Division Series against the New York Yankees. After a final contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates in late 2018, which he never played for due to injury, Chisenhall retired from professional baseball on February 21, 2020.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Lonnie Chisenhall
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/history-lonnie-chisenhall.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Born on this day · More in History · Latest · A–Z · All topics
