by seyclops » Mon Jul 24, 2006 9:27 am
Given that ATG lineups are almost always several magnitudes better than those put on the field by a real team, or in a single-season SOM league, it follows that
A: at any given time, there are more players active who are capable of hitting for the cycle, increasing the odds of its occurrence; and
B: Since there are so many great hitters in just about every lineup, it becomes almost impossible for even the greatest pitchers to get through them three times without giving up a hit.
And I do think you're right. Cycles and no-hitters are both rare, but I think we do see far more cycles. But Grote doing it is still one in a million...