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amead17 · 08-31-2025, 02:02 AM

McGANN HITS FOR THE CYCLE IN CARDINALS’ VICTORY

By Samuel T. Kingsley, Sporting Times

St. Louis, August 13, 1901

The summer has not been kind to Dan McGann, the stalwart first baseman of the St. Louis Cardinals, whose struggles at the plate have been well remarked upon. Entering yesterday’s contest against the Cincinnati Reds, McGann was burdened with a meager batting mark of .213, a figure that belied the talent long expected of him. Yet base ball is ever a game of sudden redemption, and in the Cardinals’ 10 to 4 triumph at Robison Field, McGann enjoyed an afternoon that will live long in memory, for he accomplished the rarest of feats — hitting for the cycle.

McGann’s day began humbly in the first inning when he reached base on a fielder’s choice, but it was in the third frame that he announced his intent, lofting a two-run home run that brought the Cardinals back into the contest at 3–2. In the fifth, he singled and later crossed the plate to knot the score. A seventh-inning double gave him three of the four necessary marks, and when the eighth inning arrived, McGann cracked a resounding triple, driving in a run and sealing both his cycle and the Reds’ fate as St. Louis surged ahead to their final margin.

When the dust had settled, McGann stood at 4-for-5, with three runs scored and three runs batted in, as the Cardinals lifted their record to 50–49, finally nudging themselves above the even line in the standings.

After the contest, McGann was visibly buoyed by the performance:

“It has been a trying season for me,” he admitted, “and I have not given the club the hitting they deserve. But a day like this reminds me of why I love the game. To strike every kind of blow in one afternoon is something I shall cherish. More than anything, I am glad it came in a victory for the boys.”

Manager Patsy Donovan, who has stood by his first baseman through his difficulties, spoke warmly of the achievement:

“Dan has labored hard despite his troubles at the plate, and it does a manager’s heart good to see him rewarded at last. A cycle is a rare jewel in base ball, and his hitting turned the tide for us. If this is the spark that wakes his bat, the Cardinals shall be all the stronger in the weeks to come.”

Thus, while McGann’s season has been a lean one, yesterday’s display offered both player and club a reminder that fortunes may change in an instant, and that perseverance may yet be crowned with glory.

08-31-2025, 02:02 AM	#22
amead17 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 9,166	McGann Hits Cycle McGANN HITS FOR THE CYCLE IN CARDINALS’ VICTORY By Samuel T. Kingsley, Sporting Times St. Louis, August 13, 1901 The summer has not been kind to Dan McGann, the stalwart first baseman of the St. Louis Cardinals, whose struggles at the plate have been well remarked upon. Entering yesterday’s contest against the Cincinnati Reds, McGann was burdened with a meager batting mark of .213, a figure that belied the talent long expected of him. Yet base ball is ever a game of sudden redemption, and in the Cardinals’ 10 to 4 triumph at Robison Field, McGann enjoyed an afternoon that will live long in memory, for he accomplished the rarest of feats — hitting for the cycle. McGann’s day began humbly in the first inning when he reached base on a fielder’s choice, but it was in the third frame that he announced his intent, lofting a two-run home run that brought the Cardinals back into the contest at 3–2. In the fifth, he singled and later crossed the plate to knot the score. A seventh-inning double gave him three of the four necessary marks, and when the eighth inning arrived, McGann cracked a resounding triple, driving in a run and sealing both his cycle and the Reds’ fate as St. Louis surged ahead to their final margin. When the dust had settled, McGann stood at 4-for-5, with three runs scored and three runs batted in, as the Cardinals lifted their record to 50–49, finally nudging themselves above the even line in the standings. After the contest, McGann was visibly buoyed by the performance: “It has been a trying season for me,” he admitted, “and I have not given the club the hitting they deserve. But a day like this reminds me of why I love the game. To strike every kind of blow in one afternoon is something I shall cherish. More than anything, I am glad it came in a victory for the boys.” Manager Patsy Donovan, who has stood by his first baseman through his difficulties, spoke warmly of the achievement: “Dan has labored hard despite his troubles at the plate, and it does a manager’s heart good to see him rewarded at last. A cycle is a rare jewel in base ball, and his hitting turned the tide for us. If this is the spark that wakes his bat, the Cardinals shall be all the stronger in the weeks to come.” Thus, while McGann’s season has been a lean one, yesterday’s display offered both player and club a reminder that fortunes may change in an instant, and that perseverance may yet be crowned with glory.