In case you missed it, Kyle Schwarber became the 21st player in MLB history to hit four home runs in a game. While the club is exclusive, it’s membership isn’t necessarily impressive. Not everyone fits the slugger bill like Schwarbs, Bob Horner and Joe Adcock, but that is what makes the feat so impressive.
Other than the initial common thread of the four homers, each player’s accomplishment was pretty unique, the circumstances and player backgrounds were unique. I’ve never been to a four-homer game, but I’ve had the opportunity to discuss the feat with one of the guys that accomplished it (and brought it up every time I’ve seen him or his son).
Because his four homers came against the White Sox, I’ve enjoyed Mike Cameron’s achievement more than most of the others. He never joked that it was a form of retribution for the four seasons he played in Chicago. One component of the feat, likely to never be repeated was the four homers hit in the first inning. Mariner teammate Bret Boone and Cameron each hit two homers in the 10-run first inning.
Each hit their first homers of the inning off Sox starter, Jon Rauch. Boone’s second and Cameron’s 2-4 were surrendered by Jim “The flavor says butter” Parque. Parque settled down, sort of, as Seattle won 15-4. After that, the gregarious center fielder was always willing to talk about the game while downplaying the feat. Unless you rooted for the team he was playing against, he was always an easy guy to root for as he always had time for fans and the media. I’m not sure that everyone in the other cities he played for knew about that game in May of 2002. He was better known as a solid outfielder and a guy traded for Junior. Previous to that, the Sox traded him to Cincy for Paul Konerko.
It’s hard not to find something interesting or unique about each of the club members if you do your own research or have your own memories.
Congrats Kyle!