HISTORIC ACCOLADE: Brock Holt Makes Postseason History with Unforgettable Cycle Against Yankees in 2018 ALDS Blowout
October 8, 2018 — a date etched in Major League Baseball history. On that unforgettable night in the Bronx, Boston Red Sox utilityman Brock Holt delivered a performance so rare and electrifying that it remains unmatched to this day. In Game 3 of the American League Division Series (ALDS), Holt became the first—and still only—player in MLB history to hit for the cycle in a postseason game, lifting the Red Sox to a staggering 16-1 victory over their archrivals, the New York Yankees.
It wasn’t just what Holt accomplished, but how he did it: four different types of hits—a single, double, triple, and home run—off four different Yankee pitchers, showcasing not just skill and grit but a flair for the dramatic that baseball fans will remember forever.
A Night for the Ages
The Red Sox entered Yankee Stadium with the series tied 1-1, following a Game 2 loss at Fenway Park that had shifted momentum to New York. Facing the daunting Yankee crowd and ace Luis Severino, Boston needed a spark.
They didn’t just get a spark—they lit the Bronx ablaze.
Boston’s offense exploded early, tagging Severino for six runs and knocking him out of the game after just three innings. The offensive onslaught was led by MVP-candidate Mookie Betts, slugger J.D. Martinez, and, unexpectedly, the ever-reliable Brock Holt—a utility player known more for his hustle and heart than his power or headline-grabbing feats.
But on this night, Holt would steal the show.
The Cycle: Hit by Hit
First hit: Single (4th inning) Holt began his historic journey with a sharp single in the fourth inning, part of a seven-run explosion that broke the game wide open. It was a clean, confident swing that showcased his underrated bat control.
Second hit: Triple (4th inning) Later in the same inning, Holt roped a ball into the gap and legged out a triple, becoming the first Red Sox player since 2007 to record two hits in a single playoff inning. His hustle on the basepaths epitomized the “dirty water” Red Sox attitude—gritty, relentless, and team-first.
Third hit: Double (8th inning) In the eighth, Holt drilled a double off reliever Zach Britton. At that point, whispers of a potential cycle began swirling. The odds were long—cycles are rare enough in the regular season, and unheard of in October. But with Boston leading big, there was a chance Holt would get one more at-bat.
Fourth hit: Home Run (9th inning) Then, the moment that sealed history. In the top of the ninth inning, facing backup catcher Austin Romine, who was brought in as a mop-up reliever to save New York’s bullpen, Holt smashed a two-run home run into the right field bleachers.
With that swing, Holt completed the cycle—his final line: 4-for-6, 5 RBIs, 3 runs scored. It was a moment of pure postseason magic.
Postgame Reaction: Joy, Humor, and Respect
After the game, Holt was his usual humble self.
“I was trying to hit a home run,” Holt said with a grin. “I told [teammate Xander Bogaerts], ‘If I hit a home run, I need a cycle,’ and he told me to go for it. So I did. It worked out.”
The blast off Romine might not have come against a true pitcher, but no one in baseball questioned the magnitude of the achievement. Hitting for the cycle in any context is special—doing it in the playoffs, on the road, against your team’s biggest rival, made it legendary.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora was effusive in his praise: “Brock has always been that guy—he does whatever we need. To see him do something no one’s ever done in postseason history? It just shows the type of player he is.”
More Than Just a Stat: The Heart of the Red Sox
Holt’s achievement was emblematic of the 2018 Red Sox as a whole—unselfish, dynamic, and relentless. The team went on to win the ALDS 3-1, sweep the Houston Astros in the ALCS, and defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series, securing their ninth championship and arguably their most dominant postseason run in franchise history.
Throughout it all, Holt was a symbol of Boston’s depth and chemistry. While stars like Betts, Martinez, Andrew Benintendi, and Chris Sale drew headlines, it was the quiet, blue-collar contributions from players like Holt that fueled Boston’s drive.
A Rare Feat Still Unmatched
As of June 2025, no other player has hit for the cycle in postseason history. It’s a feat that has remained elusive despite more playoff games, expanded formats, and modern analytics pushing for offensive explosions. Holt’s name still stands alone in that column.
While dozens of players have hit for the cycle during regular seasons—Trea Turner, Freddie Freeman, and Christian Yelich among them—October’s pressure cooker has made it nearly impossible. Holt’s performance remains a unicorn in the baseball record books.
Legacy of the Moment
Though Holt parted ways with Boston after the 2019 season and has since transitioned away from playing, his legacy in Boston is secure. Fans still wear “HOLT #12” jerseys at Fenway, and his 2018 ALDS heroics are often replayed on jumbotrons and anniversary tributes.
In a sport defined by legends—Ruth, Mays, Koufax, Ortiz—sometimes it’s the unexpected heroes who make the most enduring marks.
That’s what makes baseball beautiful. A utility man on the biggest stage can author the most unforgettable chapter. And that’s what Brock Holt did on October 8, 2018.
Final Score: Red Sox 16, Yankees 1
That 16-1 win was the most lopsided loss in Yankees postseason history. Boston scored early and often, embarrassing their rivals in front of a stunned Yankee Stadium crowd. It was a defining moment for that Red Sox squad—and the moment Brock Holt made baseball history.
As time marches on and postseason records are broken and rewritten, Holt’s cycle remains a singular, shining feat: a symbol of postseason greatness, team spirit, and one magical ni
ght when everything aligned.
Brock Holt: Forever the Cycle King of October.
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