by Dan Trammel

Created on: January 08, 2009   Last Updated: September 03, 2009

Hitting two grand slams in one game is a rare occurrence, happening 13 times in the history of Major League Baseball, fewer than the number of unassisted triple plays which have been turned. It is a unique feat, dependant on several factors which are out of a player's control, not the least of which is coming to bat twice with the bases loaded.

Of the thirteen players who have hit multiple grand slams in one game, inexplicably only three were playing in the National League at the time. And the first two of these occurrences are especially bizarre for the circumstances by which they were surrounded. The first National League player to hit two grand slams in a game was Tony Cloninger on July 3, 1966. In a 17-3 victory over the Giants, Cloninger hit grand slams in the first and fourth innings, and tallied nine RBIs for the day. What was unique, however, is that Cloninger was the winning pitcher, pitching a complete game 7-hitter.

The second National League player to achieve the feat is Fernando Tatis, then of the St. Louis Cardinals, on April 23, 1999. In a 12-5 win over the Dodgers, Tatis hit both grand slams off of pitcher Chan Ho Park. What makes Tatis' feat unique was he hit both home runs in the third inning, becoming the only player to hit two grand slams in one inning.

The third member of the Senior Circuit to club two grand slams in a game is the most recent of the thirteen to join the club. On July 27, 2009, the Washington Nationals Josh Willingham hit slams in consecutive at bats in the fifth and sixth innings in leading the Nats to a 14-6 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers. In doing so, Willingham became the second player to hit grand slams from both sides of the plate in one game.

Among the ten American League players to belt multiple grand slams in one game are some notable names in baseball history, not the least of which is Hall of Famer Frank Robinson. On June 26, 1970, on his way to leading the Orioles to a World Series title, Robinson hit grand slams in the fifth and sixth innings. Oddly, the same runners, Dave McNally, Don Buford, and Paul Blair, were on base for each of the home runs.

The first player to achieve the feat is another Hall of Famer, second baseman Tony Lazzeri of the New York Yankees. Lazzeri hit homers in the second and fifth innings of a game on May 24, 1936.

On May 10, 1999, Nomar Garciaparra smacked two grand slams in a 12-4 win over the Seattle Mariners. His feat is unique in that he is the only one of the thirteen to hit his grand slams in his home park.

On July 29, 2003, Bill Mueller became the twelfth member of this exclusive club. He also became the fourth member of the Boston Red Sox to appear on the list, joining Jim Tabor, Rudy York, and Garciaparra. In achieving his feat, Mueller was the first player to hit grand slams from both sides of the plate.

The other players to hit multiple grand slams in one game are Jim Gentile, Jim Northrup, Robin Ventura, and Chris Hoiles.

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