Who had Most Hits in a 9-Inning MLB Game?

When it comes to the MLB record books, one of the most exclusive clubs is the 3,000-hit club. In terms of pure hits, some of the first names fans think of are those of Pete Rose, Ichiro Suzuki and, for today’s game, perhaps Luis Arraez. However, as for the most hits in just a single game, the record-holders are not quite the same household names. Let’s take a look at the two players who are tied for the record of having the most hits in a nine-inning MLB game.

Wilbert Robinson (7 hits)

As some fans may remember, the MLB recently incorporated the record books of the Negro Leagues into the MLB record books. That changed several record-holders, namely for career slugging, OPS and more, but those were nearly all career-based stats.

Regarding just a single game, there are two players that have hit an incredible seven balls to reach base. Keep in mind that this is for a nine-inning game, so even having enough plate appearances for that to be a possibility is astounding. Having noted that, it’s why we haven’t seen such an incredible feat since 1975. In fact, prior to that, it was back in 1892 when seven hits were first recorded by Wilbert Robinson.

No, that was not a typo – the 19th century! That speaks to why baseball is considered America’s pastime, and Robinson accomplished his seven-hit game on June 10, 1892 as a member of the Baltimore Orioles. With the O’s stock rising the past couple of seasons, it seems fitting, but the team that he did it against is no longer of the same namesake. At the time, it was the St. Louis Browns, who, as you’d likely guess, are the modern-day Cardinals.

Interestingly enough, of those seven hits, Robinson had just one double when it comes to extra-base hits. That gives Ichiro vibes, as he was purely a contact hitter who wanted to get on base. There have been multiple world-class Robinsons for the Orioles, but Wilbert paved the way. He went on to register a total of 1,388 hits in his career, and while that number may not blow you away, his career was still one worthy of having him elected into the Hall of Fame.

Rennie Stennett (7 hits)

Two teams that have often been linked in MLB history are the Orioles and Pittsburgh Pirates, and not just because of their relatively close proximity. They seem to be good at the same time – they both won their last World Series within four years of each other – and bad at the same time.

They are two franchises that have struggled until just recently, and the Pirates having the draw of pitcher Paul Skenes certainly helps things. Well, thankfully for Rennie Stennett, he was not facing the likes of Skenes on September 16, 1975. On that day, he and the rest of Pittsburgh were taking on the Chicago Cubs, where Stennett would tie Robinson’s record.

However, he went on to put a little more power behind his hits, recording two doubles and a triple within his seven hits. Most importantly, it was a victory for his Pirates, and one of the most dominant victories in baseball history no less. Pittsburgh went on to crush the Cubs 22-0 that day at the famous Wrigley Field.

Speaking of famous, although Rennie Stennett was not elected to the Hall of Fame himself, the bat he used on that day is on display in the Hall of Fame. For comparison’s sake, Stennett went on to register 1,239 career hits, 149 fewer than Wilbert Robinson.