The Man Who Set A Record Hitting Four HRs In His First Four Games: Mike Jacobs (2005 / 2010)

Michael James Jacobs was born October 30, 1980 in Chula Vista California. He was originally selected by the New York Mets as a catcher in the 38th round of the 1999 draft. By 2003 he had developed into a power hitter (17 HRs) and won the Sterling Award as the Mets top prospect. In 2004 he suffered a torn labrum while at AAA Norfolk and the next season learned how to play first base. In 2005 he hit 25 HRs with 93 RBIs at AA Binghamton getting called up to the Mets in August to replace Doug Mientkiewicz and help solve the first base problem.


He made his MLB debut on August 21st against the Washington Nationals. He became the fourth Met in history to homer in his first MLB at bat, bashing one off Esteban Loiza. Two days later during a four game sweep in Arizona, Jacobs homered again. The following day he hit two more HRs, both coming off Claudio Vargas in the Mets 14-1 win. In that game Jacobs set an MLB record hitting four HRs in his first four career games.

On September 25th the Mets entered the top of the 8th inning behind 4-3. In the inning David Wright homered to tie the game & two batters later Jacobs hit one as well, it turned out to be the winning run. In only 100 at bats that season Jacobs hit 11 HRs with 23 RBIs, a .310 batting average, and a .375 on base percentage.

He closed out the season with hopes of being the Mets first baseman of the future. There was a quick change of plans around Thanksgiving, when the Mets traded him along with Yusmeiro Petit and Grant Psomas to the Florida Marlins for Carlos Delgado.


In 2006 in Florida he hit 20 HRs with 37 doubles with 77 RBIs batting .262. He became one of the Marlins most popular young players. That year he got married and had twin daughters in his first season in the sunshine of south Florida. He played a few less games in 2007 (114) hitting 17 HRs with 27 doubles 54 RBIs & a .265 average. The free swinger struck out 101 times on the season.

In 2008 he played a career high 141 games and had his biggest year; 32 HRs 27 doubles & 93 RBIs but his average dropped to .247. The Marlins needed a closer and on October 31st, 2008 traded Jacobs to the Kansas City Royals for Leo Nunez. He struggled defensively and found himself as the Royals DH, batting a career low .228 with 132 strike outs. He did hit 19 HRs with 16 doubles & 61 RBIs in 2009.


In 2010 he signed a minor league deal with the New York Mets & found himself as the teams Opening Day first baseman when Daniel Murphy went down with injury. But by April 18th he was designated for assignment after just seven games (5-24) with one HR & two RBIs.

While playing at AAA Buffalo he hit 15 HRs batting .260 with 57 RBIs. On July 30th he was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays for a player to be named later.

In 2011 he was playing at AAA Colorado Springs hitting 23 HRs but came up positive for using a human growth hormone & was released by the Rockies organization. In six seasons he batted .253 with 489 hits 100 HRs 115 doubles 310 RBIs & 486 strike outs in 1930 at bats in 556 games.