Nick Kurtz Makes MLB History with 4 Home Runs
A Rookie-Led Masterpiece at Daikin Park
Nick Kurtz makes MLB history with 4 home runs in a single game, setting a new standard for rookie performances. On Friday, July 25, 2025, the 22-year-old first baseman for the Oakland Athletics stunned fans and broke records during a 15–3 win over the Houston Astros at Daikin Park. His four homers and 19 total bases matched an all-time league high, last seen in 2002 by Shawn Green.
The Stat-Fiesta: 6-For-6, Eight RBIs and Six Runs
Kurtz had a perfect night at the plate: 6 hits in 6 at-bats, belting four homers (in the 2nd, 6th, 8th, and 9th innings) and adding a single and a near-home-run double in the first and fourth innings, respectively. He crossed the plate six times, drove in eight RBIs, and tied the MLB single-game records of hits, home runs, and total bases.
His home runs landed off four different Astros pitchers—Ryan Gusto, Nick Hernandez, Kaleb Ort, and even position player Cooper Hummel in the ninth inning, emphasizing just how dominant the night was.
Quotes & Reactions: Awe and Inspiration
“It’s hard to think about this day being kind of real… It still feels like a dream,” Kurtz shared in a television interview after the game.
“So it’s pretty remarkable. I’m kind of speechless.”.
Athletics manager Mark Kotsay summed it up best:
“Arguably the best game I’ve ever watched from a single player… this kid continues to have jaw‑dropping moments.”.
Fans at Daikin Park gave Kurtz a standing ovation after his fourth homer, in what some are already calling one of the greatest single-game rookie performances in baseball history.
Context & Historical Milestones
- First MLB rookie ever with a four-home-run game.
- Just the 20th player overall in MLB history to have this feat.
- Tied Shawn Green’s record for 19 total bases, also with 6 hits in 6 at-bats.
- Occurred in just his 66th MLB game—far fewer than the previous quick mark of 425 games held by Mark Whiten.
- At 22 years old, he’s now the youngest player in history to record a four-homer game, surpassing Pat Seerey’s record set in 1948.
Season Snapshot & Rookie of the Year Race
Drafted fourth overall in 2024 from Wake Forest, Kurtz moved from the minor leagues to the majors in record time—just 32 minor league games before his MLB debut on April 23, 2025. His first homer came just weeks later, on May 13 (Wikipedia).
Through 66 MLB games, he’s tallied:
- 23 home runs
- 59 RBIs
- 43 extra-base hits
He leads all rookies in homers, RBIs, and total bases, and boasts an impressive slash line of around .305/.374/.686 with a 1.060 OPS (Reuters, Reuters).
As of late July, sportsbooks have shifted odds dramatically: previously overshadowed rookie Jacob Wilson has seen his AL Rookie of the Year odds slip to +250, while Kurtz leads at –325—highlighting his meteoric rise (New York Post).
Personal Touch: Family & Fanfare
Watching from the stands were Kurtz’s parents and godparents, making the night even more special.
“This is the first time my godparents have been here, so they probably have to come every single game the rest of the year,” Kurtz joked after the game (The Times of India).
Why This Performance Matters
Nick Kurtz’s night went beyond milestones—it painted a future narrative. Rarely has a rookie dominated in such a multi-dimensional way: home runs, total bases, hits, RBIs, and pure power capped in one unforgettable performance. Analysts and fans alike are considering this one of the greatest single-game efforts in modern MLB history.
Watch the Highlights
Nick Kurtz makes history with four‑HR game (ESPN)
Summary
Nick Kurtz’s performance wasn’t just historic—it was legendary. In a single night, he shattered rookie records, tied MLB standards, and changed the trajectory of his career. A’s fans, baseball historians, and Rookie-of-the-Year voters all have their eyes on him now. This is the beginning of something big.