Oakland Athletics rookie Nick Kurtz etched his name into MLB history with an unreal performance against the Houston Astros on Friday night. The 22-year-old became just the 20th MLB player ever to hit four home runs in a single game, launching each into different sections of the Coliseum while driving in eight runs. His 6-for-6 night at the plate included six runs scored and 19 total bases – matching Shawn Green’s 2002 record and setting a new benchmark for rookies .
Kurtz achieved what no player in MLB’s 150-year history had accomplished: simultaneously recording at least six hits, six runs, and eight RBIs in one game. Since RBIs became an official statistic in 1920, he also stands alone as the only player – across his entire career – to ever combine four homers, five extra-base hits, six runs, six hits, and eight RBIs in a single performance .
The feat seems surreal given Kurtz’s recent debut on April 23rd. In just 67 games, the first baseman is batting .309 with 23 home runs and 59 RBIs – pace-defying numbers that drew immediate comparisons to two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani. Kurtz’s 4-HR game notably paralleled Ohtani’s own 3-HR, 6-hit, 10-RBI masterpiece against Miami in September 2024 .
Topps Immortalizes the Moment
Recognizing the milestone’s cultural significance, Topps announced an ultra-rare 1-of-1 trading card capturing Kurtz’s historic night. The card features action shots of all four home runs and his final stat line, with “19 TOTAL BASES” prominently gold-foiled. As Topps’ first 1/1 card commemorating a four-homer game, it enters a booming market where athlete-investors like Tom Brady and Derek Jeter are expanding the industry .
This card’s potential value echoes the recent $1.11 million sale of Paul Skenes’ 1/1 rookie card – discovered by an 11-year-old and auctioned anonymously. Industry experts predict Kurtz’s card could exceed that figure, given the statistical singularity of his achievement and the Athletics’ plans to authenticate game-used items (bat, jersey) for inclusion in future premium editions .
Kurtz’s performance shattered multiple rookie records: he’s now the first debut-season player with a four-homer game and the only rookie to ever notch 19 total bases. His rapid ascension evokes legends like Mike Trout, but with a power-hitting profile that Athletics GM David Forst calls “a generational blueprint for modern first basemen” .
Beyond statistics, Kurtz’s night represents baseball’s enduring magic. As his card enters circulation, it symbolizes how digital collectibles and historic milestones now coexist – turning a rookie’s extraordinary game into tangible mythology. For fans and investors alike, this artifact captures the moment Kurtz transcended “prospect” status and entered the sport’s eternal narrative .
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