Nick Kurtz enters immortality with historic 4-HR night time captured as ultra-rare 1/1 Topps card

Oakland Athletics rookie Nick Kurtz etched his identify into MLB historical past with an unreal efficiency in opposition to the Houston Astros on Friday night time. The 22-year-old grew to become simply the twentieth MLB participant ever to hit 4 house runs in a single recreation, launching every into completely different sections of the Coliseum whereas driving in eight runs. His 6-for-6 night time on the plate included six runs scored and 19 complete bases – matching Shawn Inexperienced’s 2002 report and setting a brand new benchmark for rookies .

Kurtz achieved what no participant in MLB’s 150-year historical past had achieved: concurrently recording at the least six hits, six runs, and eight RBIs in a single recreation. Since RBIs grew to become an official statistic in 1920, he additionally stands alone as the one participant – throughout his whole profession – to ever mix 4 homers, 5 extra-base hits, six runs, six hits, and eight RBIs in a single efficiency .

The feat appears surreal given Kurtz’s latest debut on April twenty third. In simply 67 video games, the primary baseman is batting .309 with 23 house runs and 59 RBIs – pace-defying numbers that drew fast comparisons to two-way famous person Shohei Ohtani. Kurtz’s 4-HR recreation notably paralleled Ohtani’s personal 3-HR, 6-hit, 10-RBI masterpiece in opposition to Miami in September 2024 .

Topps Immortalizes the Second

Recognizing the milestone’s cultural significance, Topps introduced an ultra-rare 1-of-1 buying and selling card capturing Kurtz’s historic night time. The cardboard options motion photographs of all 4 house runs and his ultimate stat line, with “19 TOTAL BASES” prominently gold-foiled. As Topps’ first 1/1 card commemorating a four-homer recreation, it enters a booming market the place athlete-investors like Tom Brady and Derek Jeter are increasing the trade .

This card’s potential worth echoes the latest $1.11 million sale of Paul Skenes’ 1/1 rookie card – found by an 11-year-old and auctioned anonymously. Business consultants predict Kurtz’s card might exceed that determine, given the statistical singularity of his achievement and the Athletics’ plans to authenticate game-used objects (bat, jersey) for inclusion in future premium editions .

Kurtz’s efficiency shattered a number of rookie information: he is now the primary debut-season participant with a four-homer recreation and the one rookie to ever notch 19 complete bases. His fast ascension evokes legends like Mike Trout, however with a power-hitting profile that Athletics GM David Forst calls “a generational blueprint for contemporary first basemen” .

Past statistics, Kurtz’s night time 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 recreation into tangible mythology. For followers and buyers alike, this artifact captures the second Kurtz transcended “prospect” standing and entered the game’s everlasting narrative .