NEW YORK — The wait is over for Nick Kurtz. After a slow start to his sophomore campaign, the reigning American League Rookie of the Year delivered his first home run of 2026 and it couldn’t have come at a bigger moment.
Kurtz’s 363-foot solo shot powered the Oakland Athletics to a 1-0 victory over the New York Mets at Citi Field, completing a historic series sweep and capping a statement road trip.
It wasn’t just a home run it was a moment. Kurtz swung so hard at a low curveball from Freddy Peralta that his helmet flew off as he bolted out of the box. Once the ball cleared the wall, the celebration began.
Pointing toward the bullpen and soaking in the dugout’s energy, Kurtz embraced the moment fans had been waiting for the return of “Big Amish” and his signature “churning butter” trot around the bases.
Patience Paying Off
While the power hadn’t shown up early, the underlying numbers told a different story.
Kurtz entered the game:
- 96.7 mph average exit velocity (among MLB leaders)
- 14 walks, second in the league behind Mike Trout
Manager Mark Kotsay praised his approach: “He’s being patient… you don’t always see young players take their walks when they’re struggling.”
The results finally caught up to the process.
A Familiar Script?
If last season is any indication, this could be the beginning of something big. Kurtz didn’t homer until his 17th game as a rookie then exploded:
- 36 home runs
- .293 average
- 1.052 OPS over his final 101 games
Now, history may be repeating itself. “I’m a streaky home run hitter,” Kurtz admitted earlier this week. That’s exactly what opposing pitchers don’t want to hear.
Kurtz’s blast wasn’t just about personal momentum it capped a dominant stretch for the A’s.
- 5-1 road trip through New York
- Wins over both the Yankees and Mets
- First five-win, six-game road trip since 2021
Even more impressive? It came against playoff-caliber competition. “It shows that we are good,” Kurtz said. “We can win games against those types of teams.”
Chemistry Building Fast
Veteran pitcher Aaron Civale, who delivered 5 2/3 scoreless innings in the finale, pointed to the team’s energy as a driving force. “There’s a good buzz every day… that creates a winning environment.”
From creative home run celebrations to a confident young core, the A’s are building something and it’s starting to show. After navigating a brutal early-season stretch against contenders like the Blue Jays, Braves, Yankees, Mets, and Astros, the A’s didn’t just survive they thrived.
Now sitting at 8-7, they return home with at least a share of first place in the AL West heading into a matchup with the Rangers.
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Robert LaMar is a Deputy Editor for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
