Sacramento A’s slugger Nick Kurtz is congratulated in the A’s dugout after hitting a two run home run against the Cincinnati Reds at Sutter Health Park in Cincinnati on Sun Sep 14, 2025 (AP News photo)

A’s Nick Kurtz Rookie of the Year

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

On November 18 at 6 PM ET, the BBWAA will announce its Rookie of the Year Award. In the American League, there is only one player who deserves such an accolade: Nick Kurtz.

Kurtz became a name in baseball this year. Kurtz of the Sacramento Athletics is the first and only rookie in Major League Baseball history to hit four home runs in a single game, a feat he accomplished on July 25, 2025, against the Houston Astros. His six-hit, four-homer performance also tied the MLB record for total bases in a game, set by Shawn Green in 2002.

The Athletics were the first team to have three consecutive players winning the American League Rookie of the Year Award. OF José Canseco in 1986,1B Mark McGwire in 1987, and shortstop Walt Weiss in 1988. For us who covered/broadcast that great era of A’s baseball, those three were key players in the championship seasons under the Walter Haas ownership.

Wednesday, with approximately ten games left in the regular season for most teams, the A’s have two top candidates for the 2025 Rookie of the Year Award. 22-year-old first baseman Kurtz and 23-year-old shortstop Jacob Wilson, who was also the starting shortstop for the American League in this season’s All-Star Game. Other American League rookies that are notable, but will not win the Rookie of the Year, are Boston outfielder Roman Anthony and Houston outfielder Cam Smith.

The A’s (now playing in Sacramento temporarily) are entering the last part of the season with the possibility of ending in fourth place again, like last season. The difference is that this 2025 season, the A’s have new blood, including very young and talented players, among them the two rookies like Kurtz and Wilson, who have propelled the team to a better record than the 69-93 Oakland A’s of 2024.

History: Jackie Robinson won the first official Rookie of the Year award in 1947. The award was given to only one player for both leagues in 1947 and 1948, but has been given to one player in each league since 1949. The award was later named the Jackie Robinson Award. 

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.

⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.

Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in.