Nick Kurtz, the 22-year-old rookie slugger for the Oakland Athletics, made baseball history on July 25, 2025, when he crushed four home runs in a single game, becoming the first rookie in MLB history to achieve the feat. But while the world is now buzzing about his record-breaking performance, Kurtz’s journey to the big leagues started with a much quieter — and more personal — moment shared with his girlfriend, Ally Eliea.
How Nick Kurtz Told His Girlfriend He Made It to the Majors
In an earlier interview with the Sacramento Bee, Ally Eliea shared how Nick nonchalantly broke the news that he was being called up to the majors back in April 2025.
“We were just chatting about my day,” she recalled, “and then he casually said he was getting called up. I was like, ‘What did you just say?’”
Kurtz, who prefers to keep his personal life off Instagram, focuses his social media presence on baseball — but Eliea has been a steady presence in the background, along with his tight-knit family.
When Kurtz made his MLB debut, his parents, siblings, and girlfriend were in the stands, capturing an emotional moment as he secured his first Major League hit. His dad, Jeff Kurtz, a real estate professional, was so overwhelmed when he heard the news that he had to shut his office door, while his mother, Marie, broke into tears.
“He had a glove on his hand by the time he could walk,” Marie told the Bee. Nick’s baseball journey started the day he was born — quite literally, as he was handed a baseball in the hospital.
Nick Kurtz Makes MLB History With Four-Home Run Game
Fast forward to July 25, and Kurtz delivered one of the greatest single-game performances in Major League Baseball history. In a 15-3 blowout win over the Houston Astros, he went 6-for-6, including four home runs, a double, and a single, tying the MLB record for total bases in a game with 19.
“It’s arguably the best game I’ve ever watched from a single player,” said A’s manager Mark Kotsay. “This kid continues to have jaw-dropping moments.”
Kurtz homered off four different Astros pitchers: Ryan Gusto, Nick Hernandez, Kaleb Ort, and outfielder Cooper Hummel (who was pitching in a blowout). His final blast — a three-run shot into the Crawford Boxes — put the exclamation mark on a surreal night.
Rookie Records and Hall of Fame Recognition
Not only did Kurtz become the youngest player to ever hit four home runs in a game — surpassing the previous youngest, Pat Seerey (25 years old, 1948) — but he also tied Shawn Green’s legendary 2002 record of six hits and 19 total bases in a single game.
MLB immediately recognized the achievement, and some of the memorabilia — including scorecards and a bat — is being sent to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
July 2025: A Month to Remember for Nick Kurtz
Nick Kurtz has been unstoppable in July 2025, leading the league in:
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Batting Average: .425
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On-Base Percentage: .494
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Slugging Percentage: 1.082
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Home Runs: 11
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RBIs: 27
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Doubles: 13
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Runs Scored: 22
With 23 home runs in just 66 games, Kurtz is not only dominating the rookie charts but is also one of the top sluggers in the league overall. The fourth overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft out of Wake Forest, he made his debut on April 23, 2025, and hit his first big-league homer on May 13.
Who Is Nick Kurtz? The “Big Amish” Slugger from Lancaster
Nick Kurtz hails from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, a region known for its large Amish community. That’s where his light-hearted nickname, the “Big Amish,” comes from — though Kurtz himself is not Amish.
The 6-foot-5 powerhouse has quickly become one of the most exciting young talents in Major League Baseball. With his humble personality, elite bat skills, and support system behind him — including girlfriend Ally Eliea and his emotional parents — Kurtz’s rise has been nothing short of magical.