Christian Walker's solo home run (13)
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11 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Athletics' Nick Kurtz shares heartwarming moment with family after bonkers game
The post Athletics' Nick Kurtz shares heartwarming moment with family after bonkers game appeared first on ClutchPoints. On Friday night at Daikin Park, Athletics rookie Nick Kurtz put forth a historic performance that stunned the baseball world and earned a place in MLB history. In a 15-3 blowout victory over the Houston Astros, the 22-year-old slugger became the first rookie in MLB history to hit four home runs in a single game, going a perfect 6-for-6 at the plate. Kurtz homered in the second, sixth, eighth, and ninth innings, with each home run coming off a different Astros pitcher, Ryan Gusto, Nick Hernandez, Kaleb Ort, and position player Cooper Hummel. His final homer, a three-run shot in the ninth off Hummel's 77 mph pitch, landed in the Crawford Boxes in left field. His third homer of the night, a solo blast in the eighth, traveled 414 feet. Earlier in the game, Kurtz also singled and doubled, with the double in the fourth inning narrowly missing a fifth home run by mere feet. The numbers were staggering, six hits, five extra-base hits, six runs scored, eight RBIs, and a record-tying 19 total bases, matching a modern-era MLB record set by Shawn Green in 2002. Kurtz and Green are now the only two players in MLB history to collect six hits and four home runs in the same game. Since RBIs became official in 1920, Kurtz is the only player ever to achieve in his career: a game with 4+ HR, 5+ XBH, 6+ hits, 6+ runs, and 8+ RBIs, all in one night. What made the night even more special was the presence of Kurtz's family. 'A's rookie Nick Kurtz greets his parents and godparents after the game of his life. It was the first time his godparents had seen him play a big league game. His parents flew in today to attend,' Chandler Rome of The Athletic reported. 'This is the first time my godparents have been here, so they probably have to come in the rest of the year,' Kurtz explained after the game, via The Boston Globe. 'My parents flew in today. They've been here a bunch, but it was cool to have some family here for that.' Kurtz was selected fourth overall by the A's in the 2024 MLB Draft following a standout collegiate career at Wake Forest. He dominated the minors with a 1.283 OPS across Single-A and Double-A, followed by a 1.040 OPS in Triple-A before his MLB debut on April 23, 2025. After struggling early with a .208 average and just one home run through May 19, he turned things around dramatically. Since then, he's slashed .352/.427/.870 with 24 home runs in 43 games, translating to a 90+ homer pace over a full season. In July alone, Kurtz has led all major leaguers in multiple offensive categories, batting average (.425), on-base percentage (.494), slugging (1.082), runs (22), doubles (13), home runs (11), and RBIs (27). Related: Athletics' Nick Kurtz reacts to 'awesome' 4-HR game vs. Astros Related: Athletics star Nick Kurtz's historic explosion vs. Astros has fans going crazy
Yahoo
36 minutes ago
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Good luck to defenders trying to tackle Commanders' Deebo Samuel in 2025
Is Deebo Samuel fit or fat? Video of the new Washington Commanders wide receiver went viral when he was working out during the voluntary part of the offseason schedule. Concerns were raised and criticisms launched all over social media. John Keim recently chatted with Samuel's personal trainer, Nick Hill, on his podcast. Hill is not a recent addition for Samuel. In fact, when Samuel was coming out of South Carolina, he worked with Hill in preparation for the 2019 NFL Combine. Things went well for Samuel, working prior to the draft with Hill, as Samuel was selected by the San Francisco 49ers 36th overall in the second round of that 2019 draft. Hill informed Keim that, during the draft preparation, he had an unbelievable receiver class, featuring Samuel, A.J. Brown, D.K. Metcalf, Paris Campbell, N'Keal Harry, and Johnny Dixon. Apparently, Samuel, after a couple of seasons, returned to Hill, as Hill had conveyed to Keim that Samuel and Hill had now worked together for the last four years. When Keim asked what has stood out regarding Samuel, Hill didn't hesitate to respond, "He's so explosive, really good at acceleration, and very powerful. That's what he is special at, and that is why when he gets the ball in his hands he is so dangerous; he is so quick from point A to point B. And that is still special to this day." Get this! Hill went as far as to say Samuel's body type is similar to another player who has worked out and worked with Hill, Saquon Barkley: "Just strong, powerful, fast." When Keim inquired regarding what type of worker Samuel is, Hill replied, "He's the type of guy that once he gets something in his mind and he puts those blinders on, he's going full speed. We are going at 6 am right now. He is going two or three sessions a day, going to bed and waking up the next day, and going after it again." Hill expressed that Samuel always takes a month to six weeks off after the season, but then once he starts working out again, he is on the gas pedal. Hill even went as far as to use the word "disciplined" regarding Samuel's workouts. Knowing of the photos and videos featuring Samuel that circulated a couple of months ago, Hill attempted to assure Commanders fans that Samuel had never reported to training camp or begun a season overweight. Contending that Samuel is naturally built bigger, Hill was unrelenting with Keim that Samuel will never be a 180-pound receiver. He simply has too much muscle and is too big; he will most often play at 220 at this stage of his career. Apparently, Samuel has also expressed to Hill that he is enjoying his new identity as a receiver on the Commanders, who is here to prove himself under his one-year deal. Good luck trying to tackle Deebo Samuel in 2025. This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Good luck trying to tackle Commanders WR Deebo Samuel in 2025
Yahoo
36 minutes ago
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Commanders WR Deebo Samuel kept receipts
Deebo Samuel did not forget some of the terrible things said about him this offseason. You can see it in the workout videos that those close to Samuel have shared. His personal trainer recently said Samuel weighed 220 pounds. Could you imagine trying to tackle Samuel in the open field? During last month's minicamp, a video of Samuel jogging during a route went viral. There was nothing to it. Of course, social media engagement accounts "like" and share the photo, with some snarky comments, either insinuating that Samuel was out of shape or giving a half-hearted effort. Samuel has the receipts. In a video shared on his Instagram on Friday, Samuel shared several of those X posts in rapid-fire fashion, mixed in with his workouts, whether in the weight room or on the field. He even offered a two-finger salute to his "critics." Check it out: Samuel has always played with a chip on his shoulder. When he was traded in March, that chip grew. He's also playing in the final year of his contract, so he has much to prove. He's seen all of the nasty comments mocking him — mostly from Eagles fans — and he's out to prove the Commanders were correct in trading for him. While it's early, Samuel has looked terrific in training camp. The Commanders believe they're getting the best of a motivated Samuel in 2025. Washington fans hope he saves some of that anger for the two Philadelphia meetings late in the season. This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders WR Deebo Samuel has a message for all of his critics
