Athletics’ Nick Kurtz ties Mark McGwire’s on-base streak franchise record

Nick Kurtz is making history in Oakland. The Athletics first baseman reached base Monday, extending his on-base streak to 48 straight games, tying Mark McGwire for the longest single-season on-base streak in Athletics franchise history. It’s a historic milestone that puts Kurtz in the company of the greats and that underscores how special his 2026 campaign has been.

Nick Kurtz reaches base in his 48th consecutive game!

He ties Mark McGwire for the longest single-season on-base streak in @Athletics franchise history! pic.twitter.com/zMF05BZKcD

— MLB (@MLB) May 26, 2026

Matching McGwire is no small task. Big Mac was one of the most feared hitters in the history of the game, a man who terrorized American League pitching throughout his time in Oakland in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It’s pretty incredible that a young first baseman in just his second full season in the league is matching that level of production. Kurtz hasn’t been simply getting on base via walks or lucky infield hits, he’s been a steady, disciplined offensive force that has had opposing pitchers and managers making tough choices every single night.

It couldn’t be coming at a better time for an Athletics franchise that has been in the midst of a major rebuilding and relocation era, but is now atop the American League West. Kurtz’s emergence as a legitimate offensive cornerstone has been a bright spot. He’s giving the fans a reason to come out and pay attention. These streaks don’t happen by accident. They are the product of elite pitch recognition, elite plate discipline and a relentless competitive edge that separates good hitters from great ones. Kurtz has displayed all three of these characteristics in this run.

Now the franchise mark is tied and Kurtz has a chance to stand alone at the top of the Athletics’ all-time list as soon as his next game. Every plate appearance is must-see TV now. If he does it, it will be one of the signature individual accomplishments of the Athletics’ 2026 season, and perhaps a defining moment of the early career of one of baseball’s brightest young stars.

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