Mother's Day reflection: Finnegan in awe of 'superstar' wife

This story was excerpted from Jessica Camerato’s Nationals Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

Kyle Finnegan grinded for seven seasons in the Minor Leagues. As his journey took ups and downs through the Athletics organization, he had a grounding support.

His wife, Rachel, rooted their family, built her own career in human resources and encouraged Finnegan to reach his dream -- his Major League debut with the Nationals in 2020 at age 28.

“She's the superstar,” Finnegan said on Mother’s Day weekend. “I don't know that I would have been able to play as long as I did without her.”

Kyle and Rachel attended the same schools from elementary through college. Kyle recalled how Rachel, a grade ahead of him, was a two-time student-athlete of the year in middle school.

“I never won it, so she’s got that on me,” Finnegan said with a smile. “We actually found out a couple weeks ago that our daughter was nominated for student-athlete of the year, so she’s following in her mom’s footsteps.”

It wasn’t until their time at Texas State University that Kyle and Rachel began hanging out.

“I had my eye on her, but she wasn’t giving me a chance,” Kyle said. “So I was playing the long game.”

The Finnegans are now a family of five, with a 13-year-old and 3 1/2-year-old twins. Kyle is in awe of how his wife keeps everything running smoothly while he is playing a full baseball season.

“She's the most giving person I've ever known,” said Finnegan. “She puts everybody else's needs before hers -- sometimes too much. I tell her all the time, she needs to be more selfish and do things for herself. But she loves being together as a family. … She makes every day special for the kids, which is hard to do.”

For all the years Kyle has known Rachel, how would he answer this quick prompt?

“Fill in the blank: My wife makes me a better person because ____.”

“She challenges me,” he replied without hesitation.