Matt Olson

{{redirect|Nicole Olson|the wife of the man shot at Cobb Theatre|Death of Chad Oulson}}

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Matt Olson

|image = Matt Olson at first base, Aug 05 2022 (cropped).jpg

|caption = Olson with the Atlanta Braves in 2022

|width =

|team = Atlanta Braves

|number = 28

|position = First baseman

|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1994|3|29}}

|birth_place = Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.

|bats = Left

|throws = Right

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = September 12

|debutyear = 2016

|debutteam = Oakland Athletics

|statyear = May 31, 2025

|statleague = MLB

|stat1label = Batting average

|stat1value = .254

|stat2label = Hits

|stat2value = 1,036

|stat3label = Home runs

|stat3value = 271

|stat4label = Runs batted in

|stat4value = 744

|teams =

Oakland Athletics ({{mlby|2016}}–{{mlby|2021}})
Atlanta Braves ({{mlby|2022}}–present)

|awards =

}}

Matthew Kent Olson (born March 29, 1994) is an American professional baseball first baseman for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Oakland Athletics.

Olson was drafted by the Athletics in the first round of the 2012 MLB draft and made his MLB debut with them in 2016. After six seasons with the Athletics, he was traded to the Braves prior to the 2022 season and signed an eight-year contract extension. Olson has won two Gold Glove Awards, a Silver Slugger Award, four Fielding Bible Awards, and was an MLB All-Star in 2021 and 2023.

Early life

Olson is the second son of Scott and Lee Olson.{{cite news |last1=McWilliams |first1=Julian |title=A's star Matt Olson has been groomed to be a franchise pillar by his mother |url=https://theathletic.com/352185/2018/05/13/as-star-matt-olson-has-been-groomed-to-be-a-franchise-pillar-by-his-mother/ |access-date=May 7, 2022 |work=The Athletic |date=March 18, 2018}} Scott Olson served as his sons' youth baseball coach,{{cite news |last1=Gallegos |first1=Martin |title=Olson's father gladly went the extra mile |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/matt-olson-very-grateful-for-his-father |access-date=May 7, 2022 |work=MLB.com |date=June 16, 2019}} until high school.{{cite news |last1=O'Brien |first1=David |title=Braves first baseman Matt Olson, shaped by bonds forged in Atlanta, comes home |url=https://theathletic.com/3229706/2022/04/06/braves-first-baseman-matt-olson-shaped-by-bonds-forged-in-atlanta-comes-home/ |access-date=May 7, 2022 |work=The Athletic |date=April 6, 2022}} Matt Olson's older brother, Zack, later pitched for the Harvard Crimson. Matt Olson attended Parkview High School in Lilburn, Georgia, where he played first base and pitched for the Parkview Panthers, leading them to back-to-back state championships in 2011 and 2012.{{cite web |last=Friedlander |first=David |date=June 8, 2012 |title=Olson comes up big in the clutch for Parkview |url=https://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/archive/olson-comes-up-big-in-the-clutch-for-parkview/article_54968e43-6cc0-5fbe-9e4d-24dafa8e6c4f.html |website=Gwinnett Daily Post}} Olson finished his high school career with a .431 batting average, 44 doubles, 45 home runs, 168 runs batted in (RBIs), and a fielding percentage over 0.980. He holds the Parkview High School and Gwinnett County records for wins and RBIs. His uniform number, No. 21, was retired by Parkview High School in February 2019.{{cite web |last=Troyke |first=Christine |date=February 7, 2019 |title=Parkview retires Matt Olson's baseball number |url=https://www.gwinnettprepsports.com/sports/parkview-retires-matt-olson-s-baseball-number/article_d0820f71-081e-5d91-bbfa-842d077e93ed.html |access-date=April 25, 2020 |website=Gwinnett Daily Post}} After graduating from high school with honors in 2012, Olson was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the first round of the 2012 Major League Baseball draft.{{Cite web|url=http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120604&content_id=32768792&vkey=news_oak&c_id=oak|title=Comp picks yield value in prep ranks for A's|first=Jane|last=Lee|work=MLB.com|date=June 4, 2012|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504222400/http://m.athletics.mlb.com/news/article/32768792|archivedate=May 4, 2016|accessdate=November 14, 2021}}{{cite web |last=Bernarde |first=Scott |date=June 5, 2012 |title=Parkview's Matt Olson Picked by the A's |url=https://patch.com/georgia/lilburn/parkview-s-matt-olson-picked-by-the-a-s |access-date=August 4, 2021 |website=Lilburn-Mountain Park, GA Patch}} He had committed to play college baseball at Vanderbilt University, but ultimately decided to forgo his commitment to the Commodores and signed with Oakland.{{cite web |last=Cortez |first=Javier |date=July 28, 2016 |title=One-time Vanderbilt commitment Matt Olson on track with Sounds |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/baseball/2016/07/28/one-time-vanderbilt-commitment-matt-olson-track-nashville-sounds/87568646/ |access-date=August 4, 2021 |website=The Tennessean}}

Professional career

File:Matt Olson.jpg

=Minor leagues=

Olson made his professional debut that season with the Arizona League Athletics and also played for the Vermont Lake Monsters that first season. In total, he played in 50 games and hit .282/.352/.521 with nine home runs and 45 RBIs.

In 2013, Olson played with the Beloit Snappers.{{cite web |last=Barry |first=John |date=April 2, 2013 |title=Athletics' No. 5 overall prospect brings big bat to Beloit lineup |url=https://www.gazettextra.com/archives/athletics-no-overall-prospect-brings-big-bat-to-beloit-lineup/article_311c1397-392e-5a12-9b90-8e376b9a75a4.html |access-date=August 4, 2021 |website=GazetteXtra}} In 134 games he hit .225/.326/.435 though still hit 23 home runs while driving in 93 RBIs.

Olson played the 2014 season with the Stockton Ports.{{cite web |last=Curtright |first=Guy |date=June 20, 2014 |title=MINOR LEAGUE NOTES: Parkview grad Matt Olson breaks out |url=https://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/archive/minor-league-notes-parkview-grad-matt-olson-breaks-out/article_2f3f913a-169f-549f-82cb-3a395cec2d9d.html |access-date=August 4, 2021 |website=Gwinnett Daily Post}} Throughout the season he was among the home run leaders in Minor League Baseball, as during the season he batted .262/.404/.543 with 37 home runs and 97 RBIs in 138 games, leading all minor leaguers with 500 or more plate appearances with a walk percentage of 18.5%.{{cite web |title=Matt Olson » Statistics » Batting - FanGraphs Baseball |url=https://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=14344&position=1B |website=www.fangraphs.com}}{{cite web |date=August 4, 2014 |title=Ports' Olson in contention to win home run award |url=https://www.recordnet.com/article/20140804/A_NEWS/140809954 |access-date=August 4, 2021 |website=RecordNet.com}} He played the 2015 season with the Midland RockHounds where he hit .249 with 17 home runs and 75 RBIs in 133 games. Olson played the entire 2016 minor league season with the Nashville Sounds. In 131 games, he batted .235 with 17 home runs and 60 RBIs.

=Oakland Athletics=

The Athletics purchased Olson's contract on September 12, 2016, and he was called up to the major league club.{{cite web |last=Slusser |first=Susan |date=September 12, 2016 |title=A's call up prospects Matt Olson, Renato Nunez |url=http://www.sfgate.com/athletics/article/A-s-call-up-prospects-Matt-Olson-Renato-Nunez-9217388.php |access-date=September 12, 2016 |website=San Francisco Gate}} He played in 11 games for Oakland. In 2017, Olson split time between Nashville and Oakland. In 79 games for Nashville, he batted .272 with 23 home runs and 60 RBIs,{{cite web |title=Matt Olson Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball |url=https://www.milb.com/player/matt-olson-621566 |access-date=June 22, 2018 |publisher=Minor League Baseball}} and in 59 games for Oakland, he hit .259 with 24 home runs and 45 RBIs. With Oakland, he hit 13 in September (a rookie record) and one in five straight games. It was tied for third-most home runs in a player's first 65 career games in MLB history.{{cite web |last=Spaeder |first=Ryan |date=September 19, 2017 |title=A's Matt Olson makes up for lost time with home run binge |url=http://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/news/matt-olson-oakland-athletics-career-home-runs-sanchez-bellinger-mcgwire-berger-65-games/3maejujnn41o12yi1lc2wzsux |access-date=August 4, 2021 |website=Sporting News}}

Olson spent all of 2018 with Oakland, playing all 162 games. On April 18, Olson hit his first career walk-off, an RBI single to secure a 12–11 comeback win over the Chicago White Sox.{{cite news |title=A's beat White Sox in 14-inning, nearly 6-hour game |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=380418111 |access-date=July 18, 2022 |agency=Associated Press |work=ESPN.com |date=April 18, 2018}} His first walk-off home run came in a game against the Houston Astros on August 17.{{cite news |last1=Park |first1=Do-Hyoung |title=Olson's walk-off homer lifts A's over Astros |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/matt-olson-s-walk-off-homer-beats-astros-c290829032 |access-date=July 18, 2022 |work=MLB.com |date=August 17, 2018}} On September 26, he hit his first career grand slam in a 9–3 victory over the Seattle Mariners.{{cite news |title=Olson's slam helps A's beat Mariners 9-3, close on Yankees |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=380926112 |access-date=July 18, 2022 |agency=Associated Press |work=ESPN.com}}{{cite web |last=Lee |first=Jane |date=September 26, 2018 |title=Olson's 1st slam, Davis' 47th HR pace A's win |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/matt-olson-hits-1st-career-grand-slam-in-win-c296237112 |access-date=August 4, 2021 |website=MLB.com |language=en}} Olson finished his 2018 campaign batting .247 with 29 home runs and 84 RBIs.{{cite web |date=May 17, 2019 |title=A's Matt Olson hasn't lost his power whatsoever after hand surgery |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/athletics/matt-olson-hasnt-lost-his-power-whatsoever-after-hand-surgery |access-date=August 4, 2021 |website=NBC Bay Area |language=en}} He also won his first Gold Glove Award, leading all AL first basemen with 14 defensive runs saved and an 11.6 ultimate zone rating.{{cite web |date=November 4, 2018 |title=Golden Corners: Chapman, Olson win first Gold Glove awards |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/athletics/matt-chapman-matt-olson-win-first-career-gold-glove-awards |access-date=August 4, 2021 |website=NBC Bay Area}}

Olson played in both games of the 2019 Opening Series in Tokyo, Japan. During the second game on March 21, he was removed from the game after he felt pain in his right hand. The next day, he underwent successful surgery to remove the hamate bone from the hand, returning to the lineup on May 7.{{cite web |last=Simon |first=Andrew |date=March 22, 2019 |title=Matt Olson undergoes surgery on hand |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/matt-olson-has-surgery-on-hand |access-date=March 22, 2019 |website=MLB.com}} He batted .267/.351/.545 for the 2019 season. On defense, he had a 13 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) rating, best among first basemen.{{cite web |date=January 1, 2019 |title=Major League Leaderboards » 2019 » First Basemen » Fielding Statistics | FanGraphs Baseball |url=https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=1b&stats=fld&lg=all&qual=y&type=1&season=2019&month=0&season1=2019&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&startdate=2019-01-01&enddate=2019-12-31&sort=13,d |access-date=October 7, 2019 |publisher=Fangraphs.com}} He received his second consecutive Gold Glove Award for his defensive performance.{{cite web |date=November 3, 2019 |title=A's Matt Chapman, Matt Olson win second career AL Gold Glove awards |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/athletics/matt-chapman-matt-olson-win-second-career-al-gold-glove-awards |access-date=April 20, 2020 |publisher=NBC Sports}}

On July 24, 2020, Olson hit the first Opening Day walk-off grand slam since 1986.{{cite news |last1=Rubin |first1=Shayna |title=A's: Matt Olson hits walk-off grand slam in Opening Day win over Angels |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/07/24/as-matt-olson-hits-walk-off-grand-slam-in-opening-day-win-over-angels/ |access-date=July 18, 2022 |work=Mercury News |date=July 24, 2020}} Olson struggled in the 2020 season shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, batting .195, although he led the Oakland A's in games played (60), home runs (14), and RBIs (42).{{cite web |title=2020 Oakland Athletics Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/OAK/2020.shtml |access-date=August 4, 2021 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}

In 2021, Olson led the team in games played (156), hits (153), home runs (39), RBIs (111), and walks (88); ranked second for batting average (.271) and on-base percentage (.371); and led the team in slugging percentage (.540).{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/OAK/2021.shtml|title=2021 Oakland Athletics Statistics|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} Olson was also selected for the 2021 Major League Baseball All-Star Game to represent the American League{{Cite web|date=July 4, 2021|title=A's Matt Olson Named American League All-Star|url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/a-s-matt-olson-named-american-league-all-star|website=MLB.com}} and participated in the 2021 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/matt-olson-hits-23-homers-in-2021-home-run-derby|title=Olson opens eyes with HR Derby round|website=MLB.com|date=July 12, 2021|first=Manny |last=Randhawa|accessdate=November 14, 2021}} Olson was a finalist for the Silver Slugger Award{{cite web|publisher=NBC Bay Area|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/athletics/matt-olson-named-2021-silver-slugger-finalist-al-first-basemen |title=Matt Olson named 2021 Silver Slugger finalist for AL first basemen|date=October 25, 2021 |accessdate=November 15, 2021}} and for the Gold Glove Award.{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/athletics/athletics-matt-chapman-sean-murphy-win-al-gold-glove-awards |title=Athletics' Matt Chapman, Sean Murphy win AL Gold Glove awards |publisher=NBC Bay Area |date=November 8, 2021 |accessdate=November 15, 2021}}

=Atlanta Braves=

On March 14, 2022, the Athletics traded Olson to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for Cristian Pache, Shea Langeliers, Joey Estes, and Ryan Cusick.{{Cite web |date=March 14, 2022 |title=Atlanta Braves acquire slugging 1B Matt Olson from Oakland Athletics |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/33502449/sources-atlanta-braves-acquire-slugging-1b-matt-olson-oakland-athletics |access-date=September 20, 2024 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press}}{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/a-s-get-cristian-pache-shea-langeliers-ryan-cusick-in-matt-olson-trade-to-braves|title=A's get Braves' top prospect Pache, 3 others in trade of Olson|date=March 14, 2022|access-date=March 14, 2022|work=MLB.com}} The next day, Olson signed an 8-year contract extension worth $168 million.{{Cite news |last=Bowman |first=Mark |date=March 15, 2022 |title=Braves sign new pickup Olson to 8-year deal |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/matt-olson-braves-contract |access-date=March 15, 2022 |work=MLB.com}} At the time it was announced, the extension was the largest contract in team history, surpassing an eight-year deal worth $135 million signed by Freddie Freeman in 2014.{{cite news |last1=Newberry |first1=Paul |title=Braves sign new 1B Olson to $168 million, 8-year contract |url=https://www.greenwichtime.com/sports/article/Braves-sign-new-1B-Olson-to-168-million-8-year-17003885.php |access-date=March 15, 2022 |work=Greenwich Time |agency=Associated Press |date=March 15, 2022|quote=One day after cutting ties with Freddie Freeman, the Atlanta Braves signed new first baseman Matt Olson to a $168 million, eight-year contract on Tuesday...The payout is the largest in Braves' history, surpassing the $135 million, eight-year deal that Freeman signed after the 2013 season.}} Its length and total value were exceeded by a contract given to teammate Austin Riley later that season. Olson primarily wore the number 28 jersey with the Oakland Athletics,{{cite news |last1=Gallegos |first1=Martin |title=The best A's player to wear each number |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/best-a-s-players-by-uniform-number |access-date=March 16, 2022 |work=MLB.com |date=December 1, 2021}} and used the same number upon signing with the Braves.{{cite news |last1=Olney |first1=Buster |author1-link=Buster Olney |title=Five free-agent fits for Freddie Freeman as Atlanta Braves move on |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/insider/story/_/id/33509186/five-free-agent-fits-freddie-freeman-atlanta-braves-move-on |access-date=March 16, 2022 |work=ESPN.com |date=March 15, 2022}} Olson started wearing number 28 upon his 2017 major league promotion to Oakland because his preferred number (21), which he wore to honor Jeff Francoeur, was then being used by Stephen Vogt.{{Cite news |last=Doolittle |first=Bradford |date=July 13, 2022 |title=MLB's most productive jersey numbers |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/34179059/power-derek-jeter-no-2-mlb-most-productive-jersey-numbers |access-date=March 8, 2025 |work=ESPN.com}} [https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/34226354/mlb-most-productive-jersey-numbers Republished in part.] Olson was one of two players in Major League Baseball to appear in all 162 games of the 2022 season, alongside teammate Dansby Swanson, who made 162 starts.{{cite news |last1=Bowman |first1=Mark |title=Rest, then Braves ready for postseason run |url=https://www.mlb.com/braves/news/braves-ready-to-rest-ramp-up-for-2022-playoffs-nlds-game-1 |access-date=October 6, 2022 |work=MLB.com |date=October 5, 2022}}

At the midseason of the 2023 season, Olson was again nominated as a reserve infielder for the National League in the 2023 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.{{cite news | url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-braves/great-eight-braves-set-franchise-record-with-eight-all-stars/RT3G4AHJL5C7LBWLR7XMX2UIIU/ | title=Great Eight: Braves set franchise record with eight All-Stars | newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution | last1=Toscano | first1=Justin }} In hitting his 40th home run of the 2023 season on August 10, Olson set a franchise record for the quickest 40-homer season.{{cite news |last1=Bowman |first1=Mark |title=Olson's torrid HR pace ties Ohtani, knocks down Braves mark |url=https://www.mlb.com/braves/news/matt-olson-becomes-fastest-brave-to-hit-40-homers-in-a-season |access-date=August 13, 2023 |work=MLB.com |date=August 10, 2023}} On September 11, he hit his fiftieth home run to become the second-ever member of the 50 home run club from the Braves, following Andruw Jones in 2005.{{cite news |last1=Bowman |first1=Mark |title=Olson, Acuña inch closer to history in twin bill with Philly |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/matt-olson-hits-50th-home-run-vs-phillies |access-date=September 17, 2023 |work=MLB.com |date=September 11, 2023}}{{Cite news |date=September 11, 2023 |title=Olson clubs 49th, 50th home runs; 1 shy of Jones' Braves mark |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/38383010/olson-clubs-49th-50-hrs-1-shy-jones-braves-mark |access-date=September 17, 2023 |work=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press}} Olson tied, then broke, Jones' franchise record for home runs in a season on September 12 and 16, respectively.{{cite news |last1=Bowman |first1=Mark |title=Olson hits 51st home run, tying Braves' franchise record |url=https://www.mlb.com/braves/news/matt-olson-braves-single-season-home-run-record |access-date=September 17, 2023 |work=MLB.com |date=September 12, 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Leckie |first1=Paige |title=Olson sets Braves' single-season record with 52nd homer |url=https://www.mlb.com/braves/news/matt-olson-breaks-braves-single-season-home-run-record |access-date=September 17, 2023 |work=MLB.com |date=September 16, 2023}} On September 28, Olson hit his 54th home run of the season and set the live-ball era franchise single-season record for runs batted in, which had been held by Eddie Mathews.{{cite news |last1=Bowman |first1=Mark |title=Olson breaks Braves' RBI record with 54th homer |url=https://www.mlb.com/braves/news/matt-olson-sets-braves-rbi-record |access-date=September 28, 2023 |publisher=MLB.com |date=September 28, 2023}} After the 2023 season, Olson was named the winner of the National League Silver Slugger Award for first basemen.{{cite news |title=Rangers haul in Silver Slugger Awards, including team honor |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/38858752/rangers-haul-silver-slugger-awards-including-team-honor |access-date=November 9, 2023 |agency=Reuters |publisher=ESPN.com |date=November 9, 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Murphy |first1=Brian |title=Power and glory: Here are your 2023 Silver Slugger winners |url=https://www.mlb.com/braves/news/silver-slugger-award-winners-2023 |access-date=November 9, 2023 |publisher=MLB.com |date=November 9, 2023}}

On April 19, 2025, Olson hit his 1,000th career hit against the Minnesota Twins, becoming the 1,394th player in MLB history to reach the milestone.{{cite web|url=https://motorcyclesports.net/matt-olson-slams-game-tying-double-to-reach-1000-career-hits-in-electrifying-milestone-moment-for-braves/|title=Matt Olson slams game-tying double to reach 1,000 career hits in electrifying milestone moment for Braves|website=motorcyclesports.net|date=April 20, 2025}}

Personal life

Olson and his wife Nicole married in November 2021.{{cite news |last1=Olson |first1=Matt |title=A day I'll never forget. A special weekend with friends and family. 11/20/21. So happy to call you my wife- I love you |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CWjXa2au8RK/ |publisher=Instagram |date=November 2021}}{{cite news |title=Matt Olson full Braves introduction press conference |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MMJutW-mWw |access-date=March 20, 2022 |agency=11Alive |publisher=YouTube |date=March 15, 2022}}{{cite news |title=Matt Olson signs long-term extension with Braves |date=March 15, 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvhv2PUKmOE |access-date=March 20, 2022 |agency=Bally Sports South |publisher=YouTube}} They reside in Atlanta, Georgia.{{Cite web |last=Brazil |first=Brodie |date=April 30, 2020 |title=Matt Olson Q&A: A's slugger working on special project in quarantine |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/athletics/matt-olson-qa-slugger-working-special-project-quarantine |access-date=August 4, 2021 |website=NBC Bay Area |language=en}}

Olson was the Atlanta Braves' 2023 nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award.{{cite news |last1=Castrovince |first1=Anthony |title=The 'Unspoken Bond' between Olson and longtime friend |url=https://www.mlb.com/braves/news/matt-olson-reece-blankenship-friendship |access-date=September 17, 2023 |work=MLB.com |date=September 12, 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Bowman |first1=Mark |title=Longtime friendship inspires Olson's charity event |url=https://www.mlb.com/braves/news/matt-olson-braves-reclif-fundraiser-autism-awareness |access-date=January 13, 2024 |publisher=MLB.com |date=January 13, 2024}} He is involved with ReClif, a treatment and fitness center for people on the autism spectrum.