History of Matt Olson in Timeline

Matt Olson is a professional baseball first baseman currently playing for the Atlanta Braves in MLB. Prior to joining the Braves, Olson played for the Oakland Athletics. He is known for his power hitting.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1986: Opening Day walk-off grand slam

On July 24, 2020, Matt Olson had the first Opening Day walk-off grand slam since 1986.

March 29, 1994: Matt Olson's Birth

On March 29, 1994, Matthew Kent Olson was born. He is an American professional baseball first baseman.

Others born on this day/year

2005: Andruw Jones last 50 Home Run Season

In 2023, Matt Olson became the second-ever member of the 50 home run club from the Braves, following Andruw Jones in 2005.

2011: State Championship

In 2011, Matt Olson led the Parkview Panthers to back-to-back state championships.

2012: Drafted by the Athletics

In 2012, Olson was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the first round of the MLB draft.

2013: Plays for the Beloit Snappers

In 2013, Olson played with the Beloit Snappers, hitting .225/.326/.435 with 23 home runs and 93 RBIs in 134 games.

2014: Plays for the Stockton Ports

In 2014, Olson played for the Stockton Ports, batting .262/.404/.543 with 37 home runs and 97 RBIs in 138 games. He led all minor leaguers with 500 or more plate appearances with a walk percentage of 18.5%.

2014: Freddie Freeman contract

In March 15, 2022, Olson signed an 8-year contract extension worth $168 million, surpassing Freddie Freeman's eight-year deal worth $135 million signed in 2014.

2015: Plays for the Midland RockHounds

In 2015, Olson played for the Midland RockHounds, hitting .249 with 17 home runs and 75 RBIs in 133 games.

September 12, 2016: Contract Purchased by the Athletics

On September 12, 2016, the Athletics purchased Olson's contract, and he was called up to the major league club, playing in 11 games for Oakland.

2016: MLB Debut

In 2016, Olson made his MLB debut with the Oakland Athletics.

2016: Plays for the Nashville Sounds

In 2016, Olson played the entire minor league season with the Nashville Sounds, batting .235 with 17 home runs and 60 RBIs in 131 games.

2017: Splits time between Nashville and 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, and in 59 games for Oakland, he hit .259 with 24 home runs and 45 RBIs.

2017: Wears number 28

In 2022, Olson started wearing number 28 upon his 2017 major league promotion to Oakland because his preferred number (21) was then being used by Stephen Vogt.

2018: Full Season with Oakland and First Gold Glove Award

In 2018, Olson played all 162 games with Oakland, hitting .247 with 29 home runs and 84 RBIs. He also won his first Gold Glove Award.

February 2019: Parkview High School Retired Number

In February 2019, Parkview High School retired Matt Olson's uniform number, No. 21.

2019: Second Gold Glove Award

In 2019, Olson received his second consecutive Gold Glove Award for his defensive performance. He batted .267/.351/.545 for the 2019 season.

July 24, 2020: Opening Day walk-off grand slam

On July 24, 2020, Olson hit the first Opening Day walk-off grand slam since 1986.

November 2021: Marriage to Nicole

In November 2021, Olson and his wife Nicole married.

2021: All-Star Selection and Team Leader

In 2021, Olson led the team in multiple categories and was selected for the 2021 Major League Baseball All-Star Game and participated in the 2021 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby.

2021: MLB All-Star

In 2021, Olson was an MLB All-Star.

March 14, 2022: Traded to the Atlanta Braves

On March 14, 2022, the Athletics traded Olson to the Atlanta Braves.

2022: Traded to the Braves

Prior to the 2022 season, Olson was traded to the Atlanta Braves and signed an eight-year contract extension.

2023: Franchise Home Run Records

During the 2023 season, Olson was nominated as a reserve infielder for the National League in the 2023 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. Olson set a franchise record for the quickest 40-homer season, became the second-ever member of the 50 home run club from the Braves, tied, then broke, Jones' franchise record for home runs in a season, and set the live-ball era franchise single-season record for runs batted in. After the 2023 season, Olson was named the winner of the National League Silver Slugger Award for first basemen.

2023: MLB All-Star

In 2023, Olson was an MLB All-Star.

2023: Roberto Clemente Award Nomination

In 2023, Olson was the Atlanta Braves' nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award and is involved with ReClif, a treatment and fitness center for people on the autism spectrum.