(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
In the era of load management, platoons, and a higher number of injuries, Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson is a unicorn.
Olson is known as a modern day “ironman,” a player who just doesn’t miss games.
Of course, staying healthy for the 162 games of a season requires training, excellent eating habits, sleep, and even good genes.
It’s safe to say Olson has them, or at least does what it takes to take care of his body and be able to play every day.
The Braves slugger has taken part in 496 consecutive games and that, of course, has (recent) historical implications.
“Matt Olson has played 496 consecutive games, dating to 5/2/21. Only longer streaks since 2000: 2000-07 Miguel Tejada: 1,152; 2018-22 Whit Merrifield: 553; 2010-14 Prince Fielder: 547; 2000-03 Alex Rodriguez: 546; 2003-06 Hideki Matsui: 518; 2004-07 Mark Teixeira: 507,” MLB stats expert Sarah Langs tweeted.
Matt Olson has played 496 consecutive games, dating to 5/2/21
only longer streaks since 2000:
2000-07 Miguel Tejada: 1,152
2018-22 Whit Merrifield: 553
2010-14 Prince Fielder: 547
2000-03 Alex Rodriguez: 546
2003-06 Hideki Matsui: 518
2004-07 Mark Teixeira: 507
h/t…
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) May 14, 2024
Not only does Olson thrive by being available all the time, he is also a very good baseball player.
He has a reputation for being an outstanding fielder, and he is a career .254/.350/.515 hitter with a .865 OPS and 234 home runs.
Last year, he led the league with 54 dingers, and has accumulated four this season.
He has played every game in the 2024 season, the entire 162-game calendar in 2022 and 2023, and 156 games in 2021, the year in which his streak started.
He also was in uniform for every game of the season in 2018 and 2020.
Players like him are not common these days, and he definitely deserves recognition.
With a .686 OPS this year with the Braves, he hasn’t gotten going yet, but once he does, Atlanta’s lineup will be almost impossible to navigate.
The post Matt Olson Is Riding A Historic Streak appeared first on The Cold Wire.
Such a well-structured and engaging article. Thank you!