Talk about Major League Baseball’s brilliant sense of timing. Because nothing says “let’s celebrate defensive excellence” quite like dropping the Gold Glove winners right after one of the wildest World Series we’ve seen in years and smack dab in the middle of an NFL Sunday. You can’t make this stuff up. It’s like MLB looked at the calendar and said, “Hmm, when is everyone definitely not paying attention to baseball? Perfect. Let’s go with that.”
Braves Had Two in the Hunt, But Only One Took Gold
Buried under all the football noise and post-Series hangover, we did get some hardware news, and if you’re an Atlanta Braves fan, there’s at least one reason to smile. Two Braves players were in the mix for Gold Gloves: Nick Allen at shortstop and Matt Olson at first base.
And let’s be real, Allen’s nomination felt more like a courtesy invite. Nothing against the guy, he’s got skills, but he didn’t exactly light up the headlines this season at all. On top of that, he was benched for Ha-Seong Kim down the stretch. That’s not usually the path to Gold Glove glory. So no surprise there — he didn’t take one home.
Olson Locks Down His Third — And Earns Every Bit of It
As for Matt Olson though, the guy delivered. Not only did he snag his third career Gold Glove, but he did it while holding down the fort at first base like an absolute pro. We’re talking soft hands, slick footwork, and more scoops than an ice cream truck in July. It’s the kind of consistent excellence that doesn’t always make highlight reels but absolutely wins games and earns respect.
This marks Olson’s third Gold Glove, and honestly, it’s well deserved. He’s one of those guys who makes tough plays look routine. A vacuum at first base with the instincts of a shortstop. It’s not flashy, but it’s effective, and if you’re a pitcher, he’s the guy you want behind you, cleaning up the infield chaos.
MLB Timing? Questionable. But Recognition? Spot On.
So while MLB might need a lesson or two in media strategy (seriously, who greenlit that announcement date?), the players getting recognized still deserve the spotlight — even if they have to share it with RedZone highlights and Monday morning quarterbacking. For Braves fans, there is at least something to cheer and celebrate now that the season has come to a close.
