Matt Olson is entering the 2025 MLB season with a remarkable streak and an equally impressive reputation as one of the league’s most dependable players. At 30 years old, the Atlanta Braves first baseman has played 620 consecutive games.
This is a feat that places him in elite company in today’s game. MLB’s Sarah Langs goes into the significance of this kind of streak in the modern era.
Matt Olson: A Modern Iron Man in Baseball
Let’s be real—this is not your average “Iron Man” story, but it’s definitely got the makings of one for the modern era. Matt Olson hasn’t missed a game since May 2, 2021. That kind of durability while being one of (if not the best) best first basemen in the league is incredible.
Think about that for a second: we’re talking about three-plus seasons of showing up, day in and day out, in a league where rest days and load management are as common as sunflower seeds in the dugout.
This is an era of analytics-driven decisions. Every bit of fatigue is monitored, and every player’s performance is meticulously managed. Olson’s streak stands out as a grand slam in the ninth inning.
Balancing Durability and Performance
The streak itself isn’t just about durability. It’s about consistency, commitment, and a little bit of luck. Staying healthy for over 600 straight games is a challenge when you’re dealing with the physical grind of 162-game seasons.
Add in the travel, workouts, and, the pressure of being one of the game’s top performers and you realize how impressive this really is. Olson has managed to avoid serious injuries while maintaining his high level of play, which is no small feat.
An Elite Career with More to Come
Speaking of high-level play, Olson’s 2024 season wasn’t too shabby. He hit .247 with 29 home runs and 98 RBIs, pairing that with a .333 on-base percentage.
Those numbers might not match his jaw-dropping 2023 campaign when he smashed a career-high 54 home runs and drove in 139 runs to lead all of baseball.
But even when he’s not reaching those superstar heights, Olson remains a cornerstone for the Braves, delivering steady production and Gold Glove-level defense.
With a lifetime résumé that includes two All-Star appearances, two Gold Gloves, and a Silver Slugger award, Olson has already locked himself in as an elite first baseman in the league.
This streak is the kind of thing that adds a unique chapter to his story. It’s not Ripken, but Olson’s old-school grind-it-out approach is refreshing in an era when players are often sidelined by design.
As the Braves head into 2025, Olson’s streak will continue to be a testament to what’s possible when talent meets tenacity. Whether or not the streak extends further, he’s already proven that he’s a player you can count on every single day.
