ATLANTA, Georgia — On Lou Gehrig Day, Matt Olson made headlines with a decisive home run that secured a 4-3 victory for the Atlanta Braves against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Olson's tiebreaking shot was his 17th homer of the season, aided by a strong wind that helped it clear the right-field wall.
I did not think it was a homer. Luckily, we had some wind blowing out that way.
Matt Olson, Braves First Baseman
This memorable performance coincided with the 85th anniversary of Lou Gehrig's death from ALS, a condition that famously ended the legendary player's record streak of 2,130 consecutive games.
Olson, who has played in every game since May 2, 2021, now holds the longest active streak in Major League Baseball.
- Olson also doubled and scored a run, contributing to Atlanta's 3-2 lead.
- His streak is the longest since Miguel Tejada's 1,152 consecutive games from 2000 to 2007.
Braves manager Walt Weiss commended Olson's durability, drawing parallels between him and Gehrig.
Lou Gehrig was one of my all-time heroes. What a legacy he left behind.
Walt Weiss, Braves Manager
Olson joined the Braves in 2022 after a trade from the Athletics, stepping into a significant role following Freddie Freeman's departure. Since then, he has consistently delivered, hitting a franchise-record 54 home runs in 2023.
His commitment to playing daily is clear. Olson expressed, "I just don’t like sitting. I think you have a commitment to your teammates and the fans."
Olson's recognition of Gehrig's impact extends beyond baseball, as he raises awareness for ALS, a disease that continues to affect many.
A brutal disease. Every time we get a chance to bring some awareness to it, we’re all for it.
Matt Olson, Braves First Baseman