Today, Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson crushed his 35th home run against the Milwaukee Brewers. His second home run of the game. That home run was record-breaking, as it moves him into first place on the single-season HR list for a Georgia-born Atlanta Brave.
Matt Olson’s 35th Home Run is the most in a single season by a Georgia-Born Atlanta Brave.
— Trent (@Trenciarte) July 30, 2023
The next record? Most HRs by a left handed batter in Braves history. Record currently held by Darrell Evans who hit 41 back in 1973. pic.twitter.com/IK5M5GA6Nw https://t.co/Wp80GXgAgP
He breaks the record set by.. Matt Olson in 2022. In Olson's debut season with his hometown Atlanta Braves, he hit 34 HRs to break the record held by Jeff Francouer, who hit 29 back in 2006.
The list is as follows:
1. Matt Olson 35 (2023)
2. Matt Olson 34 (2022)
3. Jeff Francouer 29 (2006)
4. Dansby Swanson 27 (2021)
5. Dansby Swanson 25 (2022)
T6. Brian McCann 24 (2006)
T6. Brian McCann 24 (2011)
T8. Brian McCann 23 (2008)
T8. Mack Jones 23 (1966)
With 59 games to play, Olson has plenty of time to distance himself from the rest of the list. As of this moment, Olson is hitting .259/.361/.584 35 HR, 79 R, 88 RBI with a .396 wOBA &148 wRC+.
Born in Atlanta Georgia, Matt Olson attended Parkview High School in Lilburn Georgia. He was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the first round of the 2012 draft. He would debut in 2016 and play across 6 seasons for the Athletics before being traded to his hometown Braves before the start of the 2022 season.
Olson came in late due to the impending lockout and did not have much time to acquaint himself with his current teammates and staff. He was also following in the footsteps of Freddie Freeman. Even with all the noise, Olson put together a solid 2022 season.
Now, in his second year with the club, he is showing exactly why the Braves made the move to go get him. He has been one of the best first baseman in all of baseball.
Up next in the record books is the most home runs by a left handed batter in Atlanta Braves history, currently held by Darrell Evans who smacked 41 back in 1973. Olson is currently on pace to threaten the all time Braves record for home runs in a single season, held by Andruw Jones who hit 51 back in 2005.