In a momentous feat, Matt Olson has matched the Atlanta Braves’ single-season home run record, reaching an impressive 51 homers, a milestone originally set by Andruw Jones. Olson achieved this feat with a powerful solo shot against the Philadelphia Phillies during Tuesday night’s game.
Olson wasted no time, connecting with the very first pitch he received from starter Zack Wheeler in the fourth inning, sending the baseball soaring into the left-field seats. The enthusiastic fan who managed to catch the historic ball promptly threw it back onto the field. Just the night before, Olson had already showcased his home run prowess by hitting two homers against the Phillies, with his 50th home run requiring retrieval from another lucky fan.
Andruw Jones originally set this record back in 2005, also tallying 51 home runs in a single season. In response to Olson’s remarkable achievement, Jones conveyed his congratulations on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, writing, “way to go @mattolson21 proud of you keep it going 60?”
Olson’s monumental home run didn’t just tie the game at 1-all but also carried significant implications for the Atlanta Braves. The team required victories on both Tuesday and Wednesday to secure the National League East title right in Philadelphia. However, the Braves had already secured their spot in the playoffs, ensuring they’ll be part of the postseason action.
Notably, Olson has demonstrated a particular penchant for hitting home runs against the Phillies, with his latest blast marking his sixth against this team this season. He’s been on a home run spree in September, amassing eight homers in just 12 games.
In addition to his impressive home run tally, Olson has also racked up an impressive 128 RBIs this season, a remarkable achievement considering he had never hit more than 39 homers in a single season prior to this year. It’s worth noting that Jones and Olson stand as the only two Braves players in history to reach the monumental milestone of 50 home runs in a single season.