“I Promised My Mom I’d Never Leave Home”: Matt Olson’s $168M Deal Cements His Atlanta Legacy.vc
ATLANTA — In a move that resonates far beyond the diamond, Matt Olson, the Atlanta Braves’ hometown hero and first baseman, signed a six-year, $168 million extension on October 22, 2025, ensuring he’ll remain in red and navy through 2031. The deal, with a $28 million AAV, secures the 31-year-old Lilburn, Georgia, native as the cornerstone of a franchise he grew up cheering for, just 30 miles from Truist Park. “I promised my mom I’d never leave home,” Olson told reporters, his voice steady but emotional. “Home means everything.” For Scott and Lee Olson, watching their son honor that vow isn’t just a contract—it’s a love story woven with loyalty, family, and the heartbeat of Braves baseball.
A Promise Kept: The Hometown Hero’s Journey
Born and raised in Lilburn, Olson idolized Braves legends like Chipper Jones and frequented Turner Field with his parents. Drafted by the A’s in 2012, he returned to Atlanta in a 2022 blockbuster trade for Christian Pache and others, fulfilling a childhood dream. His initial eight-year, $168M contract (2022-29) set the stage, but this new extension—reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan—replaces the final years, adding stability amid a turbulent 2025 season (89-73, NLDS exit). “It’s not about the money,” Olson said, referencing his parents, Scott and Lee, who still live in Lilburn. “It’s about keeping a promise to my mom and dad—to stay where my heart is.”
Olson’s 2025 campaign was a masterclass: a .247/.333/.496 slash line, 43 home runs (3rd in NL), 132 RBIs (2nd), and a 133 OPS+, earning him a Silver Slugger finalist nod alongside Freddie Freeman and Pete Alonso. His 4.6 bWAR and elite defense (8 outs above average) solidified his value, but it was his off-field impact—a viral hug with autistic fan Ethan in August 2025—that defined his legacy. “That moment showed who Matt is,” Lee Olson told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “He’s Atlanta’s son, on and off the field.”
Why Olson Stayed: Loyalty Over Lucrative Offers
Despite interest from teams like the Dodgers and Yankees, per MLB Trade Rumors, Olson rejected free agency speculation, choosing Atlanta over potentially larger offers. His decision mirrors Dansby Swanson’s loyalty to the Cubs, but for Olson, it’s deeply personal. Raised a Braves fan, he attended the 1995 World Series parade as a toddler, and his parents’ presence at Truist Park for every homestand fueled his resolve. “I can’t imagine playing anywhere else,” he said, per MLB.com. The $168M deal, with incentives tied to MVP votes and playoff performance, aligns with Atlanta’s win-now ethos under GM Alex Anthopoulos, who called Olson “the soul of this team.”
Impact on Braves’ 2026 Outlook
Olson’s extension stabilizes a roster facing upheaval: Ronald Acuña Jr. trade rumors, Sean Murphy’s potential exit, and Danny Lehmann’s emergence as manager. With Ozzie Albies and Austin Riley locked in, Olson’s bat—projected for 40+ HRs again—anchors a lineup seeking to overcome 2025’s .225 RISP woes. His leadership, praised by Chipper Jones on X as “the glue we need,” pairs with a rotation (Sale, Strider, Schwellenbach) eyeing health. Fans erupted on X: “Matt Olson staying home? That’s Braves baseball!” garnered 45K likes.
A Love Story Beyond the Numbers
For Scott and Lee Olson, watching Matt crush homers at Truist is personal. “Every game feels like he’s playing for us,” Scott told SI.com. His promise to his mother—never to leave Georgia—reflects a rare loyalty in a sport of transient stars. As Atlanta chases a 2026 World Series, Olson’s $168M deal isn’t just business; it’s a legacy of love, family, and Braves pride.
