​Last night in Atlanta, the Braves and Cardinals battled through a wall of rain that drenched the field and slowed their progress well into the Missouri night. The moment proved largely forgettable for the Braves, who fell in extra innings, save for one historic milestone that made headlines. When the game was officially recorded, Matt Olson of the Braves reached a remarkable personal milestone by extending his consecutive-game streak to 741 with Atlanta. In doing so, he surpassed franchise legend Dale Murphy to claim the top spot for the most consecutive games played in Braves history.
Dale Murphy’s ironman run began with the early years of the 1980s and spanned from 1981 until July 9, 1986, a 40-year gap behind Olson’s current achievement. Murphy spent most of his streak patrolling center field and came perilously close to it ending in April of that year after injuring his hand and requiring nine stitches following a collision with the outfield Plexiglas wall at Shea Stadium during a game against the New York Mets. Murphy’s streak symbolized his peak years, encompassing back-to-back National League MVP awards in 1982 and 1983, all five of his Gold Glove-winning seasons, and four Silver Slugger honors. It was a period of sustained excellence capstoned by Murphy’s continued presence on the field and his unwavering consistency.
Olson’s streak now sits at 875 consecutive games, placing him within striking distance of eighth all-time in MLB history, just 20 games behind Hall of Famer Stan Musial. Olson’s absence from the lineup has been rare in recent years, with his last missed time occurring in May 2021 while with the Oakland Athletics due to an eye contusion suffered during batting practice. Even before joining the Braves, Olson had started every game in the COVID-shortened 2020 season and in 2018, underscoring his durability.
Since being traded to Atlanta before the 2022 season, Olson has maintained a flawless level of availability, appearing in every Braves contest. Throughout this stretch, he has added to his accolades, becoming a three-time All-Star and earning a Gold Glove as well as a Silver Slugger award. His 2023 season saw him place as high as fourth in MVP voting, underscoring that the streak is about more than just games played; it reflects a level of reliability and performance that few players in the modern era can match. Olson’s current run elevates him into rarified air in the annals of MLB, marking him as the Braves’ iron man and a symbol of durability for the franchise as they continue to chase championships.