Will Braves first baseman Matt Olson be the last MLB Iron Man of the 21st century?

It was 29 years in the past this month that Cal Ripken Jr. confirmed us what a Twentieth-century Iron Man regarded like. By which we imply this.

OTD in 1995, Cal Ripken Jr. took a victory lap for the ages after taking part in in his 2,131st consecutive recreation and formally breaking Lou Gehrig’s historic streak 👏🧡🖤 pic.twitter.com/hzfFD2ciNz

— MLB (@MLB) September 6, 2024

However in case you hadn’t observed, it’s a really completely different time to be a baseball participant in North America. So on that word, right here’s what a Twenty first-century Iron Man seems like.

Matt Olson is closing in on his fourth profession season of 162 video games performed. (Dale Zanine / USA At the moment)

That’s Matt Olson, who is probably not as iconic as Ripken however nonetheless is a person with two present Iron Man claims to fame:

1) He has been an Atlanta Courageous for 3 seasons now. You possibly can find him at first base in each darned recreation the Braves have performed in that span — all 473 of them, probably the most video games performed by anybody in baseball for the reason that begin of 2022.

2) However that’s not all, as a result of when you roll the Iron Man clock again to his time in Oakland, Olson simply blew previous a really cool spherical quantity: 600 video games performed in a row.

So … solely one other 2,000, and he’ll be respiration down Ripken’s neck hairs. Proper? You assume he’ll take a kind of Ripken-esque victory laps when he breaks the Iron Man report … in 2037?

“What’s that — like, 18 years?” Olson stated, with a mathematically incorrect chuckle. “Yeah, if I’m taking part in after I’m 48, I’ll take a victory lap.”

Aw heck, it’s solely one other 13 years. So he’s nearly there. Or not. However neglect that Ripken stuff. We’re really calling your consideration to Olson’s streak as a result of he is about to move one other legendary identify. And as soon as he does, he’ll carve out a slice of Iron Man historical past that will probably be all his.

This Thursday, based on STATS Carry out, Olson is in line to play in his 477th consecutive recreation as a primary baseman. And why is that so particular? As a result of he’ll tie Pete Rose that day for the longest streak of video games performed at first base within the final 80 years.

As soon as Olson passes Rose, he’ll personal the second-longest streak at first base since Lou Gehrig — behind solely Frank (Buck) McCormick of the 1938-42 Cincinnati Reds (652 in a row). And it is going to give Olson the fourth-longest streak at first of anybody within the fashionable period not named Gehrig, trailing simply McCormick, Fred Luderus (533) and Gus Suhr (505).

“These are some cool names for positive,” Olson stated. “Particularly these days.”

Luckily for us, he then helpfully equipped his personal definition of “these days.”

These days, load administration has grow to be a factor on this sport, regardless that, in Olson’s eyes, “we’re not full NBA.” And these days, matchups have additionally grow to be a factor. By no means in historical past have there been fewer true on a regular basis gamers, as extra groups play platoon-advantage, mix-and-match lineup bingo all around the diamond.

So let’s take into consideration this. Will there ever be one other Ripken? Will there ever even be one other Matt Olson? Is the entire Iron Man idea dying earlier than our eyes? And whether it is, is {that a} good factor — a wise, scientific, health-driven factor? Or is it one other once-romantic baseball phenomenon that’s being pushed out of the game by the brand new wave of deep, analytical pondering?

All Olson got down to do when he started this streak was play, and be there for his group. However his streak has additionally given us a motive to dig in on what this all means. So let’s try this, OK?

Let’s discuss historical past

Earlier than we get into why Matt Olson does what he does — and why the Braves are all-in on him doing it — let’s look deeper into simply how uncommon that is.

Life after Ripken — Do you know that since Ripken’s streak of two,632 consecutive video games performed resulted in 1998, Olson is barely the second participant to have a consecutive video games streak of 600 video games or longer? The opposite: Miguel Tejada, who performed in 1,152 in a row from 2000-07.

He’s properly positioned — However it’s the variety of video games Olson has strung collectively, whereas taking part in protection at his place, that really separates his streak from nearly each different latest Iron Man streak.

Even Tejada performed “solely” 807 consecutive video games at shortstop (from 2000-05), based on STATS. So Olson might move him, for the longest streak at any place since Ripken, by April 2027.

And by the top of this season, solely six males would rank forward of Olson for the longest streaks at any place within the final 80 years:

(Supply: STATS Carry out; *projected complete at finish of season)

A related aspect word about that record: Simply two of these six gamers (Ripken and Tejada) compiled these streaks within the 162-game period, now six a long time previous.

Cal Ripken Jr. jokes with Miguel Tejada through the tenth anniversary celebration of his record-breaking 2,131st consecutive recreation. (Matthew S. Gunby / Related Press)

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The place’s Garvey? We all know what you’re pondering: What about Steve Garvey, who famously strung collectively a 1,207-game streak from 1975-83, as the primary baseman for the Dodgers and Padres? Glorious query!

Garvey’s streak is considered one of three 1,000-gamers (or longer) within the final half-century. However it didn’t make the record above as a result of he prolonged it seven instances with pinch-hitting appearances. Subsequently, it doesn’t qualify for the leaderboard of longest streaks taking part in first base. And that’s an vital distinction.

Who’s on first — Wouldn’t it shock you to know that it’s not out of the query that Olson might catch Gehrig himself? It shocked us. However we’re not speaking about Gehrig’s fabled 2,130-game streak that Ripken handed. This is able to be solely his longest streak whereas taking part in first base.

Do you know that Gehrig sometimes wore an outfield glove when the Yankees wanted him to? Look it up.

And since he did, his longest consecutive-games streak whereas taking part in first was “solely” 885 video games, from 1925-30, based on STATS. That signifies that if Olson can maintain going, he might grind previous that Gehrig streak in July 2027 … and (amazingly) rank No. 1 within the fashionable period. That would really occur.

At that time, solely two males within the fashionable period would stand in entrance of Olson at any place:

(Supply: STATS Carry out)

Are we getting forward of ourselves? After all we’re. However what the heck. Olson has no intention of pulling the plug on this streak any time quickly. So he’s nearer to big-time Iron Man historical past than anybody appears to have observed. Now let’s have a look at what drives him.

Why Matt Olson simply retains on posting

Lengthy earlier than Matt Olson started streaking towards Rose and Gehrig, he performed all 162 video games for the A’s again in 2018. He was 24. It was his first full season within the large leagues. However he didn’t be a part of the 162-Sport Membership simply because the A’s had nobody else to play first. No, even again then, Olson was a person with a objective.

“It’s type of how I used to be wired, rising up, a bit of bit anyway,” he stated. “However after I received to the massive leagues, Marcus Semien was there in Oakland. And he was adamant about taking part in daily.”

You hear Semien’s identify so much when this topic comes up. Possibly as a result of the Rangers’ second baseman is about to rack up his eighth season taking part in 155 video games or extra, in simply 10 seasons as a daily within the large leagues. What number of different gamers have accomplished that over these final 10 seasons? Yep, none.

Semien has had three seasons in that span when he performed all 162 video games. That’s tied for probably the most amongst all lively gamers. Need to guess who’s tied with him? Proper. Matt Olson.

So at the same time as he was nonetheless determining easy methods to be an on a regular basis participant, Olson had Semien’s voice in his ear, preaching the which means of actually taking part in daily. All these years later, that voice continues to be there. He was so aware of Semien’s willpower to will his manner into the lineup daily, it was arduous for Olson — and the remainder of these A’s — to check what would occur if anybody even tried to make Semien take a break day.

“I don’t assume anyone wished to search out out,” Olson stated. “I bear in mind he had, like, a bit of wrist factor occurring one time — some irritation, that kind of factor. The workers wished to present him a pair days off. I don’t know precisely the way it went. I simply know there have been some phrases exchanged. Then positive sufficient, he’s within the lineup that night time.

“What Marcus at all times preached was: You owe it to your teammates and the followers (to be on the market). And also you receives a commission to play. You’re not going to be 100% each recreation. However you understand, a whole lot of instances, Marcus Semien at 85 % is healthier than a whole lot of different folks’s 100%. So that you simply have to have the ability to discover easy methods to navigate it, perhaps reduce some workload down earlier than the sport … so that you discover a approach to be on the market.”

Now, that’s precisely what Olson preaches to the gamers round him. He says that since he arrived in Atlanta, he has by no means as soon as needed to battle his manner into the lineup — and has by no means been bodily hurting sufficient that his well being even turned a query.

“The best way I have a look at it, you’re both damage damage, otherwise you’re in a position to go,” he stated. “So knock on wooden, I haven’t had a whole lot of these, like, midway accidents — you understand, one thing the place they let you know relaxation would assist however you’re not completely damage.”

So he’s a agency believer within the previous Marcus Semien adage: If it’s not damaged, you’ll be able to play. However he additionally has seen sufficient of his teammates go down round him that he is aware of how lucky he’s that every one that stuff that may occur in baseball hasn’t occurred to him.

“There’s a ton of luck concerned with that,” he stated. “You realize, shoot, simply have a look at our final 30 video games, of (all of the) guys getting hit by pitches.”

There was someday in September 2022 when his supervisor, Brian Snitker, didn’t begin him, on a Saturday afternoon in Philadelphia. It was Sport 152 of Olson’s first season in Atlanta. So his streak wasn’t a subject but. And Snitker acknowledged he wished to present his first baseman some type of breather — however knew getting in it nearly actually wouldn’t be for all 9 innings.

“I stated (to him): ‘You realize what? We’ve received to win, like 12-0, for you to not play in that recreation,” Snitker recalled.

So positive sufficient, he subbed Olson in for protection within the eighth inning. Olson has began daily since. However that may solely occur if his group buys into the which means of that. So let’s have a look at …

Why the Braves are on board

Matt Olson admires a house run. “The gamers are those that set the tradition,” Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos stated. (Brad Penner / USA At the moment)

Is much less actually extra? Individuals might imagine that manner now within the inside sanctum of most franchises. However in Atlanta, they’ve a distinct motto:

Extra is extra.

Nowhere else in baseball is the idea of posting up extra ingrained within the tradition than it’s within the heartbeat of the Atlanta Braves. Keep in mind 2021, when their whole beginning infield performed between 156 and 160 video games, lacking 13 video games mixed? That wasn’t an aberration. It’s what they do.

So a part of why he’s so dedicated to going on the market, Olson stated, is that he grew up in Georgia as a Braves fan … “and that’s simply what they’ve accomplished eternally. Possibly it’s as a result of perhaps I grew up watching the Braves, and I beloved seeing the fellows within the lineup daily.”

That work ethic was preached by Chipper Jones, again when he was taking part in greater than 150 video games in eight seasons in a row. It was handed right down to Freddie Freeman, who had six seasons as a Courageous wherein he missed 5 video games or fewer. Now, it’s Olson … and Austin Riley … and Ozzie Albies … who maintain that tradition alive, damaged bones however.

“I don’t imagine that it’s the group that’s setting the tradition,” Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos stated. “The gamers are those that set the tradition. That’s impacted by what gamers we purchase. However look, the ‘Video games Performed’ column is one thing we checked out with Matt Olson. … Clearly, he’s an excellent participant, however that’s a part of what drew us to him as properly.”

And by no means have the Braves appreciated that high quality greater than this yr, when it feels as if some kind of freak harm has knocked out everyone on the roster … besides Matt Olson.

However it isn’t simply the Braves’ harm epidemic that Olson has needed to dodge this yr. It’s a pressure that may typically be even more durable to keep away from:

The Noise.

Once you hit 54 homers with a .993 OPS one yr … after which sag to 25 homers with a .764 OPS the following, it’s superb how all these standing ovations can flip into The Noise. When your OPS plunges by greater than 200 factors, The Noise can flip a man’s dedication to taking part in daily into a complete completely different narrative: He’s egocentric. He wants a relaxation. He’s killing that group. Blahblahblah.

That noise is on the market. But when the Braves hear it, or care about it, they’re doing a wonderful job of disguising it.

“I hear it,” Snitker stated. “However I don’t take note of it, as a result of I’ll discuss to the participant. And if he appears like he wants a break day, then I’ll. However I by no means (thought that), watching (Olson) and the way he dealt with every little thing. It wasn’t going like he actually wished. However you understand what? He got here to work daily, the identical man, and I by no means noticed that he was drained. … So I simply by no means felt like he wanted it.”

Olson, not surprisingly, seconds that movement.

“You by no means know when your day goes to be,” he stated. “You realize, if it’s going dangerous, positive, I can see the advantage of typically sitting again and watching the sport. However it doesn’t resolve the issue. The one factor you are able to do is go on the market and work your manner out of one thing that’s not going properly. So it’s by no means been one thing that’s actually crossed my thoughts.”

However there’s a much bigger query on the market — and it isn’t solely about Matt Olson. So let’s simply ask it …

Is it OK to disregard load administration?

If Cal Ripken Jr. was simply arriving within the large leagues in 2024, what would the percentages be that he’d be chasing down Lou Gehrig’s report sometime? What do you assume … 10 %? … 5 %? … 0 %?

I requested that query of considered one of baseball’s brightest workload-management authorities, Casey Mulholland, the opposite day. He discovered it simply as intriguing as you’d think about.

“It will kind of rely upon what group he’s taking part in for,” Mulholland stated. “It will rely upon how a lot they worth the concept of him being a franchise participant for them.”

Would he be taking part in for a group that didn’t imagine anyone ought to play greater than 150 video games? Or would he be taking part in for a group that did what Ripken’s Orioles did again within the day — take heed to him all these instances when he stated: “I’m not likely damage. Let me play. I can do that.”

“Gamers are nonetheless having that dialogue,” stated Mulholland, the founder/lead developer at KineticPro Efficiency in Tampa, Fla. “Simply now, it’s changing into far more scientific, a way more mathematical dialogue, versus, ‘Hey, I really feel good,’ and we’re going to speak (about these) emotions and put them again on the market on the sphere. I believe that’s the distinction.”

You most likely can guess the place the Braves stand on the load-management spectrum. However when Snitker was requested, level clean, whether or not he believes in load administration, he didn’t hedge.

“No,” he replied, succinctly. “I believe these guys prepare to do that daily, proper? As a result of (that’s) the Braves’ tradition. … We’ve had guys with damaged bones and issues like that. However (that mindset of taking part in daily), I believe that retains them from getting the soft-tissue stuff and pulled muscle mass and every little thing.

“I’ve discovered that through the years. I used to assume that, however after being with these guys and speaking to the fellows which can be doing it daily, yeah, they’ve made a believer out of me.”

 It’s best to know that regardless that Snitker is 68 and a baseball lifer, he usually shows a steadiness between new-age analytic ideas and age-old baseball knowledge. However which of these is “Much less is Extra”? We ask as a result of there’s no less complicated approach to clarify the concept behind load administration than that: Much less actually could be extra. And the science proves it.

Mulholland usually makes use of the analogy of a man operating a marathon who had by no means educated to run these 26 miles. Everyone knows how that works out.

“So then guys get fatigued, after which guys get damage,” Mulholland stated. “And that’s the concept of load administration. We’re making an attempt to keep away from fatigue.”

However to be accomplished proper, load administration must be nuanced. Wearable expertise can present vital, detailed info on what athletes are and aren’t able to. However Mulholland asks: Are groups really utilizing that information? Are these athletes even granting them permission to make use of it? And if not, and groups are simply utilizing arbitrary limits — 100 pitches for each pitcher, 150 video games a yr for each place participant — that may create a complete completely different set of points.

Or then there’s the much more primary query: What if this man has educated to run that marathon?

And that’s precisely how Anthopoulos seems at Matt Olson — as simply the most recent star participant he’s been round who has devoted his life, on and off the sphere, to the concept that it’s vital to play daily.

“So if he’s not on the harm report and he’s not complaining of something,” Anthopoulos stated, “we’ve simply had too a few years and too many examples of (what he’s able to). The man was a top-four MVP candidate final yr, and performed daily. … He’s been an elite participant with all these video games performed. So it’s arduous to only unexpectedly level to that and say he wants a relaxation.”

If fatigue was the issue this yr, how will we clarify why August was Olson’s greatest month (eight residence runs, .573 slugging proportion, .912 OPS) of the season?

The Braves have regarded lengthy and arduous on the idea of load administration. However additionally they imagine within the worth of a centerpiece participant who sends a message to everybody round him that the hunt for greatness begins with work ethic.

“It’s all simply been a mentality,” Anthopoulos stated. “And look, clearly, a few of it’s luck. You will get hit by a pitch, and so forth. However these guys that publish and play daily, yr after yr, I don’t assume it’s a coincidence. I don’t assume it’s luck. There’s undoubtedly a typical trait to all these guys.”

And Matt Olson is all about that trait. He is aware of his streak will finish sometime, as a result of all streaks do. However when it does, it received’t be as a result of he and his group instantly have found a newfound perception in load administration.

“I’m not a fan of it,” Olson stated. “I imply, I can see the explanations for it. It’s an extended season. However it’s additionally a recreation of rhythm and movement. And I’d moderately simply proceed to go.”

— The Athletic’s David O’Brien contributed to this report. 

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(Prime photograph: Nick Wosika / Icon Sportswire through Getty Photos)