The Atlanta Braves first baseman eventually locked in, but he fell short of advancing past the first round of the Home Run Derby

When Matt Olson was recently asked a second time about attending the 2000 Home Run Derby with his parents at Turner Field, Braves teammate Chris Sale quickly turned his head and said, “Wait, you were actually there?

Atlanta’s All-Star first basemen will be in the center of the spotlight tonight as he swings with the best that MLB has to offer.

The Seattle Mariners slugger and North Carolina native launched a total of 54 home runs during the event at Truist Park, securing the crown as part of the All-Star Week festivities.

Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. was the first to commit to the event, to be held at his home yard, Truist Park in Atlanta. However, one day after the field was finalized, MLB announced that his teammate Matt Olson would replace him.

Olson took some good cuts and the hometown crowd was certainly behind him but it didn’t translate into a deep run for Atlanta’s first baseman.

Atlanta Braves slugger Matt Olson represented his home town in the 2025 Home Run Derby but fell just short against an impressive field of home run hitters.

Truist Park has a hometown favorite to cheer on in the Home Run Derby, but it isn't the player originally chosen to participate.

ATLANTA — Atlanta Braves' Matt Olson's Home Run Derby appearance came to a close after the first round Monday night. Olson hit 15 home runs, but failed to advance past the first round. This is his third All-Star appearance (second for the Braves). During the derby, Olson felt the admiration from the fans.

Matt Olson is living the dreams he had while growing up in suburban Atlanta. The Braves first baseman attended Parkview High School in nearby Lilburn, Ga., and was drafted by the A’s in the first round of the 2012 Draft.