Is Matt Olson Related to Greg Olson? the Truth Behind the Famous Mlb Surnames
By Chloe Bennett
Matt Olson did not grow up in an MLB clubhouse. He grew up in suburban Gwinnett County, Georgia, raised by his parents, Scott Olson and Lee Olson. His father, Scott, never played professional baseball; he worked in architecture and construction. Scott invested countless hours coaching youth travel teams and pitching batting practice to Matt and his older brother, Zack.
The athletic bloodlines in the Olson household run through collegiate competition rather than the big leagues. Zack Olson developed into a standout pitcher at Parkview High School in Lilburn, Georgia, before pitching for Harvard University between 2013 and 2016. Matt followed his brother through Parkview High, driving the Panthers to back-to-back Georgia Class 5A state championships in 2011 and 2012.
The Athletics selected Matt in the first round of the 2012 MLB Draft with the 47th overall pick. When Oakland traded him home to Atlanta a decade later, Matt was returning to his childhood stomping grounds, not his father’s former employer. Scott and Lee Olson still live in the Atlanta metropolitan area, frequently sitting behind home plate at Truist Park to watch their son play for the hometown club.
Chloe Bennett explores the intersection of pop culture, streaming entertainment, digital trends, and contemporary lifestyle. Her weekly commentary reaches thousands of culture enthusiasts.
