What does it take to fuel a record-breaking MLB career? For Atlanta Braves superstar Matt Olson, the answer isn’t found in batting cages or weight rooms—it’s etched in the quiet strength of family bonds. Behind every towering home run and Gold Glove win lies a tapestry of love, sacrifice, and unwavering support woven by parents who coached him, a wife who anchors him, and a brother who challenged him. This is the untold story of how family transformed a Georgia kid into a baseball titan.
The Foundation: Scott and Lee Olson’s Lasting Influence
Every great story has roots, and Matt Olson’s begins in Lilburn, Georgia, with parents Scott and Lee Olson. Scott wasn’t just a dad; he was Matt’s first coach, mentoring him and older brother Zack in youth baseball until high school. Those backyard sessions were more than skill-building—they were masterclasses in resilience. Scott’s philosophy was simple: “Go the extra mile.” He’d drive hours for tournaments, analyze swings, and instill a work ethic that still pulses through Matt’s game today . Lee, meanwhile, shaped Matt’s emotional compass. Her emphasis on humility and kindness ensured fame never eroded his character. When Parkview High retired Matt’s #21 jersey in 2019, it wasn’t just for his .431 career average or 45 home runs—it was for the legacy of a family that built a champion .
College Sweethearts: How Nicole Kidder Became Nicole Olson
Amid frat parties and finals at the University of Georgia, a business major named Nicole Kidder crossed paths with a lanky baseball prospect. Nicole, sharp and driven, pursued her Bachelor of Business Administration while Matt juggled classes and diamond dreams. Their seven-year courtship defied odds: minor-league bus rides, cross-country moves, and the dizzying ascent of Matt’s career. While he debuted with the Oakland Athletics in 2016, Nicole carved her own path in corporate strategy. Social media glimpses—Christmas gatherings, beach vacations, and a black Lab named Cooper—hinted at a partnership built on mutual ambition, not sacrifice . In December 2020, Matt dropped to one knee at Lucille’s Mountain Top Inn, sealing a promise that began in college hallways. Nicole’s Instagram caption? “Future wife and dog mom of mine”—a nod to their low-key, authentic love .
A Braves Fairy Tale: Wedding Bells and Home Runs
On November 20, 2021, Atlanta’s Four Seasons Hotel shimmered with Georgia’s biggest baseball stars. Matt, radiating hometown pride, stood waiting as Nicole glided toward him in an elegant gown, her hair and makeup echoing the understated grace she’s known for. Teammates toasted, families embraced, and Matt’s Instagram captured the moment: “A day I’ll never forget… So happy to call you my wife” . For Nicole, the wedding was more than a ceremony—it was a homecoming. As a Johns Creek native, she understood the weight of Matt’s Braves trade just months earlier. When he inked that $168 million extension, she wasn’t just his wife; she was his compass, grounding him in the city where their story began .
Beyond the Spotlight: Nicole’s Quiet Power
While Matt’s 54-homer 2023 season broke records, Nicole Olson redefined what it means to be an MLB wife. Forget sideline selfies or influencer fame—Nicole thrives in authenticity. Her Instagram (@nicolenolson) stays fiercely private, with just over 1,700 followers. Why? Because her identity isn’t tethered to Matt’s fame. As a retail tenant advisor at Jones Lang LaSalle, she negotiates commercial real estate deals, balancing client calls with MLB’s grueling travel . During Matt’s 2023 MVP-caliber run, she was his steadying force—packing hospital bags between road trips, prepping the nursery, and shielding their joy from public glare. When fans speculated about their baby’s due date, Nicole’s silence spoke volumes: This family protects its own .
The Newest Olson: Welcoming Baby Brother
Father’s Day 2024 delivered a curveball sweeter than any walk-off homer. Matt posted ultrasound photos with Cooper, their Labrador, joking: “Cooper is getting a baby brother this December 🥹🩵” . True to form, Nicole shared no bump updates or gender reveals. But in December 2024, their son arrived—a secret joy wrapped in swaddle blankets. During a Braves broadcast, Matt grinned: “A little less sleep… Something that is really cool and special. It’s been fun…” . Parenthood, for the Olsons, isn’t a publicity play. It’s midnight feedings, stolen kisses at Truist Park, and a legacy reshaped by tiny fingers. Their son’s name? Still under wraps—a testament to their belief that some treasures belong in the shadows .
Brotherhood and Beyond: Zack Olson and the Ties That Bind
Before Nicole, there was Zack—Matt’s Harvard-pitcher older brother. Their bond was forged in sibling rivalry: Zack firing fastballs; Matt smashing them. Though Zack stepped back from pro ball, he remains Matt’s confidant. When Matt won his first Gold Glove in 2018, Zack texted: “Dad would’ve cried.” That’s the Olson way: achievement shared, grief softened together. When Scott passed away in 2021, the brothers carried his lessons into every pitch and swing. Family, for them, is a dugout where no one fights alone .
More Than an Athlete: The Olsons’ Heart for Service
Want to see the Olson family’s values in action? Look beyond the diamond. Matt’s nomination for the 2023 Roberto Clemente Award wasn’t just about his bat—it honored his work with ReClif, a fitness center for individuals with autism. His friendship with Reece Blankenship, a non-speaking autistic man, reveals the family’s core. Nicole co-hosts fundraisers like Diamond Casino Night, while Matt funded “The Matt Pack”—sensory-friendly seats at Truist Park. Reece once typed: “Matt and I connected on a different plane… His wife Nicole is of the same ilk” . For Scott and Lee’s sons, greatness was never just about stats—it was about lifting others up.
The Bottom Line
The Matt Olson family isn’t a sidebar to a baseball career—it’s the very foundation that makes greatness possible. From Scott’s coaching to Nicole’s steadfast love, from Zack’s brotherly pushes to a newborn’s gummy smile, this clan embodies a truth we all crave: Success means nothing without someone to share it with. As you watch Matt launch another moonshot this season, remember the invisible hands that shaped him—the wife who guards his peace, the parents who whispered “You can,” and the son who’ll inherit their name. Their story whispers to us all: Build your team. Cherish your roots. And swing for the fences, knowing home isn’t a place—it’s the people waiting in the lights.
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