'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Matt Olson has cemented himself as one of the elite power hitters in the game, recording his 50th home run of the season on Monday. The hard-hitting first baseman has not only created an impression on the field but off the field as well, particularly when it comes to his longtime friendship with Reece Blankenship.
Trending
"@Braves slugger @MattOlson21 and his longtime friend, Reece Blankenship, are making a big impact as advocates for those in the autism community." - @MLB
Blankenship, who Matt Olson has been friends with since high school, suffers from non-verbal autism. It was during Olson's time in high school that the pair met, with the first baseman helping with Blakenship's behavioral analysis.
The story of Olson and Blankenship began at a young age. The Atlanta Braves star was in the same grade as Blankenship's sister. When he would visit her house, Olson and Blankenship began to develop a friendship.
After Olson was drafted, during the months when he was able, he would continue to visit and work with Blankenship. What went from helping Blankenship out became two friends spending time with each other and hanging out. While the two were unable to communicate verbally, it did not prevent them from developing a close bond.
However, after a breakthrough with a letter board, both Blankenship's family and Olson were able to see the intelligence that was hiding within. Blankenship was able to communicate through the board and eventually started the ReClif Center in Peachtree Corners, Georgia. ReClif is a fitness-based therapy center designed to empower individuals with autism.
"I was at his casino night where he raised a ton of money for Reclif, Matt has a heart of gold. I'm an autistic dad and my son's autistic as well. Reese is a wonderful guy who is doing real good in this world. This is why you usually see me in a blue Olson jersey for braves" - @esaburruss
Matt Olson continues his support of the autistic community with the Atlanta Braves
The first baseman with a heart of gold has continued to support the autistic community. Following the deal that sent him from the Oakland Athletics to the Atlanta Braves, Olson used a portion of his salary to buy a section in the crowd at Truist Park, dubbed the "Matt Pack." In this section, families impacted by autism are given free tickets to the Atlanta Braves in a sensory-friendly location.
The story of Reece Blankenship and Matt Olson has been well documented in a new MLB Network feature titled “Unspoken Bond," which highlights the lives touched as a direct result of the two longtime friends.
