Matt Olson certainly did his best. The Oakland A’s first baseman had been a part of the Home Run Derby, getting a chance to showcase his power in front of a national audience. He was set to face Trey Mancini in the first round, a Stage 3 cancer survivor who has been one of the great stories of the 2021 season thus far.
That story was able to continue beyond the first round. Olson was bounced in the first round despite putting up a respectable 23 homers, as Mancini edged him by one.
Just one more pitch for Matt Olson
One has to wonder what would have happened if Olson was able to get one more pitch. What if the ball was quickly fired before the clock ran out, giving him that final chance? Or what if he was allowed to get a pitch after the buzzer, hitting a home run as Mancini appeared to?
More from White Cleat Beat
- Zach Logue yet another disappointing Oakland A’s trade return
- Luis Barrera heading to familiar foe in Los Angeles Angels
- Looking back at Ruben Sierra with the Oakland A’s
- San Francisco Giants showing Oakland A’s offseason could be worse
- Lucas Luetge what Oakland A’s need in bullpen
Nonetheless, Olson’s solid showing should get him more recognition. He has already put together a respectable resume in relative anonymity outside of the Bay Area, winning two Gold Glove awards while establishing himself as one of the better power hitting first basemen in the majors. However, this is his first All Star Game, a relative surprise given his performance over the years.
It was difficult to keep Olson from the game, or the Home Run Derby, this season. He ended the first half with a strong .282/.371/.567 batting line in his 364 plate appearances, hitting 23 homers and 20 doubles. The A’s will certainly need that production during the dog days of summer.
That strong showing continued in the Home Run Derby. Olson gave it everything he had, but may have needed just one more pitch. What if he got that offering, or if the pitcher was just a bit quicker each time? It may have made a difference.
Matt Olson had a respectable showing in the Home Run Derby with 23 homers in the first round. All he needed was one more pitch.