"Jackson was here messing around & now he's playing a real game" - Matt Holliday nostalgically reflects on Orioles No. 1 draft pick's MLB stardom
Jackson Holliday and his father, Matt, sat down to talk about their baseball journey on Sunday. Despite struggling initially, even being sent back down to AAA after going 2-for-34, the Baltimore Orioles rookie has looked like a changed player since being recalled by the O's on July 31.
On the other hand, Matt Holliday enjoyed 15 seasons in his big league career, playing for the Colorado Rockies, Oakland Athletics, St. Louis Cardinals and the New York Yankees in the big leagues. Matt was with the Rockies around the time Jackson was born.
In Sunday's episode of "O's Xtra," Matt talked about how far Jackson has come.
"It's really cool, it's surreal," Matt said. "I think part of it is like, it's really happening and you're reflecting on it at the same time. I think this is really cool, that he's playing on this field, [where] I started my career. He was a little kid, he was here, messing around on the field, and now he's playing a real game out on this field is pretty neat." (2:14).
Jackson also talked about the feeling of playing at Coors Field and sharing special moments with his dad and his brother, Ethan.
"This was always my plan, so I think it's obviously awesome to be able to actually play a game on this field and share that with him [Matt] and hopefully Ethan pretty soon," Jackson Holliday said (2:35).
Ethan Holliday is Jackson's younger brother, who has been dubbed the "most talented member of the family," according to Jackson himself. The 17-year-old is projected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 MLB Draft.
Matt Holliday throws ceremonial first pitch to son Jackson on Saturday
Matt Holliday threw the ceremonial first pitch to son Jackson before the O's loss against the Rockies at Coors Field on Saturday.
In a thrilling game, the Rockies went up three in the second before the Orioles came back into it to tie the game 5-5. Eventually, the hosts prevailed 7-5 with two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning.
After Saturday's loss, the Orioles went on to win the series on Sunday, with a dominant display to register a 6-1 victory in the final game of the series in Denver.
The Orioles return home on Monday to face the Chicago White Sox in the first of a three-game series. With division rivals the New York Yankees struggling in their previous two games, the Orioles will aim to sweep the White Sox and regain the AL East lead.