"They're two very different kids" -Matt Holliday has an entirely different coaching and parenting approach for 'rational' Jack and 'emotional' Ethan
Former St. Louis Cardinals slugger Matt Holliday knows a thing or two about launching baseballs. He enjoyed a 15-year career in the big leagues, retiring as a seven-time All-Star and a four-time Silver Silver Slugger Award winner.
The apple does not fall far from the tree as his two boys, Jackson and Ethan, have become sluggers themselves. Jackson has been crushing the ball since being recalled to Baltimore, and Ethan recently committed to play at Oklahoma State University.
While both are sluggers, they like to be coached differently and fathered differently than each other. Holliday joined the crew on MLB Tonight to talk about the two approaches.
"Jackson has always been, 'Hey, if you see anything, I want you to tell me and tell me right away.' He's very level-headed, and reasonable, and rational," said Holliday.
Working with Jackson, Holliday has noticed that he has been somebody who has wanted feedback right away, good or bad. That is a far different approach than the one he has with Ethan.
"Ethan's a little more emotional. We would get into it, you know, he'll fire his bat, fire his batting gloves. He's more, I have to let him come to me and he decides when he's ready for me to help coach him," said Holliday.
Holliday understands how to walk the tightrope when Ethan is emotional. It seems like the two brothers are completely polar opposites in how they want feedback.
"That's kind of the strategy I use with them and how I try and help coach them and help them with what they're doing. But, two very different kids that like to be coached in different ways," said Holliday.
Matt Holliday's coaching is coming along just fine
Not many fathers can say their son has made the Major Leagues, let alone a top prospect, like Matt Holliday can. While it was a shaky start for Jackson Holliday, he has looked great during his second call-up with the Orioles. He has done nothing but smash baseball left and right, making up for lost time.
However, Ethan is no slouch either. He has made a name for himself out of high school and is projected to be a top pick in the upcoming draft. If he were chosen as the top pick, it would be the first time a pair of brothers were drafted No. 1 overall.