Watch: Jackson Holliday's WS champ dad Matt Holliday cheers from the stands as Orioles rookie delivers RBI triple at Coors Field
Jackson Holliday's father Matt Holiday, a former World Series champion, was in attendance at Coors Field to watch his son and the Baltimore Orioles take on the Colorado Rockies on Friday. The Orioles' top prospect had an impressive at-bat in the clutch, contributing to the team's win.
In the ninth inning, with the Orioles up by 3-2, Holliday came to the plate with one out and a runner in second to face Angel Chivilli. On a 2-1 pitch dropping pitch, Holliday crushed it to right field, allowing Ryan O'Hearn to score from second. Good base running ensured Holliday ended up counting the hit as a triple.
Matt Holliday, who was in the stands, was spotted clapping after Holliday added the insurance runs in the ninth.
A grounder from Cedric Mullins followed soon after, and a throwing error by the pitcher ensured Holliday reached home plate safely, taking the Orioles up by 5-2.
Baltimore then had their closer, Seranthony Dominguez, close out the game. While he did give up a home run to Brendan Rodgers, he escaped the jam, with the Orioles winning the game 5-3.
Matt Holliday recalls memories at Coors Field with Jackson Holliday
While Matt Holliday is perhaps more known for his role with the St. Louis Cardinals, especially in their 2011 World Series run, he started and ended his career with the Colorado Rockies. Before the game, Matt recalled when Jackson and him were in the same dugout in 2018 (via DenverSports.com):
“Doesn’t seem like that long ago that Jackson was running around here playing wiffle ball,” Matt said in the Rockies dugout Friday.
Jackson Holliday doesn't remember much from his time at Coors Field, but talked about a video that circulated on the internet where Jackson can be seen practicing with his dad at the stadium:
“I think the video that kind of circulated whenever I made my debut of him throwing me and running around and taking ground balls with him. I think that’s kind of special to me,” Holliday said. “And obviously, the picture of us and the playoffs is another good one. Yeah. There’s a bunch of really cool pictures and the memories that I have.
“I took BP here his last year in 2018. So, excited to take it as a pro and definitely playing the games," he added.
Matt Holliday made his debut with the Rockies in April 2004 and stayed with the club till 2008. He returned for a second stint in 2018 before calling time on his career, which included seven All-Star selections (2006–2008, 2010–2012, 2015), an NLCS MVP (2007) and four Silver Slugger Awards (2006–2008, 2010).
Jackson Holliday and Co. will look to take the three-game series when both clubs meet again on Saturday.