In St. Louis, Matt Holliday watches Jackson play at the ballpark his son ‘grew up at’

ST. LOUIS — Over a decade ago, the roles would have been reversed. Little Jackson Holliday would’ve been running around the outfield while his father, Matt, hit during pregame batting practice at Busch Stadium.

On Tuesday, it was Matt Holliday’s turn to watch within the ballpark where his son roamed as a boy.

Matt Holliday and his family called St. Louis home for seven years. They were the most impactful years of Jackson Holliday’s young life. The eldest child, he was 5 when his dad was traded to the Cardinals; he was a teenager when his dad departed. And 10 years later — now a 22-year-old playing in his third season — Jackson stood in the box while Matt looked on from behind the cage.

“He spent more time on this field than any other place he’s been, as far as baseball goes,” said Matt Holliday on Tuesday afternoon.

This was Jackson Holliday’s summer home. In center field, Matt Holliday lightly pitched balls to Jackson and his brother, Ethan, and the boys clubbed them all over the outfield — and over the fence. Jackson Holliday chased after balls in the outfield during batting practice, and he sat in the family room during Game 6 of the 2011 World Series, “thinking we’re about to lose the World Series” — until, of course, David Freese cemented himself as a legend by forcing Game 7 with an 11th-inning walk-off homer.

There are many places that can be described as home for the Holliday family, be it Stillwater, Oklahoma, or Denver. Those cities are important parts of Jackson Holliday’s story.

But there’s no denying St. Louis’ influence.

“This is more, I’d say, where I grew up, and my childhood,” he said. “Most of my memories from my dad’s career are here. And to be able to go out there tonight will be really cool.”

What made it cooler, perhaps, is sharing it with his parents, grandparents and wife. Holliday and the Orioles arrived Sunday night, which allotted him an off day to take his wife, Chloe, around to some meaningful places. They drove to see the house where he grew up.

Two years ago, Holliday had a similar experience when he returned to play the Colorado Rockies. His dad began his career there, but Holliday was so young at the time he doesn’t remember much. He didn’t make the St. Louis trip in 2024; the Orioles optioned a struggling Holliday to the minors about a month prior.

He didn’t miss this one. And while Holliday’s career to this point has featured ups and downs, it’s worth remembering that he is only 22. His dad, a seven-time All-Star, debuted at 24.

“I’m super proud of him,” Matt Holliday said. “He’s a great kid, first and foremost. He’s such a joy to parent. I’m proud of him, and I’m happy he gets to do what he loves, and I love to watch him play and encourage him. It’s pretty cool he’s been able to make it to the major leagues, and now at 22, he’s played a couple years, I’m just trying to help him any way I can.”

Sometimes, that means ignoring baseball. Matt said he lets Jackson tell him when there’s something baseball-related he wants to discuss.

“I get it,” he said. “I definitely remember how hard it is, and emotional, and just the grind of the season. Sometimes you don’t want to talk about baseball. So, just trying to strike that balance of being a resource for him when he needs it with baseball, and also just caring about him as who he is as a person.”

With his family watching from the stands in a ballpark they all know well, Jackson Holliday had one of his best nights at the plate. He reached on an error, then drove three singles, including two in an eight-run fifth inning.

Manager Craig Albernaz used Holliday in the leadoff spot, as he has other times this year, and it worked well Tuesday because it ensured there was a runner on base ahead of Pete Alonso for much of the game.

Alonso said the top of the order is “a really good spot for” Holliday. And last year, interim manager Tony Mansolino said he thought Holliday could be Baltimore’s leadoff hitter “at least for the next five years.”

It can be surprising at times to remember how young Holliday is. It really struck home in the clubhouse before Tuesday’s series opener, when Holliday reminisced about being a kid growing up here. All of 10 years earlier.

That made this series one that Matt Holliday had “circled on my calendar.” He used to watch little Jackson running around on this field. On Tuesday, he watched an older Jackson — not by much — running around on this field as a major leaguer.

“To get a chance to watch him play in this park, it does go fast,” Matt Holliday said. “It does seem like yesterday that I got traded here and he was maybe 5 years old at the time, something like that. He kind of grew up at this park. And to get a chance to watch him play is great.”