After all the attention during that 10-game span earlier this season, the swing from Jackson Holliday on Wednesday — and the stare and the bat flip — seemed to wash away all the frustration.
In that first stint as a major leaguer, Holliday went 2-for-34. There was constant fanfare and focus on the 20-year-old, a spotlight that magnified his every move, and he was soon returned to the minor leagues for more seasoning.
But, after the trade deadline reshuffled the Orioles’ roster, Holliday returned for the series finale against the Blue Jays. And, when Toronto right-hander Yerry Rodríguez grooved a slider on an 0-2 count that didn’t sweep out of the strike zone, Holliday demolished it for a grand slam.
Holliday sent it 439 feet at 109.2 mph, and the ball landed in a throng of fans on Eutaw Street — making him the first Oriole whose first homer landed on the avenue well beyond the right-field wall, per MLB.com.
The grand slam announced Holliday’s return in emphatic fashion, and it was a major part of Baltimore’s 10-4 victory against the Blue Jays.
So Holliday could stop and stare and appreciate it. He then flung his bat, end over end, toward the Orioles dugout. And as he began the first trot of his career, Baltimore’s dugout and the fans behind it erupted.
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But the postgame celebration for Holliday held a bittersweet note, manager Brandon Hyde said. Infielder Jordan Westburg suffered a fractured hand when he was hit by a pitch during the plate appearance directly ahead of Holliday’s homer.
“You never want to see that happen. You don’t want to see hit by pitches or anything like that, especially in the hand. Yeah, it’s tough,” right-hander Grayson Rodriguez said. “But, in terms of Jackson, that was really good to see. I’m really glad he got to have that moment here at home in Camden Yards. Pretty cool fan reaction. Obviously a great reaction in the dugout.”
For all the changes the Orioles’ roster underwent at the trade deadline — players will continue to report over the next few days — Holliday could be the largest addition. After second baseman Connor Norby was traded with outfielder Kyle Stowers to the Miami Marlins for left-hander Trevor Rogers, Holliday got the call.
He said before the game that having been through a debut and everything that comes with it already, this should be easier. He hoped to enjoy himself more because those 10 games earlier in the year felt like a blur.
Many players go through a learning curve as they transition to the majors. Grayson Rodriguez, who threw six innings with three earned runs against him, arrived with similar hype in 2023 before returning to the minors. When Rodriguez came back to the big leagues, he was better than ever and stuck for good.
Rookie outfielder Colton Cowser has struggled at times this year as major league pitchers have adjusted to what Cowser does well. But Cowser, who homered in the second inning, is in the midst of a 13-game hitting streak.
“It’s kind of one of those situations where you put your head down and go grinding,” Cowser said. “Jackson’s a very hardworking guy, and that [slump] was something that’s hopefully not going to last. He was playing really well in Triple-A, and I’m excited to watch him.”
Holliday understands that. His father, Matt, was a seven-time All-Star. And Holliday spent time in the minors with Stowers, Terrin Vavra and Heston Kjerstad, all of whom experienced the majors but struggled before they were sent back down.
“Obviously, this is the best league in the world, and [I] definitely got shown that,” Holliday said before the game. “I feel like I’m definitely more prepared than I was last time.”
Holliday fell into a two-strike hole in the fifth inning, but he didn’t miss the hanging slider. Holliday’s blast brought the crowd to its feet, and even as James McCann’s at-bat commenced, the Orioles fans were waiting for Holliday.
Gunnar Henderson, a veteran by comparison at 23, waved his hand to Holliday to get him off the bench. Holliday hopped up and waved to the crowd, drawing another thunder of applause.
Holliday is back, and he’s planning to stay.
“It’s pretty surreal,” Holliday said. “Couldn’t have dreamt it up any better for a first home run. It’s just exciting to be able to help the team win, you know? When I was struggling, I felt like I couldn’t really do that. But to be able to come through in a big spot is more important to me than anything else.”
