BALTIMORE -- There’s an old country song titled “I’ve Been Everywhere” that was popularized by Johnny Cash, who released a rendition of it in 1996. The tune rattles off the names of 92 places in the United States, from Reno to Chicago to Fargo to many more.
If Jackson Holliday had a song, it could be called “I Know Everyone.” Because it feels like he does. It’s actually challenging to find a baseball player (at almost any level) that the 22-year-old Orioles infielder doesn’t know.
Here’s a random connection -- Christian Encarnacion-Strand. The 26-year-old infielder has only been in Baltimore’s organization since April 13 and didn’t get called up by the O’s until July 16. Holliday may not know him that well, right?
“I’ve actually known Christian for a while, he went to Oklahoma State,” Holliday said. “I always knew he was going to be a great player and a big leaguer, and it’s been a lot of fun to watch him do this thing.”
Holliday’s uncle, Josh, is the head coach at Oklahoma State. Because of that, he crossed paths with Encarnacion-Strand in 2021, and the two even went bass fishing together in Stillwater, Okla.
With Players' Weekend taking place across MLB this weekend, there may be no player who has a greater appreciation for the friendships and relationships that can be developed within the sport than Holliday. That’s clear from the sheer number of connections he’s made over time.
It’s been easier for Holliday to do so than some, of course. His dad, Matt, played 15 big league seasons from 2004-18, appearing in games for four MLB teams. So Holliday grew up with access to older baseball players, then began meeting those around his age as he played across the country growing up.
But Holliday has some younger ages covered, too, because his 19-year-old brother, Ethan, is an infield prospect in the Rockies’ system.
“It’s fun to be in baseball, to know people in baseball,” Holliday said. “Probably growing up in a college town also helps. I don’t know a number or even have a clue. It’s fun to get to know guys you play against, too. It’s kind of just a community.”
Holliday may not have an idea for his number of baseball-playing friends, but the contact list in his phone has to be filled with tons, surely?
“A lot of baseball guys. I’m probably the worst person ever at texting,” Holliday said with a smile. “I’m in a group chat with that [Club] Nemesis group, which is kind of cool. Went and worked out with [Cubs third baseman Alex] Bregman, so you have some of those guys. I know [Tigers first baseman Spencer] Torkelson from that this offseason.”
Club Nemesis is a state-of-the-art baseball performance center for professional players launched by Bregman in Scottsdale, Ariz., this past offseason. Holliday’s parents were looking for a house there, so he and his brother spent a week working out with Bregman and others.
Who else?
“[Red Sox outfielder] Roman [Anthony] is one that I grew up playing with. [Mariners second baseman] Cole Young, a ton of guys in my [2022] Draft class that I try and keep in touch with a little bit. [Reds infielder] Sal Stewart, it was good to see him. We were locker buddies at some events,” Holliday said. “There are some guys who are really, really cool and easy to talk to whenever you’re out there playing. I’ve kept in contact with [Royals shortstop] Bobby Witt [Jr.] a little bit. I got to go watch him play whenever I was in high school and it was his senior year.”
The Holliday baseball compound in Stillwater also welcomed frequent guests in recent years.
“[Nationals outfielder] Dylan Crews came out this offseason, I hit with him. And some younger guys. It’s always fun when guys roll through,” Holliday said. “[Pirates infielder] Nick Gonzales came with [Brewers infielder] Joey Ortiz and I got to know him quite a bit. He’s a great dude. So it’s always fun whenever you have friends of friends. You always have one thing in common, and that’s wanting to be a great baseball player. I think it kind of ignites and makes your friendship pretty fast.”
Even with all the connections that Holliday has, there have been a few star-studded interactions that have occurred since he arrived in the big leagues in April 2024 that made him stop and realize how cool it was to be talking to that player.
“[Rangers shortstop] Corey Seager is probably one,” Holliday said. “I remember he got to second base when we played him last year, I was like, ‘This is pretty sick.’ [The Dodgers’] Trea Turner is another one, infielders that I think are really cool and enjoy watching them. You get to play against [Yankees outfielder Aaron] Judge, who was a teammate with my dad. That was pretty sick as well.
“There’s always guys that you get to play against that seem to amaze you and their talent. So it’s always fun.”