MLB’s “Jackson Three” have a lot more in common than just their first name.
Already linked by their shared moniker and their status as top prospects turned rookie stars, Jackson Holliday, Jackson Merrill and Jackson Chourio did something else Friday night that might not surprise those who have been following along.
All three players recorded a triple in their respective games -- including two within instants of each other. Holliday was the first to achieve the feat, ripping an RBI three-bagger in the third inning for the Orioles as part of a four-hit night.
The 20-year-old Holliday became the second-youngest Oriole with a four-hit game, behind only Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson in 1957. Coincidentally, Robinson also had three singles and a triple, exactly like Holliday.
“That’s quite something,” Holliday said. “Obviously, very special to be able to share that with him. Hopefully, many more in the future.”
Moments after Holliday's triple, Chourio cracked a first-inning triple down the left-field line for the Brewers. It was the first career triple for either of the two.
Later in the evening, Merrill brought things full circle for the Padres at Coors Field, smacking a one-out triple off the right-field wall in the sixth inning.
Merrill's sixth three-bagger of the season made it triples for all three Jacksons on the same night -- and yes, that’s a record of sorts.
Can any more Jacksons join the party? Not right now -- the only two other players with the first name Jackson to have reached the Majors this year (the Braves’ Jackson Stephens and the Nationals’ Jackson Rutledge) are both currently in the Minor Leagues, and both are pitchers.
But triples on the same night for THREE star rookies with the same first name? That’s still pretty special.