At the end of last season, when the Orioles had locked up a place in the postseason, the standard days off for regulars brought about a unique lineup construction. For one of those final games, Jackson Holliday batted leadoff. He recorded three hits — but what’s more is he felt pride in manning that place in the order.
Holliday is batting at the top of the lineup more and more this season. Although interim manager Tony Mansolino said he didn’t know if that would be a permanent position, he noted that Holliday “may grab this thing and run and never leave.”
That’s what it’s looking like, at least so far.
In a lineup full of underperformers, Holliday has made notable strides from his rookie season. He entered Wednesday’s matinee against the Milwaukee Brewers having hit leadoff in eight of the team’s last nine games, and his numbers are among the best in Baltimore.
Holliday, it seems, has taken hold of that leadoff spot.
“It’s an honor to be able to lead off for a big league team. You get the most at-bats as possible, and I trained for, it feels like, a year and a half to hit leadoff for the Orioles,” Holliday said. “There’s a sense of pride in being the leadoff guy, for sure.”
