5-year-old fan with big dreams returns Holliday’s first HR ball
After 20-year-old Jackson Holliday became the youngest player in Orioles/Browns franchise history to hit a grand slam — while doing it in his first MLB game since April 23, to boot — his day wasn’t done quite yet.
The next mission? Go track down that ball.
“I believe that some kid got it,” Holliday said after the game, in reference to his first career home run ball. “So hopefully, I’ll be able to get that back from him and maybe give him something in return.”
Fortunately, that part wasn’t so difficult.
After the game, Holliday was able to track down the ball’s recipient, a 5-year-old Maryland native named Wyatt Sartwell, and his father, Tim. Wyatt gladly gave Holliday his home run ball, and in return, Holliday provided the youngster with a bat.
“I appreciate you guys being easy about it,” Holliday told the father-son duo.
“If he ever gets that opportunity, I’d hope he gets his ball back, just as a dad,” Tim said, before turning to Wyatt. “One day, if you get that chance, that’d be cool.”
Wyatt had only one question of his own for Holliday after thanking the rookie for meeting him: “How’d the Gatorade feel?”
“Cold,” Holliday said without skipping a beat. “Really cold.”