Matt Holliday: Difference between revisions
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* 7× [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] ([[2006 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2006]]–[[2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2008]], [[2010 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2010]]–[[2012 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2012]], [[2015 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2015]]) |
* 7× [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] ([[2006 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2006]]–[[2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2008]], [[2010 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2010]]–[[2012 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2012]], [[2015 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2015]]) |
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* [[World Series]] champion ({{wsy|2011}}) |
* [[World Series]] champion ({{wsy|2011}}) |
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* [[League Championship Series Most Valuable Player Award|NLCS MVP]] ( |
* [[League Championship Series Most Valuable Player Award|NLCS MVP]] ({{nlcsy|2007}}) |
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* 4× [[Silver Slugger Award]] (2006–2008, 2010) |
* 4× [[Silver Slugger Award]] (2006–2008, 2010) |
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* [[List of Major League Baseball batting champions|NL batting champion]] (2007) |
* [[List of Major League Baseball batting champions|NL batting champion]] (2007) |
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'''Matthew Thomas Holliday''' (born January 15, 1980) is an American former [[professional baseball]] [[left fielder]]. He played in [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) from 2004 to 2018 for the [[Colorado Rockies]], [[Oakland Athletics]], [[St. Louis Cardinals]], and [[New York Yankees]]. A [[World Series]] champion in [[2011 World Series|2011]] with the Cardinals, Holliday played a key role in seven [[Major League Baseball postseason|postseasons]], including the Rockies' first-ever World Series appearance in 2007 and Cardinals' playoff success in the 2010s. His distinctions include a [[National League (baseball)|National League]] (NL) [[List of Major League Baseball batting champions|batting championship]], the [[2007 National League Championship Series|2007 NL Championship Series]] [[League Championship Series Most Valuable Player Award|Most Valuable Player Award]] (NLCS MVP), seven [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] selections, and four [[Silver Slugger Award]]s. Other career accomplishments include [[List of Major League Baseball career home run leaders|300]] [[home run]]s, more than 2,000 [[Hit (baseball)|hits]], and [[Batting average (baseball)|batting]] over .300 eight times. |
'''Matthew Thomas Holliday''' (born January 15, 1980) is an American former [[professional baseball]] [[left fielder]]. He played in [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) from 2004 to 2018 for the [[Colorado Rockies]], [[Oakland Athletics]], [[St. Louis Cardinals]], and [[New York Yankees]]. A [[World Series]] champion in [[2011 World Series|2011]] with the Cardinals, Holliday played a key role in seven [[Major League Baseball postseason|postseasons]], including the Rockies' first-ever World Series appearance in 2007 and Cardinals' playoff success in the 2010s. His distinctions include a [[National League (baseball)|National League]] (NL) [[List of Major League Baseball batting champions|batting championship]], the [[2007 National League Championship Series|2007 NL Championship Series]] [[League Championship Series Most Valuable Player Award|Most Valuable Player Award]] (NLCS MVP), seven [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] selections, and four [[Silver Slugger Award]]s. Other career accomplishments include [[List of Major League Baseball career home run leaders|300]] [[home run]]s, more than 2,000 [[Hit (baseball)|hits]], and [[Batting average (baseball)|batting]] over .300 eight times. |
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The Colorado Rockies selected Holliday in the seventh round of the [[1998 Major League Baseball draft|1998 MLB draft]] from high school in [[Oklahoma]], where he also starred as a highly touted [[quarterback]] prospect.<ref name=moss>{{cite web |last=Moss |first=Irv |url=http://www.denverpost.com/rockies/ci_8234971 |title=Rockies banked on steal of 1998 draft |work=[[The Denver Post]] |date=February 12, 2008 |access-date=December 10, 2012}}</ref> He debuted in MLB in 2004, becoming the Rockies' starting left fielder and a middle of the [[Batting order (baseball)|lineup]] presence. In 2006, he became the 19th player ever to reach 195 hits, 30 home runs, 45 [[Double (baseball)|doubles]], 115 [[Run (baseball)|runs]] and 110 [[runs batted in]] (RBI) in one season. The next season, he won the NL [[List of Major League Baseball batting champions|batting title]], September National League [[Major League Baseball Player of the Month Award|Player of the Month]] honors and NLCS MVP<ref name=2007NLMVPVoting>{{cite web|url=http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071120&content_id=2304708&vkey=news_col&fext=.jsp&c_id=col |title=The Official Site of The Colorado Rockies: News: Colorado Rockies News |publisher=MLB|website=Colorado Rockies |access-date=December 10, 2012}}</ref> as the Rockies won 21 of 22 games at the end of the regular season and in the [[Major League Baseball postseason|playoffs]] en route to their first [[2007 World Series|World Series]] appearance.<ref name=2007NLCSMVP>{{cite news |agency=[[Associated Press]] |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/playoffs2007/news/story?id=3065615 |title=Rockies receive many contributions, but Holliday tops |publisher=ESPN |date=October 16, 2007 |access-date=December 10, 2012}}</ref> In the first of four consecutive [[National League Championship Series|NLCS]] appearances starting in 2011, he batted .435 with a .652 slugging percentage in the [[2011 National League Championship Series|2011 NLCS]] on his way to winning his first [[World Series ring]] with the Cardinals. In 2014, he became just the fifth player in MLB history to amass nine consecutive seasons of at least 20 home runs, 30 doubles, 75 RBI and 80 runs scored each season. |
The Colorado Rockies selected Holliday in the seventh round of the [[1998 Major League Baseball draft|1998 MLB draft]] from high school in [[Oklahoma]], where he also starred as a highly touted [[quarterback]] prospect.<ref name=moss>{{cite web |last=Moss |first=Irv |url=http://www.denverpost.com/rockies/ci_8234971 |title=Rockies banked on steal of 1998 draft |work=[[The Denver Post]] |date=February 12, 2008 |access-date=December 10, 2012}}</ref> He debuted in MLB in 2004, becoming the Rockies' starting left fielder and a middle of the [[Batting order (baseball)|lineup]] presence. In 2006, he became the 19th player ever to reach 195 hits, 30 home runs, 45 [[Double (baseball)|doubles]], 115 [[Run (baseball)|runs]] and 110 [[runs batted in]] (RBI) in one season. The next season, he won the NL [[List of Major League Baseball batting champions|batting title]], September National League [[Major League Baseball Player of the Month Award|Player of the Month]] honors and NLCS MVP<ref name=2007NLMVPVoting>{{cite web|url=http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071120&content_id=2304708&vkey=news_col&fext=.jsp&c_id=col |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071123032512/http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071120&content_id=2304708&vkey=news_col&fext=.jsp&c_id=col |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 23, 2007 |title=The Official Site of The Colorado Rockies: News: Colorado Rockies News |publisher=MLB|website=Colorado Rockies |access-date=December 10, 2012}}</ref> as the Rockies won 21 of 22 games at the end of the regular season and in the [[Major League Baseball postseason|playoffs]] en route to their first [[2007 World Series|World Series]] appearance.<ref name=2007NLCSMVP>{{cite news |agency=[[Associated Press]] |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/playoffs2007/news/story?id=3065615 |title=Rockies receive many contributions, but Holliday tops |publisher=ESPN |date=October 16, 2007 |access-date=December 10, 2012}}</ref> In the first of four consecutive [[National League Championship Series|NLCS]] appearances starting in 2011, he batted .435 with a .652 slugging percentage in the [[2011 National League Championship Series|2011 NLCS]] on his way to winning his first [[World Series ring]] with the Cardinals. In 2014, he became just the fifth player in MLB history to amass nine consecutive seasons of at least 20 home runs, 30 doubles, 75 RBI and 80 runs scored each season. |
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In addition to his presence as a leader on the field, Holliday is active in charity work and assisting his teammates off the field. Thus, the [[St. Louis]] chapter of the [[Baseball Writers' Association of America]] has awarded him the [[Darryl Kile]] Good Guy Award. He is a frequent visitor to children's hospitals. From 2012 to 2016, Holliday co-sponsored a pledge drive for [[Greater St. Louis]] hospitals called "Homers for Health", which raised more than $3.7 million. Since retirement, he remains active with Homers for Health as chairman. |
In addition to his presence as a leader on the field, Holliday is active in charity work and assisting his teammates off the field. Thus, the [[St. Louis]] chapter of the [[Baseball Writers' Association of America]] has awarded him the [[Darryl Kile]] Good Guy Award. He is a frequent visitor to children's hospitals. From 2012 to 2016, Holliday co-sponsored a pledge drive for [[Greater St. Louis]] hospitals called "Homers for Health", which raised more than $3.7 million. Since retirement, he remains active with Homers for Health as chairman. |
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At [[Stillwater High School (Oklahoma)|Stillwater High School]], Holliday played both baseball and football. He was a quarterback while playing football. As a senior, he earned All-American honors in football and baseball and also earned his region's [[Gatorade Player of the Year award]] in both sports. He also competed for the 1997 USA Junior National Team. In his next-to-last football game for Stillwater, he helped bring the Pioneers back from a 42–21 deficit against [[Tulsa, Oklahoma|Tulsa]] [[Union High School (Tulsa, Oklahoma)|Union]] by throwing three [[touchdown]]s (TD) in the final six minutes of the game for a 43–42 score.<ref name=comeback>{{cite web |last=Wright |first=Scott |url=http://newsok.com/st.-louis-cardinals-matt-holliday-once-quarterbacked-big-time-comeback-against-tulsa-union/article/3733932 |title=St. Louis Cardinals' Matt Holliday once quarterbacked big-time comeback against Tulsa Union |work=[[The Oklahoman]] |date=December 1, 2012 |access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref> |
At [[Stillwater High School (Oklahoma)|Stillwater High School]], Holliday played both baseball and football. He was a quarterback while playing football. As a senior, he earned All-American honors in football and baseball and also earned his region's [[Gatorade Player of the Year award]] in both sports. He also competed for the 1997 USA Junior National Team. In his next-to-last football game for Stillwater, he helped bring the Pioneers back from a 42–21 deficit against [[Tulsa, Oklahoma|Tulsa]] [[Union High School (Tulsa, Oklahoma)|Union]] by throwing three [[touchdown]]s (TD) in the final six minutes of the game for a 43–42 score.<ref name=comeback>{{cite web |last=Wright |first=Scott |url=http://newsok.com/st.-louis-cardinals-matt-holliday-once-quarterbacked-big-time-comeback-against-tulsa-union/article/3733932 |title=St. Louis Cardinals' Matt Holliday once quarterbacked big-time comeback against Tulsa Union |work=[[The Oklahoman]] |date=December 1, 2012 |access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref> |
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However, his high school football career ended with a 63–0 loss to [[Jenks High School|Jenks]] in the state semifinal contest. His career passing totals included 6,211 yards and 68 TD. His 35 TD passes as a junior set a then-11 man state record.<ref name=comeback/> Former [[Dallas Cowboys]] [[head coach]] [[Jimmy Johnson (American football coach)|Jimmy Johnson]] reportedly once forecasted to Tom Holliday that his son "couldn't miss" as an NFL prospect.<ref name=bigbat/> He was also rated the third-best quarterback prospect in the nation after graduating from Stillwater in 1998.<ref name=rewards>{{cite web |last=Ringolsby |first=Tracy |url=http://m.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/97371154/tracy-ringolsby-cardinals-matt-holliday-rewarded-for-long-term-deal |title=Cardinals, Holliday rewarded for long-term deal: St. Louis has made the postseason five of the six years outfielder has been on the team |publisher=MLB|date=October 2, 2014 |access-date=October 6, 2014}}</ref> |
However, his high school football career ended with a 63–0 loss to [[Jenks High School|Jenks]] in the state semifinal contest. His career passing totals included 6,211 yards and 68 TD. His 35 TD passes as a junior set a then-11 man state record.<ref name=comeback/> Former [[Dallas Cowboys]] [[head coach]] [[Jimmy Johnson (American football coach)|Jimmy Johnson]] reportedly once forecasted to Tom Holliday that his son "couldn't miss" as an NFL prospect.<ref name=bigbat/> He was also rated the third-best quarterback prospect in the nation after graduating from Stillwater in 1998.<ref name=rewards>{{cite web |last=Ringolsby |first=Tracy |url=http://m.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/97371154/tracy-ringolsby-cardinals-matt-holliday-rewarded-for-long-term-deal |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141005021008/http://m.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/97371154/tracy-ringolsby-cardinals-matt-holliday-rewarded-for-long-term-deal |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 5, 2014 |title=Cardinals, Holliday rewarded for long-term deal: St. Louis has made the postseason five of the six years outfielder has been on the team |publisher=MLB|date=October 2, 2014 |access-date=October 6, 2014}}</ref> |
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Numerous connections throughout [[College baseball|college]] and [[professional baseball]] span Holliday's family ties. His father, Tom Holliday, has been the pitching coach for the [[Auburn Tigers baseball|Tigers]] of [[Auburn University]], and former baseball head coach of OSU.<ref>{{cite web |last=Erickson |first=Joel |url=http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2014/06/auburn_baseball_hires_north_ca.html |title=Auburn baseball hires North Carolina State's Tom Holliday as pitching coach |work=[[The Birmingham News]] |date=June 19, 2014 |access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref> Current [[Atlanta Braves]] [[Scout (sports)|MLB scout]], Dave Holliday, is an uncle.<ref>{{cite web |last=Meyer |first=Paul |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/2007/10/18/Remaking-Of-A-Team-Red-Sox-s-Farrell-strong-candidate-for-manager-s-job/stories/200710180309 |title=Remaking of a team – Red Sox's Farrell strong candidate for manager's job |work=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]] |date=October 18, 2007 |access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref> His older brother, Josh, is currently the head baseball coach at OSU, and a former minor league player in the [[Toronto Blue Jays]] organization.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.okstate.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/060812aac.html |title=Josh Holliday named baseball head coach |publisher=Oklahoma State |date=June 8, 2012 |access-date=August 9, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121119070855/http://www.okstate.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/060812aac.html |archive-date=November 19, 2012 }}</ref> A cousin, Heath Holliday, has also played baseball as a [[catcher]] for OSU.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.okstate.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/heath_holliday_820712.html |title=Heath Holliday bio |work=OSU Athletics |access-date=August 9, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810022728/http://www.okstate.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/heath_holliday_820712.html |archive-date=August 10, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |
Numerous connections throughout [[College baseball|college]] and [[professional baseball]] span Holliday's family ties. His father, Tom Holliday, has been the pitching coach for the [[Auburn Tigers baseball|Tigers]] of [[Auburn University]], and former baseball head coach of OSU.<ref>{{cite web |last=Erickson |first=Joel |url=http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2014/06/auburn_baseball_hires_north_ca.html |title=Auburn baseball hires North Carolina State's Tom Holliday as pitching coach |work=[[The Birmingham News]] |date=June 19, 2014 |access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref> Current [[Atlanta Braves]] [[Scout (sports)|MLB scout]], Dave Holliday, is an uncle.<ref>{{cite web |last=Meyer |first=Paul |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/2007/10/18/Remaking-Of-A-Team-Red-Sox-s-Farrell-strong-candidate-for-manager-s-job/stories/200710180309 |title=Remaking of a team – Red Sox's Farrell strong candidate for manager's job |work=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]] |date=October 18, 2007 |access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref> His older brother, Josh, is currently the head baseball coach at OSU, and a former minor league player in the [[Toronto Blue Jays]] organization.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.okstate.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/060812aac.html |title=Josh Holliday named baseball head coach |publisher=Oklahoma State |date=June 8, 2012 |access-date=August 9, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121119070855/http://www.okstate.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/060812aac.html |archive-date=November 19, 2012 }}</ref> A cousin, Heath Holliday, has also played baseball as a [[catcher]] for OSU.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.okstate.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/heath_holliday_820712.html |title=Heath Holliday bio |work=OSU Athletics |access-date=August 9, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810022728/http://www.okstate.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/heath_holliday_820712.html |archive-date=August 10, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |
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Holliday's first career multi-home run game came against the [[2004 Cincinnati Reds season|Cincinnati Reds]] on May 18. Both home runs came as part of back-to-back home runs events with Burnitz, making them the first teammates in franchise history to hit back-to-back home runs twice in the same game, and the first teammate duo to do so since [[Mike Cameron]] and [[Bret Boone]] of the [[2002 Seattle Mariners season|Seattle Mariners]] in 2002. His first MLB grand slam came against the [[2004 Tampa Bay Devil Rays season|Tampa Bay Devil Rays]] on June 12, immediately tying a game in which the Rockies had faced a 5–1 deficit. For the month of June, he hit .357.<ref name=2004bio/> The Rockies traded Walker to the Cardinals in August, clearing more outfield playing opportunities for Holliday.<ref>{{cite web |last=Anderson |first=Dave |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9405E4DE163BF935A35753C1A9629C8B63 |title=Walker puts on show for Show-Me Missourians |work=The New York Times |date=October 6, 2004 |access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref> A sprained elbow while diving for a ball against the [[2004 San Diego Padres season|San Diego Padres]] on September 12 ended his season. His final batting line included a .290 batting average in 121 games, with 31 doubles, 14 home runs, 57 RBI, 65 runs scored, 48 extra-base hits, .349 on-base percentage, .488 slugging percentage, and 195 total bases. He finished in the top five among NL rookies in each of those categories. After the season, Holliday was named to both ''[[Baseball America]]'''s All-Rookie Team and [[Topps]]' Major League Rookie All-Star Team, and finished fifth in the [[Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award|Rookie of the Year]] balloting.<ref name=2004bio/> |
Holliday's first career multi-home run game came against the [[2004 Cincinnati Reds season|Cincinnati Reds]] on May 18. Both home runs came as part of back-to-back home runs events with Burnitz, making them the first teammates in franchise history to hit back-to-back home runs twice in the same game, and the first teammate duo to do so since [[Mike Cameron]] and [[Bret Boone]] of the [[2002 Seattle Mariners season|Seattle Mariners]] in 2002. His first MLB grand slam came against the [[2004 Tampa Bay Devil Rays season|Tampa Bay Devil Rays]] on June 12, immediately tying a game in which the Rockies had faced a 5–1 deficit. For the month of June, he hit .357.<ref name=2004bio/> The Rockies traded Walker to the Cardinals in August, clearing more outfield playing opportunities for Holliday.<ref>{{cite web |last=Anderson |first=Dave |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9405E4DE163BF935A35753C1A9629C8B63 |title=Walker puts on show for Show-Me Missourians |work=The New York Times |date=October 6, 2004 |access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref> A sprained elbow while diving for a ball against the [[2004 San Diego Padres season|San Diego Padres]] on September 12 ended his season. His final batting line included a .290 batting average in 121 games, with 31 doubles, 14 home runs, 57 RBI, 65 runs scored, 48 extra-base hits, .349 on-base percentage, .488 slugging percentage, and 195 total bases. He finished in the top five among NL rookies in each of those categories. After the season, Holliday was named to both ''[[Baseball America]]'''s All-Rookie Team and [[Topps]]' Major League Rookie All-Star Team, and finished fifth in the [[Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award|Rookie of the Year]] balloting.<ref name=2004bio/> |
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In his second major league season, Holliday became the [[Batting order (baseball)|cleanup hitter]] behind [[Franchise player|franchise icon]] [[Todd Helton]] in the middle of the [[2005 Colorado Rockies season|2005]] season.<ref name=cleanupoption>{{cite web |last=Harding |first=Thomas |url=http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/1238455/ |title=Holliday's in: Outfielder ready for his closeup |website=Colorado Rockies|publisher=MLB|date=October 5, 2005 |access-date=March 1, 2015}}</ref> After 119 at bats into the season, Holliday hit his first home run against [[Noah Lowry]] of the [[2005 San Francisco Giants season|San Francisco Giants]] on May 17. He hit his second career multi-homer game and first with three extra base hits against the [[2005 St. Louis Cardinals season|Cardinals]] on June 2. He was placed on the [[disabled list]] (DL) with a right fractured pinky<ref name=2005bio>{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=407812#gameType='R'§ionType=career&statType=1&season=2014&level='ALL' |title=Matt Holliday stats, video highlights, photos, bio (2005 highlights) |publisher=MLB|access-date=September 9, 2014}}</ref> and returned to play on July 18.<ref name=2005bio/> He earned his first NL [[Major League Baseball Player of the Week Award|Player of the Week]] award for July 25 to 31, after batting .444 with three home runs, eight RBI, an .852 slugging percentage and a league-leading 12 hits and 23 total bases.<ref name=pow01aug05>{{cite web |last=Couch |first=Ben |url=http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/1154049/ |title=Holliday named NL Player of the Week |website=Colorado Rockies|publisher=MLB|date=August 1, 2005 |access-date=February 28, 2015}}</ref> |
In his second major league season, Holliday became the [[Batting order (baseball)|cleanup hitter]] behind [[Franchise player|franchise icon]] [[Todd Helton]] in the middle of the [[2005 Colorado Rockies season|2005]] season.<ref name=cleanupoption>{{cite web |last=Harding |first=Thomas |url=http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/1238455/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304000331/http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/1238455/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |title=Holliday's in: Outfielder ready for his closeup |website=Colorado Rockies|publisher=MLB|date=October 5, 2005 |access-date=March 1, 2015}}</ref> After 119 at bats into the season, Holliday hit his first home run against [[Noah Lowry]] of the [[2005 San Francisco Giants season|San Francisco Giants]] on May 17. He hit his second career multi-homer game and first with three extra base hits against the [[2005 St. Louis Cardinals season|Cardinals]] on June 2. He was placed on the [[disabled list]] (DL) with a right fractured pinky<ref name=2005bio>{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=407812#gameType='R'§ionType=career&statType=1&season=2014&level='ALL' |title=Matt Holliday stats, video highlights, photos, bio (2005 highlights) |publisher=MLB|access-date=September 9, 2014}}</ref> and returned to play on July 18.<ref name=2005bio/> He earned his first NL [[Major League Baseball Player of the Week Award|Player of the Week]] award for July 25 to 31, after batting .444 with three home runs, eight RBI, an .852 slugging percentage and a league-leading 12 hits and 23 total bases.<ref name=pow01aug05>{{cite web |last=Couch |first=Ben |url=http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/1154049/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304060408/http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/1154049/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |title=Holliday named NL Player of the Week |website=Colorado Rockies|publisher=MLB|date=August 1, 2005 |access-date=February 28, 2015}}</ref> |
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In September, Holliday led the NL with 32 RBI, setting a Rockies record for that month. On September 20 against the [[2005 San Diego Padres season|Padres]], he hit two home runs and tied a Rockies' single-game record with eight RBI in a Rockies 20–1 victory, the highest single-game RBI total in the NL in 2005<ref name=RBIrecord>{{cite web |last=Harding |first=Thomas |url=http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/1217566/ |title=Rox rout one for the record books |website=Colorado Rockies|publisher=MLB|date=September 21, 2005 |access-date=March 1, 2015}}</ref> and second-highest in the major leagues.<ref name=2005bio/> He ended the season with a seven-game hitting streak<ref name=2005bio/> and reached base in each of the Rockies' final 22 games.<ref name=2005wrapup>{{cite web |last=Harding |first=Thomas |url=http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/1234212/ |title=Rockies wrap up the campaign with win |website=Colorado Rockies|publisher=MLB|date=October 2, 2005 |access-date=March 1, 2015}}</ref> Holliday totaled 125 games and improved in nearly all offensive categories from his rookie year, including 147 hits, 19 home runs, 87 RBI, 68 runs, 14 stolen bases, 242 total bases, 505 slugging percentage and .361 on-base percentage. His .307 batting average placed eighth in the NL.<ref name=2005bio/> The club picked up his option for 2006, which was worth $500,000 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|500,000|2005|r=1}}}} today), or about $100,000 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|100,000|2005|r=1}}}} today) more than the average for a player with equivalent service time.<ref name=cleanupoption/> He was selected as the Rockies Player of the Year.<ref name=rockiesawards>{{cite web|url=http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/col/history/awards.jsp|title=Rockies awards|website=Colorado Rockies|publisher=MLB|access-date=August 9, 2014|archive-date=May 13, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513233531/http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/col/history/awards.jsp|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
In September, Holliday led the NL with 32 RBI, setting a Rockies record for that month. On September 20 against the [[2005 San Diego Padres season|Padres]], he hit two home runs and tied a Rockies' single-game record with eight RBI in a Rockies 20–1 victory, the highest single-game RBI total in the NL in 2005<ref name=RBIrecord>{{cite web |last=Harding |first=Thomas |url=http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/1217566/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402145136/http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/1217566/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |title=Rox rout one for the record books |website=Colorado Rockies|publisher=MLB|date=September 21, 2005 |access-date=March 1, 2015}}</ref> and second-highest in the major leagues.<ref name=2005bio/> He ended the season with a seven-game hitting streak<ref name=2005bio/> and reached base in each of the Rockies' final 22 games.<ref name=2005wrapup>{{cite web |last=Harding |first=Thomas |url=http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/1234212/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402151713/http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/1234212/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |title=Rockies wrap up the campaign with win |website=Colorado Rockies|publisher=MLB|date=October 2, 2005 |access-date=March 1, 2015}}</ref> Holliday totaled 125 games and improved in nearly all offensive categories from his rookie year, including 147 hits, 19 home runs, 87 RBI, 68 runs, 14 stolen bases, 242 total bases, 505 slugging percentage and .361 on-base percentage. His .307 batting average placed eighth in the NL.<ref name=2005bio/> The club picked up his option for 2006, which was worth $500,000 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|500,000|2005|r=1}}}} today), or about $100,000 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|100,000|2005|r=1}}}} today) more than the average for a player with equivalent service time.<ref name=cleanupoption/> He was selected as the Rockies Player of the Year.<ref name=rockiesawards>{{cite web|url=http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/col/history/awards.jsp|title=Rockies awards|website=Colorado Rockies|publisher=MLB|access-date=August 9, 2014|archive-date=May 13, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513233531/http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/col/history/awards.jsp|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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Holliday was selected to [[United States national baseball team|Team USA]] for the [[2006 World Baseball Classic]] prior to the start of the MLB season.<ref>{{cite web |last=Perkins |first=Owen |url=http://web.worldbaseballclassic.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060208&content_id=1308731&c_id=mlb |title=Holliday, Fuentes geared up for WBC: Rockies pair discusses upcoming inaugural tourney |work=[[World Baseball Classic]] |date=February 9, 2006 |access-date=March 14, 2015}}</ref> Despite batting just .255 through May 1, [[2006 Colorado Rockies season|2006]], Holliday accumulated 24 RBI in 25 games.<ref name=2006bio>{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=407812#gameType='R'§ionType=career&statType=1&season=2014&level='ALL' |title=Matt Holliday stats, video highlights, photos, bio (2006 highlights) |publisher=MLB|access-date=November 10, 2014}}</ref> From May 1 until the end of the season – a span of 131 games – he collected 169 hits for a .339 batting average, the fourth-highest in the major leagues.<ref name=2006bio/> He batted .404 from June 1–27, second in the NL in that period.<ref>{{cite web |last=Harding |first=Thomas |url=http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/1524976/ |title=Rox notes – Holliday climbing the charts: Holliday gets All-Star support |website=Colorado Rockies|publisher=MLB|date=June 27, 2006 |access-date=March 21, 2015}}</ref> An [[2006 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] selection to the game at [[PNC Park]] in [[Pittsburgh]] for the first time in his career, Holliday was hitting .339 with 16 home runs and 56 RBI at the time of his selection.<ref name=2006as>{{cite web |last=Patterson |first=Matt |url=http://newsok.com/all-star-matt-holliday-is-having-a-breakout-season-with-the-rockies/article/1907737 |title=All-Star Matt Holliday is having a breakout season with the Rockies |work=[[The Oklahoman]] |date=July 9, 2006 |access-date=August 4, 2014}}</ref> In the game, Holliday played right field for the first time as a major leaguer.<ref name=2006bio/> |
Holliday was selected to [[United States national baseball team|Team USA]] for the [[2006 World Baseball Classic]] prior to the start of the MLB season.<ref>{{cite web |last=Perkins |first=Owen |url=http://web.worldbaseballclassic.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060208&content_id=1308731&c_id=mlb |title=Holliday, Fuentes geared up for WBC: Rockies pair discusses upcoming inaugural tourney |work=[[World Baseball Classic]] |date=February 9, 2006 |access-date=March 14, 2015}}</ref> Despite batting just .255 through May 1, [[2006 Colorado Rockies season|2006]], Holliday accumulated 24 RBI in 25 games.<ref name=2006bio>{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=407812#gameType='R'§ionType=career&statType=1&season=2014&level='ALL' |title=Matt Holliday stats, video highlights, photos, bio (2006 highlights) |publisher=MLB|access-date=November 10, 2014}}</ref> From May 1 until the end of the season – a span of 131 games – he collected 169 hits for a .339 batting average, the fourth-highest in the major leagues.<ref name=2006bio/> He batted .404 from June 1–27, second in the NL in that period.<ref>{{cite web |last=Harding |first=Thomas |url=http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/1524976/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402092702/http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/1524976/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |title=Rox notes – Holliday climbing the charts: Holliday gets All-Star support |website=Colorado Rockies|publisher=MLB|date=June 27, 2006 |access-date=March 21, 2015}}</ref> An [[2006 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] selection to the game at [[PNC Park]] in [[Pittsburgh]] for the first time in his career, Holliday was hitting .339 with 16 home runs and 56 RBI at the time of his selection.<ref name=2006as>{{cite web |last=Patterson |first=Matt |url=http://newsok.com/all-star-matt-holliday-is-having-a-breakout-season-with-the-rockies/article/1907737 |title=All-Star Matt Holliday is having a breakout season with the Rockies |work=[[The Oklahoman]] |date=July 9, 2006 |access-date=August 4, 2014}}</ref> In the game, Holliday played right field for the first time as a major leaguer.<ref name=2006bio/> |
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On September 19, 2006, Holliday hit the longest home run of 2006 in MLB against [[Matt Cain]] of the Giants. While the official distance was {{convert|443|ft|m}}, HitTracker estimated it at {{convert|496|ft|m}}.<ref name=longest2006>{{cite web |last=Beinhoff |first=Drew |url=http://www.realclearsports.com/blognetwork/the_coors_effect/2006/09/you-gotta-love-matt-holliday.html |title=You gotta love Matt Holliday |publisher=Real Clear Sports |date=September 20, 2006 |access-date=August 4, 2014}}</ref> His grand slam and triple five days later against the Braves assisted the Rockies' comeback from a 7–0 deficit to a 9–8 final victory.<ref>{{cite web |last=Harding |first=Thomas |url=http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060924&content_id=134676&vkey=news_milb&fext=.jsp |title=Morillo hit hard in debut, but Rockies win |publisher=MiLB.com |date=September 24, 2006 |access-date=August 4, 2014}}</ref> He garnered his second NL Player of the Week for the week ending September 24, after hitting four homers, three doubles and a triple, helping propel the Rockies to win five of seven games.<ref name=pow24sep06>{{cite web |last=Branam |first=Amanda |url=http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/1681839/ |title=Jones, Holliday meet again: Jones, Holliday share NL Player of Week |website=Colorado Rockies|publisher=MLB|date=September 25, 2006 |access-date=February 28, 2015}}</ref> In 155 total games, Holliday batted .326 with 196 hits, 45 doubles, 34 home runs, 114 RBIs, 119 runs, 10 stolen bases, 353 total bases, .586 [[slugging percentage]], and .387 [[on-base percentage]]. He became just the 19th player ever to meet or exceed 195 hits, 30 home runs, 45 doubles, 115 runs and 110 RBI in one season. He finished in the top five of the [[National League (baseball)|National League]] in batting average, hits, runs, extra base hits, total bases and slugging percentage. After the season, received his first [[Silver Slugger Award]] as an [[List of Silver Slugger Award winners at outfield|outfielder]].<ref name=2006bio/> |
On September 19, 2006, Holliday hit the longest home run of 2006 in MLB against [[Matt Cain]] of the Giants. While the official distance was {{convert|443|ft|m}}, HitTracker estimated it at {{convert|496|ft|m}}.<ref name=longest2006>{{cite web |last=Beinhoff |first=Drew |url=http://www.realclearsports.com/blognetwork/the_coors_effect/2006/09/you-gotta-love-matt-holliday.html |title=You gotta love Matt Holliday |publisher=Real Clear Sports |date=September 20, 2006 |access-date=August 4, 2014}}</ref> His grand slam and triple five days later against the Braves assisted the Rockies' comeback from a 7–0 deficit to a 9–8 final victory.<ref>{{cite web |last=Harding |first=Thomas |url=http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060924&content_id=134676&vkey=news_milb&fext=.jsp |title=Morillo hit hard in debut, but Rockies win |publisher=MiLB.com |date=September 24, 2006 |access-date=August 4, 2014}}</ref> He garnered his second NL Player of the Week for the week ending September 24, after hitting four homers, three doubles and a triple, helping propel the Rockies to win five of seven games.<ref name=pow24sep06>{{cite web |last=Branam |first=Amanda |url=http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/1681839/ |title=Jones, Holliday meet again: Jones, Holliday share NL Player of Week |website=Colorado Rockies|publisher=MLB|date=September 25, 2006 |access-date=February 28, 2015}}{{dead link|date=October 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> In 155 total games, Holliday batted .326 with 196 hits, 45 doubles, 34 home runs, 114 RBIs, 119 runs, 10 stolen bases, 353 total bases, .586 [[slugging percentage]], and .387 [[on-base percentage]]. He became just the 19th player ever to meet or exceed 195 hits, 30 home runs, 45 doubles, 115 runs and 110 RBI in one season. He finished in the top five of the [[National League (baseball)|National League]] in batting average, hits, runs, extra base hits, total bases and slugging percentage. After the season, received his first [[Silver Slugger Award]] as an [[List of Silver Slugger Award winners at outfield|outfielder]].<ref name=2006bio/> |
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====2007: Batting title winner and NLCS MVP==== |
====2007: Batting title winner and NLCS MVP==== |
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Continuing to evolve as a hitter, Holliday started the [[2007 Colorado Rockies season|2007]] season as in the Rockies' lineup as the number five hitter, but changed to the third slot for the final five months of the season. He fashioned a new career-high 14-game hitting streak that spanned from April 17 to May 1.<ref name=2007splits>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=hollima01&year=2007&t=b |title=Matt Holliday 2007 batting splits |work=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=February 20, 2015}}</ref> His two outfield assists on April 21 against [[2007 San Diego Padres season|San Diego]] in the sixth inning tied a club record for outfield assists in one inning.<ref>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/scores107/107111/MLB732513.htm |title=Padres 7, Rockies 3 |work=USA Today|date=April 21, 2007 |access-date=February 26, 2015}}</ref> In the April 29 contest against the [[2007 Atlanta Braves season|Braves]], Holliday hit his first career [[walk-off home run]] in the bottom of the 11th off [[Bob Wickman]] to provide a 9–7 victory.<ref>{{cite web |last=Perkins |first=Owen |url=http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/1936920/ |title=Holliday's walk-off gives Rox victory |website=Colorado Rockies|publisher=MLB|date=April 29, 2007 |access-date=February 26, 2015}}</ref> From May 22 to June 7, he established a new career-high 15 game hitting streak.<ref>{{cite web |last=Perkins |first=Owen |url=http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/2014247/ |title=Notes: Holliday swinging a hot bat |publisher=MLB.com |website=Colorado Rockies |date=June 8, 2007 |access-date=February 20, 2015}}</ref> In 87 first half games, Holliday totaled 30 doubles, 15 home runs, 69 RBI, 122 hits, a .341 average, and a .573 slugging percentage.<ref name=2007splits/> NL players and coaches selected him in with 725 votes to play in the [[2007 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star Game]] at [[AT&T Park]] in San Francisco for the second straight season. He also participated in the [[2007 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby|Home Run Derby]].<ref name=2007season>{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=407812#gameType='R'§ionType=career&statType=1&season=2014&level='ALL' |title=Matt Holliday stats, video highlights, photos, bio (2007 highlights) |publisher=MLB|access-date=December 10, 2012}}</ref> |
Continuing to evolve as a hitter, Holliday started the [[2007 Colorado Rockies season|2007]] season as in the Rockies' lineup as the number five hitter, but changed to the third slot for the final five months of the season. He fashioned a new career-high 14-game hitting streak that spanned from April 17 to May 1.<ref name=2007splits>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=hollima01&year=2007&t=b |title=Matt Holliday 2007 batting splits |work=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=February 20, 2015}}</ref> His two outfield assists on April 21 against [[2007 San Diego Padres season|San Diego]] in the sixth inning tied a club record for outfield assists in one inning.<ref>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/scores107/107111/MLB732513.htm |title=Padres 7, Rockies 3 |work=USA Today|date=April 21, 2007 |access-date=February 26, 2015}}</ref> In the April 29 contest against the [[2007 Atlanta Braves season|Braves]], Holliday hit his first career [[walk-off home run]] in the bottom of the 11th off [[Bob Wickman]] to provide a 9–7 victory.<ref>{{cite web |last=Perkins |first=Owen |url=http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/1936920/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227023420/http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/1936920/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 27, 2015 |title=Holliday's walk-off gives Rox victory |website=Colorado Rockies|publisher=MLB|date=April 29, 2007 |access-date=February 26, 2015}}</ref> From May 22 to June 7, he established a new career-high 15 game hitting streak.<ref>{{cite web |last=Perkins |first=Owen |url=http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/2014247/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221011156/http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/2014247/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 21, 2015 |title=Notes: Holliday swinging a hot bat |publisher=MLB.com |website=Colorado Rockies |date=June 8, 2007 |access-date=February 20, 2015}}</ref> In 87 first half games, Holliday totaled 30 doubles, 15 home runs, 69 RBI, 122 hits, a .341 average, and a .573 slugging percentage.<ref name=2007splits/> NL players and coaches selected him in with 725 votes to play in the [[2007 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star Game]] at [[AT&T Park]] in San Francisco for the second straight season. He also participated in the [[2007 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby|Home Run Derby]].<ref name=2007season>{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=407812#gameType='R'§ionType=career&statType=1&season=2014&level='ALL' |title=Matt Holliday stats, video highlights, photos, bio (2007 highlights) |publisher=MLB|access-date=December 10, 2012}}</ref> |
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Holliday hit .361 (86-for-238) in the final 60 games of the season.<ref name=2007season/> For the week ending July 29, he earned National League Player of the Week honors as the Rockies won four of the six games, batting .364 with a .481 on-base percentage and four home runs, two doubles, and 10 RBI.<ref name=pow29jul07>{{cite web |last=Dubose |first=Ben |url=http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/2119373/ |title=Holliday earns Player of Week honors |publisher=MLB|website=Colorado Rockies |date=July 30, 2007 |access-date=February 20, 2015}}</ref> From August 10 to 27, he strung together another new career-best 17-game hitting streak.<ref name=2007season/><ref>{{cite web |last=Harding |first=Thomas |url=http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/2175251/ |title=Again, one and done for the Rockies |publisher=colorado.rockies.com |date=August 28, 2007 |access-date=February 20, 2015}}</ref> In reaching base safely each game from July 22 to August 31 against the [[2007 Arizona Diamondbacks season|Diamondbacks]], Holliday's feat of 36 consecutive games eclipsed a Rockies record which Helton and Walker previously shared,<ref name=obstreak>{{cite news |url=http://www.denverpost.com/ci_6777199/ |work=Denver Post |first=Patrick |last=Saunders |title=Sully comes up big in 10th |date=September 1, 2007}}</ref> eventually ending at 38.<ref name=2007season/> |
Holliday hit .361 (86-for-238) in the final 60 games of the season.<ref name=2007season/> For the week ending July 29, he earned National League Player of the Week honors as the Rockies won four of the six games, batting .364 with a .481 on-base percentage and four home runs, two doubles, and 10 RBI.<ref name=pow29jul07>{{cite web |last=Dubose |first=Ben |url=http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/2119373/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220213237/http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/2119373/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 20, 2015 |title=Holliday earns Player of Week honors |publisher=MLB|website=Colorado Rockies |date=July 30, 2007 |access-date=February 20, 2015}}</ref> From August 10 to 27, he strung together another new career-best 17-game hitting streak.<ref name=2007season/><ref>{{cite web |last=Harding |first=Thomas |url=http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/2175251/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220224616/http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/2175251/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 20, 2015 |title=Again, one and done for the Rockies |publisher=colorado.rockies.com |date=August 28, 2007 |access-date=February 20, 2015}}</ref> In reaching base safely each game from July 22 to August 31 against the [[2007 Arizona Diamondbacks season|Diamondbacks]], Holliday's feat of 36 consecutive games eclipsed a Rockies record which Helton and Walker previously shared,<ref name=obstreak>{{cite news |url=http://www.denverpost.com/ci_6777199/ |work=Denver Post |first=Patrick |last=Saunders |title=Sully comes up big in 10th |date=September 1, 2007}}</ref> eventually ending at 38.<ref name=2007season/> |
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[[File:IMG 9454 MattHolliday.jpg|left|thumb|Holliday on the field in 2007]] |
[[File:IMG 9454 MattHolliday.jpg|left|thumb|Holliday on the field in 2007]] |
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Holliday gained his second NL Player of the Week selection of the season and fourth of his career on September 16, after hitting six home runs, driving in 11, batting .407 with a .500 on-base percentage, and leading the NL each with a 1.148 slugging percentage, 11 runs scored, and 31 total bases.<ref name=pow16sep07>{{cite web |last=Addcox |first=Jayson |url=http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/2213899/ |title=Holliday named NL Player of the Week |publisher=colorado.rockies.com |date=September 17, 2007 |access-date=February 20, 2015}}</ref> In a 12-game span from September 9–20, he hit 11 home runs;<ref>{{cite web |last=Moore |first=C. J. |url=http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/2220160/ |title=Holliday stays hot as Rockies sweep |website=Colorado Rockies|publisher=MLB|date=September 20, 2007 |access-date=February 26, 2015}}</ref> only [[Alex Rodríguez]] matched that feat in 2007. One of the home runs was the 100th of his career and his 200th hit of the season, occurring on September 19 in a 9–8 victory over the [[2007 Los Angeles Dodgers season|Dodgers]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Harding |first=Thomas |url=http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/2216972/ |title=Helton's heroics lift Rox to sweep |publisher=colorado.rockies.com |date=September 19, 2007 |access-date=March 17, 2015}}</ref> His September totals included a .367 batting average, 29 runs scored, six doubles, 12 home runs, 30 RBI, and .796 slugging percentage, prompting MLB to award him NL [[MLB Player of the Month|Player of the Month]] honors<ref name=pomsept2007>{{cite press release |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20071001&content_id=2244029&vkey=pr_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |title=Colorado's Matt Holliday voted National League Player of the Month for September |work=MLB.com |date=October 1, 2007 |access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref> as the Rockies won 13 of their 14 final scheduled games.<ref>{{cite web |last=Harding |first=Thomas |url=http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071027&content_id=2284534&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=col |title=Rox rally not enough to avoid 3–0 hole |website=Colorado Rockies|publisher=MLB|date=October 28, 2007 |access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref> He garnered copious attention for the [[Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award|Most Valuable Player]] (MVP) award throughout the season, which increased even more that September.<ref name=pow16sep07/><ref>{{cite web |last=Wheatley-Schaller |first=Jacob |url=http://www.hardballtimes.com/whos-going-to-be-the-mvp/ |title=Who's going to be the MVP? |publisher=[[The Hardball Times]] |date=October 2, 2007 |access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Sheehan |first=Joe |author-link=Joe Sheehan |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2007/11/20/bp-nlmvp |title=Voters miss the boat on MVP voting |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=November 20, 2007 |access-date=February 21, 2015}}</ref> |
Holliday gained his second NL Player of the Week selection of the season and fourth of his career on September 16, after hitting six home runs, driving in 11, batting .407 with a .500 on-base percentage, and leading the NL each with a 1.148 slugging percentage, 11 runs scored, and 31 total bases.<ref name=pow16sep07>{{cite web |last=Addcox |first=Jayson |url=http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/2213899/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220235155/http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/2213899/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 20, 2015 |title=Holliday named NL Player of the Week |publisher=colorado.rockies.com |date=September 17, 2007 |access-date=February 20, 2015}}</ref> In a 12-game span from September 9–20, he hit 11 home runs;<ref>{{cite web |last=Moore |first=C. J. |url=http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/2220160/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227001257/http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/2220160/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 27, 2015 |title=Holliday stays hot as Rockies sweep |website=Colorado Rockies|publisher=MLB|date=September 20, 2007 |access-date=February 26, 2015}}</ref> only [[Alex Rodríguez]] matched that feat in 2007. One of the home runs was the 100th of his career and his 200th hit of the season, occurring on September 19 in a 9–8 victory over the [[2007 Los Angeles Dodgers season|Dodgers]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Harding |first=Thomas |url=http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/2216972/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402103407/http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/2216972/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |title=Helton's heroics lift Rox to sweep |publisher=colorado.rockies.com |date=September 19, 2007 |access-date=March 17, 2015}}</ref> His September totals included a .367 batting average, 29 runs scored, six doubles, 12 home runs, 30 RBI, and .796 slugging percentage, prompting MLB to award him NL [[MLB Player of the Month|Player of the Month]] honors<ref name=pomsept2007>{{cite press release |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20071001&content_id=2244029&vkey=pr_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |title=Colorado's Matt Holliday voted National League Player of the Month for September |work=MLB.com |date=October 1, 2007 |access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref> as the Rockies won 13 of their 14 final scheduled games.<ref>{{cite web |last=Harding |first=Thomas |url=http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071027&content_id=2284534&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=col |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090407213824/http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071027&content_id=2284534&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=col |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 7, 2009 |title=Rox rally not enough to avoid 3–0 hole |website=Colorado Rockies|publisher=MLB|date=October 28, 2007 |access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref> He garnered copious attention for the [[Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award|Most Valuable Player]] (MVP) award throughout the season, which increased even more that September.<ref name=pow16sep07/><ref>{{cite web |last=Wheatley-Schaller |first=Jacob |url=http://www.hardballtimes.com/whos-going-to-be-the-mvp/ |title=Who's going to be the MVP? |publisher=[[The Hardball Times]] |date=October 2, 2007 |access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Sheehan |first=Joe |author-link=Joe Sheehan |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2007/11/20/bp-nlmvp |title=Voters miss the boat on MVP voting |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=November 20, 2007 |access-date=February 21, 2015}}</ref> |
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The Rockies and Padres finished the scheduled portion of their regular seasons tied for the NL [[Major League Baseball wild card|wild card]] position with identical 89–73 [[Winning percentage|records]], for which MLB [[Major League Baseball tie-breaking procedures|declared]] a one-game extension to the regular season to determine the [[2007 National League Wild Card tie-breaker game|wild-card winner]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Isidore |first=Chris |url=https://money.cnn.com/2007/09/30/commentary/sportsbiz/?postversion=2007100109 |title=Mets lost millions (of $) in collapse |publisher=[[CNNMoney]] |date=October 1, 2012 |access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref> Holliday's triple in the bottom of the 13th inning off Padres [[Closer (baseball)|closer]] [[Trevor Hoffman]] scored [[Troy Tulowitzki]] as the tying run.<ref name=wcplayoff>{{cite web |last=Hernandez |first=Dylan |url= |
The Rockies and Padres finished the scheduled portion of their regular seasons tied for the NL [[Major League Baseball wild card|wild card]] position with identical 89–73 [[Winning percentage|records]], for which MLB [[Major League Baseball tie-breaking procedures|declared]] a one-game extension to the regular season to determine the [[2007 National League Wild Card tie-breaker game|wild-card winner]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Isidore |first=Chris |url=https://money.cnn.com/2007/09/30/commentary/sportsbiz/?postversion=2007100109 |title=Mets lost millions (of $) in collapse |publisher=[[CNNMoney]] |date=October 1, 2012 |access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref> Holliday's triple in the bottom of the 13th inning off Padres [[Closer (baseball)|closer]] [[Trevor Hoffman]] scored [[Troy Tulowitzki]] as the tying run.<ref name=wcplayoff>{{cite web |last=Hernandez |first=Dylan |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-oct-02-sp-playoff2-story.html |title=Holliday in and so are Rockies with epic win: He crashes home in 13th to cap three-run rally that puts Colorado in playoffs with 9-8 defeat of Padres |work=Los Angeles Times |date=October 2, 2007 |access-date=March 17, 2007}}</ref> Holliday scored the winning run on [[Jamey Carroll]]'s [[sacrifice fly]] in a bloody collision with [[catcher]] [[Michael Barrett (baseball)|Michael Barrett]], although controversy arose as to whether he touched home plate. Thus, the Rockies entered the playoffs for the first time in Holliday's career.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bloom |first=Barry |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071002&content_id=2245357&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |title=Rocky horror becomes heroics |website=MLB.com |date=October 2, 2007 |access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/matt-holliday-rockies-slide-wild-card-13th-article-1.227223 |title=Matt Holliday, Rockies slide into wild card in 13th |work=[[New York Daily News]] |date=October 2, 2007 |access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref> |
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After hitting a career-best .340, Holliday won his first [[List of Major League Baseball batting champions|batting title]].<ref>{{cite news |agency=ESPN Wire Services |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=3045736 |title=Holliday comes through big to take first batting title |work=ESPN.com |date=October 1, 2007 |access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref> He played in 158 games and posted career-highs as the National League leader in hits (216), doubles (50), RBI (137), [[extra base hit]]s (92), and [[List of Major League Baseball career total bases leaders|total bases]] (386). Additionally, he placed third in each of runs scored (120), slugging percentage (.607) and OPS (1.012), and fourth in home runs (36) and [[Adjusted OPS|adjusted OPS+]] (150). The 63 walks were a new career-high<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/stats/player |title=MLB batting statistics and league leaders |work=ESPN.com |access-date=December 10, 2012}}</ref> at the time. He became just the fifth National Leaguer in the previous 59 years to lead the NL in both batting average and RBI,<ref>{{cite web |last=Moore |first=C. J. |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071002&content_id=2245340&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |title=Holliday plays like an MVP – as usual |website=MLB.com |date=October 2, 2007 |access-date=December 10, 2012}}</ref> and only the 13th major league player in the previous 45 years with at least 200 hits and 50 doubles.<ref name=13thsince1962>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |url=http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=270929127 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019175712/http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=270929127 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 19, 2012 |title=Rockies rout NL West champion D-backs to stay alive |work=ESPN.com |date=July 29, 2007 |access-date=December 10, 2012}}</ref> |
After hitting a career-best .340, Holliday won his first [[List of Major League Baseball batting champions|batting title]].<ref>{{cite news |agency=ESPN Wire Services |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=3045736 |title=Holliday comes through big to take first batting title |work=ESPN.com |date=October 1, 2007 |access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref> He played in 158 games and posted career-highs as the National League leader in hits (216), doubles (50), RBI (137), [[extra base hit]]s (92), and [[List of Major League Baseball career total bases leaders|total bases]] (386). Additionally, he placed third in each of runs scored (120), slugging percentage (.607) and OPS (1.012), and fourth in home runs (36) and [[Adjusted OPS|adjusted OPS+]] (150). The 63 walks were a new career-high<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/stats/player |title=MLB batting statistics and league leaders |work=ESPN.com |access-date=December 10, 2012}}</ref> at the time. He became just the fifth National Leaguer in the previous 59 years to lead the NL in both batting average and RBI,<ref>{{cite web |last=Moore |first=C. J. |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071002&content_id=2245340&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |title=Holliday plays like an MVP – as usual |website=MLB.com |date=October 2, 2007 |access-date=December 10, 2012}}</ref> and only the 13th major league player in the previous 45 years with at least 200 hits and 50 doubles.<ref name=13thsince1962>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |url=http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=270929127 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019175712/http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=270929127 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 19, 2012 |title=Rockies rout NL West champion D-backs to stay alive |work=ESPN.com |date=July 29, 2007 |access-date=December 10, 2012}}</ref> |
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On January 18, [[2008 Colorado Rockies season|2008]], Holliday signed a two-year, $23 million contract with the Rockies, covering his final two years of arbitration.<ref name="hollidaycontract">{{cite web |last=Harding |first=Thomas |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080118&content_id=2350393&vkey=hotstove2007&fext=.jsp |title=Holliday, Rockies agree to new contract |website=MLB.com |date=January 18, 2008 |access-date=December 10, 2012}}</ref> The Rockies also offered a four-year, $72 million extension, with a club option for a fifth year at $12 million. The team viewed the contract extension with the two years covering arbitration as a singular deal worth approximately $107 million. In contrast, Holliday and his [[Sports agent|agent]], [[Scott Boras]], regarded the extension as an $84-million [[free agent]] contract undervalued compared to similar players. Therefore, negotiations stalled in spring training.<ref>{{cite web |last=Renck |first=Troy |url=http://www.denverpost.com/rockies/ci_10951275 |title=Rockies ship Holliday to Oakland |work=The Denver Post |date=November 11, 2008 |access-date=August 7, 2014}}</ref> |
On January 18, [[2008 Colorado Rockies season|2008]], Holliday signed a two-year, $23 million contract with the Rockies, covering his final two years of arbitration.<ref name="hollidaycontract">{{cite web |last=Harding |first=Thomas |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080118&content_id=2350393&vkey=hotstove2007&fext=.jsp |title=Holliday, Rockies agree to new contract |website=MLB.com |date=January 18, 2008 |access-date=December 10, 2012}}</ref> The Rockies also offered a four-year, $72 million extension, with a club option for a fifth year at $12 million. The team viewed the contract extension with the two years covering arbitration as a singular deal worth approximately $107 million. In contrast, Holliday and his [[Sports agent|agent]], [[Scott Boras]], regarded the extension as an $84-million [[free agent]] contract undervalued compared to similar players. Therefore, negotiations stalled in spring training.<ref>{{cite web |last=Renck |first=Troy |url=http://www.denverpost.com/rockies/ci_10951275 |title=Rockies ship Holliday to Oakland |work=The Denver Post |date=November 11, 2008 |access-date=August 7, 2014}}</ref> |
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Holliday collected three hits<ref>{{cite web |last=Perkins |first=Owen |url=http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/2505721/ |title=Rox take another from Braves |website=Colorado Rockies|publisher=MLB|date=April 9, 2008 |access-date=March 22, 2015}}</ref> and hit the go-ahead home run in the eighth inning against the [[2008 Atlanta Braves season|Braves]] on April 7, giving the Rockies a 2–1 win.<ref>{{cite web |last=Perkins |first=Owen |url=http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/2502113/ |title=Holliday hammers home game-winner |website=Colorado Rockies|publisher=MLB|date=April 8, 2008 |access-date=March 22, 2015}}</ref> In a three-game sweep of Atlanta, he hit .462 (6-for-13), with a double, triple and home run, and six RBI. He earned the NL Player of the Week award for the period ending April 13 as the Rockies won four of six. Holliday led the NL with a .480 batting average and 10 RBI, while homering twice with an .880 slugging percentage and .519 on-base percentage.<ref name=pofw13apr08>{{cite web |last=Singh |first=David |url=http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/2527363/ |title=Holliday's bat earns NL weekly honor |website=Colorado Rockies|publisher=MLB|date=April 14, 2008 |access-date=March 22, 2015}}</ref> He hit the game-tying home run against [[2008 New York Mets season|New York Mets]] closer [[Billy Wagner]] in the bottom of the ninth inning on May 23, then the game-winning single off [[Aaron Heilman]] in the bottom of the 13th to drive in [[Jonathan Herrera (baseball)|Jonathan Herrera]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Harding |first=Thomas |url=http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/2754798/ |title=Holliday the hero in Rockies' win |website=Colorado Rockies|publisher=MLB|date=May 24, 2008 |access-date=March 30, 2015}}</ref> Two days later, the Rockies placed Holliday on the 15-day DL due to a strained left hamstring,<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_9377598 |work=The Denver Post |first=Patrick |last=Saunders |title=Rockies add Holliday to DL |date=May 25, 2008}}</ref> and reactivated him on June 10.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=3436513 |title=Holliday comes off disabled list, Tulowitzki, Barmes improving |work=ESPN.com |date=June 11, 2008 |access-date=December 10, 2012}}</ref> |
Holliday collected three hits<ref>{{cite web |last=Perkins |first=Owen |url=http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/2505721/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402123803/http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/2505721/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |title=Rox take another from Braves |website=Colorado Rockies|publisher=MLB|date=April 9, 2008 |access-date=March 22, 2015}}</ref> and hit the go-ahead home run in the eighth inning against the [[2008 Atlanta Braves season|Braves]] on April 7, giving the Rockies a 2–1 win.<ref>{{cite web |last=Perkins |first=Owen |url=http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/2502113/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304084744/http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/2502113/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |title=Holliday hammers home game-winner |website=Colorado Rockies|publisher=MLB|date=April 8, 2008 |access-date=March 22, 2015}}</ref> In a three-game sweep of Atlanta, he hit .462 (6-for-13), with a double, triple and home run, and six RBI. He earned the NL Player of the Week award for the period ending April 13 as the Rockies won four of six. Holliday led the NL with a .480 batting average and 10 RBI, while homering twice with an .880 slugging percentage and .519 on-base percentage.<ref name=pofw13apr08>{{cite web |last=Singh |first=David |url=http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/2527363/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402112321/http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/2527363/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |title=Holliday's bat earns NL weekly honor |website=Colorado Rockies|publisher=MLB|date=April 14, 2008 |access-date=March 22, 2015}}</ref> He hit the game-tying home run against [[2008 New York Mets season|New York Mets]] closer [[Billy Wagner]] in the bottom of the ninth inning on May 23, then the game-winning single off [[Aaron Heilman]] in the bottom of the 13th to drive in [[Jonathan Herrera (baseball)|Jonathan Herrera]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Harding |first=Thomas |url=http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/2754798/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402124045/http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/2754798/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |title=Holliday the hero in Rockies' win |website=Colorado Rockies|publisher=MLB|date=May 24, 2008 |access-date=March 30, 2015}}</ref> Two days later, the Rockies placed Holliday on the 15-day DL due to a strained left hamstring,<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_9377598 |work=The Denver Post |first=Patrick |last=Saunders |title=Rockies add Holliday to DL |date=May 25, 2008}}</ref> and reactivated him on June 10.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=3436513 |title=Holliday comes off disabled list, Tulowitzki, Barmes improving |work=ESPN.com |date=June 11, 2008 |access-date=December 10, 2012}}</ref> |
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The Rockies posted the largest comeback in team history in a nine-run deficit on July 4 against the [[2008 Florida Marlins season|Florida Marlins]]. After the Marlins led 13–4, Holliday provided two home runs, including a grand slam to reduce the Marlins' lead to 17–16 in an eventual 18–17 win.<ref name=nineruncomeback>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |url=http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=280704127 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080713214349/http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=280704127 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 13, 2008 |title=Iannetta's game-winning single caps biggest comeback in Rockies' history |work=ESPN.com |date=July 4, 2008 |access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref> On July 6, Holliday was named a reserve outfielder for National League in the [[2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star Game]] for the third consecutive year.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_9801835 |work=The Denver Post |first=Patrick |last=Saunders | title=Cook, Holliday are All-Stars | date=July 6, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/jul/06/rockies-cook-holliday-all-star-team/ |title=Hurdle has winning on his agenda : Rockies |work=The Rocky Mountain News |date=July 7, 2008 |access-date=December 10, 2012}}</ref> He replaced [[2008 Chicago Cubs season|Chicago Cubs]] outfielder [[Alfonso Soriano]], who did not play due to injury, as the starter in right field,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/allstar08/news/story?id=3481665 |title=Holliday to replace Soriano in NL All-Star lineup |work=ESPN.com |date=July 10, 2008 |access-date=December 10, 2012}}</ref> and hit a solo home run in the top of the fifth inning.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=280715131 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080726084218/http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=280715131 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 26, 2008 |title=National League All-Stars vs. American League All-Stars recap |work=ESPN.com |date=July 15, 2008 |access-date=December 10, 2012}}</ref> For the month of July, he batted .370 with eight home runs and 24 RBI, .660 slugging percentage and 24 runs scored in 27 games.<ref name=2008splits>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=hollima01&year=2008&t=b |title=Matt Holliday 2008 batting splits |work=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=March 29, 2015}}</ref> Holliday's August totals included 11 stolen bases and 30 runs scored in 28 games, six home runs, nine doubles and a .392 on-base percentage.<ref name=2008splits/> |
The Rockies posted the largest comeback in team history in a nine-run deficit on July 4 against the [[2008 Florida Marlins season|Florida Marlins]]. After the Marlins led 13–4, Holliday provided two home runs, including a grand slam to reduce the Marlins' lead to 17–16 in an eventual 18–17 win.<ref name=nineruncomeback>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |url=http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=280704127 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080713214349/http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=280704127 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 13, 2008 |title=Iannetta's game-winning single caps biggest comeback in Rockies' history |work=ESPN.com |date=July 4, 2008 |access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref> On July 6, Holliday was named a reserve outfielder for National League in the [[2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star Game]] for the third consecutive year.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_9801835 |work=The Denver Post |first=Patrick |last=Saunders | title=Cook, Holliday are All-Stars | date=July 6, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/jul/06/rockies-cook-holliday-all-star-team/ |title=Hurdle has winning on his agenda : Rockies |work=The Rocky Mountain News |date=July 7, 2008 |access-date=December 10, 2012}}</ref> He replaced [[2008 Chicago Cubs season|Chicago Cubs]] outfielder [[Alfonso Soriano]], who did not play due to injury, as the starter in right field,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/allstar08/news/story?id=3481665 |title=Holliday to replace Soriano in NL All-Star lineup |work=ESPN.com |date=July 10, 2008 |access-date=December 10, 2012}}</ref> and hit a solo home run in the top of the fifth inning.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=280715131 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080726084218/http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=280715131 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 26, 2008 |title=National League All-Stars vs. American League All-Stars recap |work=ESPN.com |date=July 15, 2008 |access-date=December 10, 2012}}</ref> For the month of July, he batted .370 with eight home runs and 24 RBI, .660 slugging percentage and 24 runs scored in 27 games.<ref name=2008splits>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=hollima01&year=2008&t=b |title=Matt Holliday 2008 batting splits |work=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=March 29, 2015}}</ref> Holliday's August totals included 11 stolen bases and 30 runs scored in 28 games, six home runs, nine doubles and a .392 on-base percentage.<ref name=2008splits/> |
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===Oakland Athletics (2009)=== |
===Oakland Athletics (2009)=== |
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[[File:Matt Holliday (3719214384) (cropped).jpg|thumb|Holliday with the Oakland Athletics in 2009.]] |
[[File:Matt Holliday (3719214384) (cropped).jpg|thumb|Holliday with the Oakland Athletics in 2009.]] |
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Unable to agree to an extension, the Rockies traded Holliday on November 12, 2008, to [[Oakland Athletics]] for pitchers [[Huston Street]] and [[Greg Smith (pitcher)|Greg Smith]], and outfielder [[Carlos González (baseball)|Carlos González]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Bloom |first=Barry |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081110&content_id=3673065&vkey=hotstove2008&fext=.jsp |title=Rockies, A's complete Holliday deal |website=MLB.com |date=November 12, 2008 |access-date=December 10, 2012}}</ref> Holliday began working with former A's and Cardinals first baseman [[Mark McGwire]] as a personal hitting [[Coach (baseball)|coach]] during the 2008–09 off-season,<ref>{{cite news |last=Crouse |first=Karen |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/13/sports/baseball/13mcgwire.html?_r=3&ref=sports& |title=Mark McGwire discusses hitting instructor role |work=The New York Times |date=March 9, 2009 |access-date=August 10, 2014}}</ref> who became the Cardinals' official [[List of St. Louis Cardinals coaches|hitting coach]] the following off-season.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kepner |first=Tyler |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/12/sports/baseball/12mcgwire.html |title=McGwire admits that he used steroids |work=The New York Times |date=January 11, 2010 |access-date=February 27, 2015}}</ref> |
Unable to agree to an extension, the Rockies traded Holliday on November 12, 2008, to the [[Oakland Athletics]] for pitchers [[Huston Street]] and [[Greg Smith (pitcher)|Greg Smith]], and outfielder [[Carlos González (baseball)|Carlos González]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Bloom |first=Barry |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081110&content_id=3673065&vkey=hotstove2008&fext=.jsp |title=Rockies, A's complete Holliday deal |website=MLB.com |date=November 12, 2008 |access-date=December 10, 2012}}</ref> Holliday began working with former A's and Cardinals first baseman [[Mark McGwire]] as a personal hitting [[Coach (baseball)|coach]] during the 2008–09 off-season,<ref>{{cite news |last=Crouse |first=Karen |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/13/sports/baseball/13mcgwire.html?_r=3&ref=sports& |title=Mark McGwire discusses hitting instructor role |work=The New York Times |date=March 9, 2009 |access-date=August 10, 2014}}</ref> who became the Cardinals' official [[List of St. Louis Cardinals coaches|hitting coach]] the following off-season.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kepner |first=Tyler |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/12/sports/baseball/12mcgwire.html |title=McGwire admits that he used steroids |work=The New York Times |date=January 11, 2010 |access-date=February 27, 2015}}</ref> |
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After spending most of the off-season on the trade market with the Rockies, Holliday was again a frequent subject of rumors during the spring. The Athletics failed to get off to a strong start<ref>{{cite news |last=Heyman |first=Jon |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/jon_heyman/06/03/what.everyone.needs/index.html |publisher=CNN |title=Nobody's perfect: The early line on trade needs for the contenders |date=June 3, 2009 |access-date=May 12, 2010}}</ref> and it was unlikely the club would have been able to re-sign him over the course of the season or if he would have had become a [[free agent]] following the season.<ref>{{cite web |last=Urban |first=Mychael |url=http://m.athletics.mlb.com/news/article/3676008/ |title=Holliday bringing big bat to Oakland |website=MLB.com |date=November 12, 2008 |access-date=February 16, 2015}}</ref> He also got off a slow start as minor injuries hampered him while playing in Oakland.<ref name=injuries>{{cite web |last=Urban |first=Mychael |url=http://m.athletics.mlb.com/news/article/5270166/ |title=Holliday playing through pain |website=MLB.com |date=June 11, 2009 |access-date=February 16, 2015}}</ref> His first home run of the season came on the last day of April against the [[2009 Texas Rangers season|Texas Rangers]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Wills |first=Todd |url=http://m.athletics.mlb.com/news/article/4498368/ |title=Heist in Texas: Sweeney's stab seals win |publisher=athletics.mlb.com |date=April 30, 2009 |access-date=February 19, 2015}}</ref> He batted .240 in April,<ref name=may2009>{{cite web |last=Urban |first=Mychael |url=http://m.athletics.mlb.com/news/article/4965338/ |title=Holliday, Suzuki seeking All-Star push |website=MLB.com |date=May 27, 2009 |access-date=February 16, 2015}}</ref> and, from May 11 until the [[St. Louis Cardinals]] acquired him, improved to .316, .420 on-base percentage and .489 slugging percentage over 65 games.<ref>{{cite web |last=Leach |first=Matthew |url=http://m.athletics.mlb.com/news/article/6030782/ |title=Cards land coveted big bat in Holliday |website=MLB.com |date=July 24, 2009 |access-date=February 16, 2015}}</ref> Reaching base five times in a May 17 loss to the [[2009 Detroit Tigers season|Detroit Tigers]] at [[Comerica Park]], he scored his first four-hit game and stolen base of the season.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/DET/DET200905170.shtml |title=Athletics (7) at Tigers (11) |website=Baseball-Reference.com |date=May 17, 2009 |access-date=February 19, 2015}}</ref> |
After spending most of the off-season on the trade market with the Rockies, Holliday was again a frequent subject of rumors during the spring. The Athletics failed to get off to a strong start<ref>{{cite news |last=Heyman |first=Jon |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/jon_heyman/06/03/what.everyone.needs/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090606190820/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/jon_heyman/06/03/what.everyone.needs/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 6, 2009 |publisher=CNN |title=Nobody's perfect: The early line on trade needs for the contenders |date=June 3, 2009 |access-date=May 12, 2010}}</ref> and it was unlikely the club would have been able to re-sign him over the course of the season or if he would have had become a [[free agent]] following the season.<ref>{{cite web |last=Urban |first=Mychael |url=http://m.athletics.mlb.com/news/article/3676008/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217052725/http://m.athletics.mlb.com/news/article/3676008/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 17, 2015 |title=Holliday bringing big bat to Oakland |website=MLB.com |date=November 12, 2008 |access-date=February 16, 2015}}</ref> He also got off a slow start as minor injuries hampered him while playing in Oakland.<ref name=injuries>{{cite web |last=Urban |first=Mychael |url=http://m.athletics.mlb.com/news/article/5270166/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217063229/http://m.athletics.mlb.com/news/article/5270166/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 17, 2015 |title=Holliday playing through pain |website=MLB.com |date=June 11, 2009 |access-date=February 16, 2015}}</ref> His first home run of the season came on the last day of April against the [[2009 Texas Rangers season|Texas Rangers]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Wills |first=Todd |url=http://m.athletics.mlb.com/news/article/4498368/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150219231031/http://m.athletics.mlb.com/news/article/4498368/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 19, 2015 |title=Heist in Texas: Sweeney's stab seals win |publisher=athletics.mlb.com |date=April 30, 2009 |access-date=February 19, 2015}}</ref> He batted .240 in April,<ref name=may2009>{{cite web |last=Urban |first=Mychael |url=http://m.athletics.mlb.com/news/article/4965338/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217063808/http://m.athletics.mlb.com/news/article/4965338/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 17, 2015 |title=Holliday, Suzuki seeking All-Star push |website=MLB.com |date=May 27, 2009 |access-date=February 16, 2015}}</ref> and, from May 11 until the [[St. Louis Cardinals]] acquired him, improved to .316, .420 on-base percentage and .489 slugging percentage over 65 games.<ref>{{cite web |last=Leach |first=Matthew |url=http://m.athletics.mlb.com/news/article/6030782/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217072609/http://m.athletics.mlb.com/news/article/6030782/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 17, 2015 |title=Cards land coveted big bat in Holliday |website=MLB.com |date=July 24, 2009 |access-date=February 16, 2015}}</ref> Reaching base five times in a May 17 loss to the [[2009 Detroit Tigers season|Detroit Tigers]] at [[Comerica Park]], he scored his first four-hit game and stolen base of the season.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/DET/DET200905170.shtml |title=Athletics (7) at Tigers (11) |website=Baseball-Reference.com |date=May 17, 2009 |access-date=February 19, 2015}}</ref> |
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The A's defeated the [[2009 Minnesota Twins season|Minnesota Twins]] 14–13 on July 20 following a 10-run comeback, the largest in team history. Holliday contributed two home runs and six RBI, including a seventh-inning grand slam that tied the score at 13. This game marked the second time in his career in which he hit a grand slam plus another home run in his team's record-breaking comeback.<ref name=tenruncomeback>{{cite web |last=Loberstein |first=Adam |url=http://m.athletics.mlb.com/news/article/5970030/ |title=A's rally from 10 down to sink Twins |publisher=athletics.mlb.com |date=July 21, 2009 |access-date=February 19, 2015}}</ref> The first such comeback had occurred with the Rockies the previous year, on July 4, against the Marlins.<ref name=nineruncomeback/> Two days later, he added three more hits and three runs scored against the Twins in a 16–1 victory.<ref>{{cite web |last=Loberstein |first=Adam |url=http://m.athletics.mlb.com/news/article/5994848/ |title=Cahill cruises behind offensive surge |publisher=athletics.mlb.com |date=July 22, 2009 |access-date=February 19, 2015}}</ref> An offensive surge that boosted his trade value significantly by hitting .390 with a .422 on-base percentage and a .756 slugging percentage in his final two weeks in Oakland. His overall totals with the club included 93 games played while batting .286 with 11 home runs and 54 RBI.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Keith |first=Ted |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/ted_keith/07/24/holliday.react/index.html |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=July 24, 2009 |title=Holliday should provide much needed protection for Pujols}}</ref> |
The A's defeated the [[2009 Minnesota Twins season|Minnesota Twins]] 14–13 on July 20 following a 10-run comeback, the largest in team history. Holliday contributed two home runs and six RBI, including a seventh-inning grand slam that tied the score at 13. This game marked the second time in his career in which he hit a grand slam plus another home run in his team's record-breaking comeback.<ref name=tenruncomeback>{{cite web |last=Loberstein |first=Adam |url=http://m.athletics.mlb.com/news/article/5970030/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150219200716/http://m.athletics.mlb.com/news/article/5970030/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 19, 2015 |title=A's rally from 10 down to sink Twins |publisher=athletics.mlb.com |date=July 21, 2009 |access-date=February 19, 2015}}</ref> The first such comeback had occurred with the Rockies the previous year, on July 4, against the Marlins.<ref name=nineruncomeback/> Two days later, he added three more hits and three runs scored against the Twins in a 16–1 victory.<ref>{{cite web |last=Loberstein |first=Adam |url=http://m.athletics.mlb.com/news/article/5994848/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150219231606/http://m.athletics.mlb.com/news/article/5994848/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 19, 2015 |title=Cahill cruises behind offensive surge |publisher=athletics.mlb.com |date=July 22, 2009 |access-date=February 19, 2015}}</ref> An offensive surge that boosted his trade value significantly by hitting .390 with a .422 on-base percentage and a .756 slugging percentage in his final two weeks in Oakland. His overall totals with the club included 93 games played while batting .286 with 11 home runs and 54 RBI.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Keith |first=Ted |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/ted_keith/07/24/holliday.react/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090727075110/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/ted_keith/07/24/holliday.react/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 27, 2009 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=July 24, 2009 |title=Holliday should provide much needed protection for Pujols}}</ref> |
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===St. Louis Cardinals (2009–2016)=== |
===St. Louis Cardinals (2009–2016)=== |
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====2009–10: Second playoff push and new contract==== |
====2009–10: Second playoff push and new contract==== |
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On July 24, 2009, the A's traded Holliday to the [[2009 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis Cardinals]] for prospects [[Brett Wallace]], [[Clayton Mortensen]] and [[Shane Peterson]]<ref>{{cite web |last=Leach |first=Matthew |url=http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090724&content_id=6030782&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl |title=Cardinals acquire Holliday from A's |website=St. Louis Cardinals|publisher=MLB |access-date=December 10, 2012}}</ref> and $1.5 million.<ref>{{cite web |last=Fensom |first=Michael |url=http://www.nj.com/yankees/index.ssf/2009/07/oakland_as_trade_slugger_matt.html |title=Oakland A's trade slugger Matt Holliday to St. Louis Cardinals, according to report |work=[[The Star-Ledger]] |date=July 24, 2009 |access-date=August 7, 2014}}</ref> He represented an instant offensive upgrade for the Cardinals in left field, where players had batted .212 with a .294 on-base percentage and a .342 slugging percentage in 2009.<ref name=bigbattrade>{{cite web |last=Leach |first=Matthew |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090724&content_id=6030782&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |title=Cards land coveted big bat in Holliday |website=MLB.com |date=July 24, 2009 |access-date=December 10, 2012}}</ref> He hit in the fourth slot in the lineup behind All-Star [[first baseman]] [[Albert Pujols]].<ref name=facontract>{{cite news |agency=ESPN new services |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=4799313 |title=Holliday re-signing with Cardinals |work=ESPN.com |date=January 10, 2010 |access-date=February 15, 2015}}</ref> Because Pujols already wore [[Uniform number (Major League Baseball)|jersey number]] 5, the number Holliday wore with Colorado and Oakland, St. Louis issued Holliday the number 15.<ref name=bigbattrade/> |
On July 24, 2009, the A's traded Holliday to the [[2009 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis Cardinals]] for prospects [[Brett Wallace]], [[Clayton Mortensen]] and [[Shane Peterson]]<ref>{{cite web |last=Leach |first=Matthew |url=http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090724&content_id=6030782&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090726234029/http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090724&content_id=6030782&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 26, 2009 |title=Cardinals acquire Holliday from A's |website=St. Louis Cardinals|publisher=MLB |access-date=December 10, 2012}}</ref> and $1.5 million.<ref>{{cite web |last=Fensom |first=Michael |url=http://www.nj.com/yankees/index.ssf/2009/07/oakland_as_trade_slugger_matt.html |title=Oakland A's trade slugger Matt Holliday to St. Louis Cardinals, according to report |work=[[The Star-Ledger]] |date=July 24, 2009 |access-date=August 7, 2014}}</ref> He represented an instant offensive upgrade for the Cardinals in left field, where players had batted .212 with a .294 on-base percentage and a .342 slugging percentage in 2009.<ref name=bigbattrade>{{cite web |last=Leach |first=Matthew |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090724&content_id=6030782&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |title=Cards land coveted big bat in Holliday |website=MLB.com |date=July 24, 2009 |access-date=December 10, 2012}}</ref> He hit in the fourth slot in the lineup behind All-Star [[first baseman]] [[Albert Pujols]].<ref name=facontract>{{cite news |agency=ESPN new services |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=4799313 |title=Holliday re-signing with Cardinals |work=ESPN.com |date=January 10, 2010 |access-date=February 15, 2015}}</ref> Because Pujols already wore [[Uniform number (Major League Baseball)|jersey number]] 5, the number Holliday wore with Colorado and Oakland, St. Louis issued Holliday the number 15.<ref name=bigbattrade/> |
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[[File:Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday 2009.jpg|left|thumb|[[Albert Pujols]] ''(left)'' congratulating Holliday]] |
[[File:Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday 2009.jpg|left|thumb|[[Albert Pujols]] ''(left)'' congratulating Holliday]] |
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In his Cardinals debut, Holliday had four hits, an RBI and a stolen base in an 8–1 win, for his 15th career four-hit game.<ref>{{cite news |last=Maaddi |first=Rob |agency=Associated Press |url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2009/jul/25/bbn-cardinals-phillies-rdp-072509/ |title=Holliday gets 4 hits in Cardinals' 8-1 win |work=[[U-T San Diego]] |date=July 25, 2009 |access-date=February 14, 2015}}</ref> He had 20 hits in 33 at bats in his next nine games for a .606 batting average, .659 on-base percentage and 1.061 slugging percentage, with six doubles, three homers and 10 RBI.<ref>{{cite web |last=Miklasz |first=Bernie |author-link=Bernie Miklasz |url=http://newsok.com/stillwaters-matt-holliday-is-a-big-hit-with-the-cardinals/article/3389956 |title=Stillwater's Matt Holliday is a big hit with the Cardinals |work=The Oklahoman (from St. Louis Post-Dispatch) |date=August 2, 2009 |access-date=February 14, 2015}}</ref> His combined totals in 26 games with Oakland and St. Louis in July included 40 hits, 20 runs scored, a .412 batting average, a .487 on-base percentage, a .612 slugging percentage, 13 doubles, four home runs, 22 RBI, 16 walks and four stolen bases.<ref name=2009splits>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=hollima01&year=2009&t=b |title=Matt Holliday 2009 batting splits |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=February 19, 2015}}</ref> The Cardinals had a 20–6 record in August to stretch a [[National League Central]] division lead from a half-game on August 1 to ten on September 1.<ref name=toughfinish>{{cite web |url=http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091221&content_id=7840068&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl |publisher=stLouis.cardinals.mlb.com |access-date=December 26, 2009 |date=December 26, 2009 |title=Tough finish can't mar Cards' great '09 |last=Leach |first=Matthew}}</ref> In the third inning against the [[2009 Milwaukee Brewers season|Milwaukee Brewers]] on September 3, Holliday collected his 1,000th MLB hit.<ref>{{cite web |last=Rains |first=B. J. |url=http://m.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/6774856/ |title=Cards unable to come back |website=MLB.com |date=September 3, 2009 |access-date=February 15, 2015}}</ref> |
In his Cardinals debut, Holliday had four hits, an RBI and a stolen base in an 8–1 win, for his 15th career four-hit game.<ref>{{cite news |last=Maaddi |first=Rob |agency=Associated Press |url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2009/jul/25/bbn-cardinals-phillies-rdp-072509/ |title=Holliday gets 4 hits in Cardinals' 8-1 win |work=[[U-T San Diego]] |date=July 25, 2009 |access-date=February 14, 2015}}</ref> He had 20 hits in 33 at bats in his next nine games for a .606 batting average, .659 on-base percentage and 1.061 slugging percentage, with six doubles, three homers and 10 RBI.<ref>{{cite web |last=Miklasz |first=Bernie |author-link=Bernie Miklasz |url=http://newsok.com/stillwaters-matt-holliday-is-a-big-hit-with-the-cardinals/article/3389956 |title=Stillwater's Matt Holliday is a big hit with the Cardinals |work=The Oklahoman (from St. Louis Post-Dispatch) |date=August 2, 2009 |access-date=February 14, 2015}}</ref> His combined totals in 26 games with Oakland and St. Louis in July included 40 hits, 20 runs scored, a .412 batting average, a .487 on-base percentage, a .612 slugging percentage, 13 doubles, four home runs, 22 RBI, 16 walks and four stolen bases.<ref name=2009splits>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=hollima01&year=2009&t=b |title=Matt Holliday 2009 batting splits |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=February 19, 2015}}</ref> The Cardinals had a 20–6 record in August to stretch a [[National League Central]] division lead from a half-game on August 1 to ten on September 1.<ref name=toughfinish>{{cite web |url=http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091221&content_id=7840068&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100114172104/http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091221&content_id=7840068&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 14, 2010 |publisher=stLouis.cardinals.mlb.com |access-date=December 26, 2009 |date=December 26, 2009 |title=Tough finish can't mar Cards' great '09 |last=Leach |first=Matthew}}</ref> In the third inning against the [[2009 Milwaukee Brewers season|Milwaukee Brewers]] on September 3, Holliday collected his 1,000th MLB hit.<ref>{{cite web |last=Rains |first=B. J. |url=http://m.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/6774856/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216031033/http://m.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/6774856/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 16, 2015 |title=Cards unable to come back |website=MLB.com |date=September 3, 2009 |access-date=February 15, 2015}}</ref> |
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The Cardinals won the National League Central division crown to claim a playoff berth for the first time in three years.<ref name=toughfinish/> During the 65 games with Holliday on the roster, they had an NL-best .600 [[winning percentage]]; he batted .353 with 13 home runs and 55 RBI; twelve were game-winning RBI. After the [[2009 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] break, he ranked in the top ten in MLB in batting average (.357), home runs (16), and RBI (66).<ref name="2009bio">{{cite web |title=Matt Holliday stats, video highlights, photos, bio (2009 highlights) |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=407812#gameType='R'§ionType=career&statType=1&season=2014&level='ALL' |access-date=February 15, 2015 |website=MLB.com}}</ref> His aggregate totals with the A's and Cardinals included a .313 batting average, 24 home runs and 109 RBI.<ref name=facontract/> |
The Cardinals won the National League Central division crown to claim a playoff berth for the first time in three years.<ref name=toughfinish/> During the 65 games with Holliday on the roster, they had an NL-best .600 [[winning percentage]]; he batted .353 with 13 home runs and 55 RBI; twelve were game-winning RBI. After the [[2009 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] break, he ranked in the top ten in MLB in batting average (.357), home runs (16), and RBI (66).<ref name="2009bio">{{cite web |title=Matt Holliday stats, video highlights, photos, bio (2009 highlights) |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=407812#gameType='R'§ionType=career&statType=1&season=2014&level='ALL' |access-date=February 15, 2015 |website=MLB.com}}</ref> His aggregate totals with the A's and Cardinals included a .313 batting average, 24 home runs and 109 RBI.<ref name=facontract/> |
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In spite of the inspired play after acquiring Holliday, the Cardinals did not fare well in the postseason, where they battled the [[2009 Los Angeles Dodgers season|Dodgers]] in the [[2009 National League Division Series|NLDS]]. Following a Game 1 defeat, Holliday hit a go-ahead home run off [[Starting pitcher|starter]] [[Clayton Kershaw]] in Game 2.<ref>{{cite web |last=Leach |first=Matthew |url=http://m.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/7409048/ |title=Miscue doesn't diminish Holliday's value |website=MLB.com |date=October 9, 2009 |access-date=February 15, 2015}}</ref> With the Cardinals maintaining a 2–1 advantage and two outs in the ninth inning, Holliday dropped a line drive off [[James Loney]]'s bat. Had he caught the ball, that play would have ended the contest for a Cardinals win and a 1–1 Series tie. Instead, Loney ended up on second base, setting the Dodgers up to eventually score the game-winning run for a 3–2 final margin.<ref name=leach100809>{{cite web |last=Leach |first=Matthew |url=http://m.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/7396558/ |title=Wainwright's gem spoiled in errant ninth |website=MLB.com |date=October 8, 2009 |access-date=February 15, 2015}}</ref> Los Angeles swept the best-of-five series, ending the Cardinals' season,<ref name="toughfinish"/> and the Game 2 error left Holliday with a reputation as a "goat."<ref name=facontract/><ref>{{cite web |last=Newman |first=Mark |url=http://m.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/7404894/ |title=Holliday takes place in long line of 'goats' |website=MLB.com |date=October 8, 2009 |access-date=February 15, 2015}}</ref><ref name=spot>{{cite web |last=Miklasz |first=Bernie |url=http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/bernie-miklasz/bernie-matt-holliday-on-the-spot/article_3568e4db-e7dc-5f22-b77a-591058dae665.html |title=Matt Holliday on the spot |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |date=October 1, 2014 |access-date=October 2, 2014}}</ref> |
In spite of the inspired play after acquiring Holliday, the Cardinals did not fare well in the postseason, where they battled the [[2009 Los Angeles Dodgers season|Dodgers]] in the [[2009 National League Division Series|NLDS]]. Following a Game 1 defeat, Holliday hit a go-ahead home run off [[Starting pitcher|starter]] [[Clayton Kershaw]] in Game 2.<ref>{{cite web |last=Leach |first=Matthew |url=http://m.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/7409048/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216030201/http://m.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/7409048/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 16, 2015 |title=Miscue doesn't diminish Holliday's value |website=MLB.com |date=October 9, 2009 |access-date=February 15, 2015}}</ref> With the Cardinals maintaining a 2–1 advantage and two outs in the ninth inning, Holliday dropped a line drive off [[James Loney]]'s bat. Had he caught the ball, that play would have ended the contest for a Cardinals win and a 1–1 Series tie. Instead, Loney ended up on second base, setting the Dodgers up to eventually score the game-winning run for a 3–2 final margin.<ref name=leach100809>{{cite web |last=Leach |first=Matthew |url=http://m.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/7396558/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216025214/http://m.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/7396558/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 16, 2015 |title=Wainwright's gem spoiled in errant ninth |website=MLB.com |date=October 8, 2009 |access-date=February 15, 2015}}</ref> Los Angeles swept the best-of-five series, ending the Cardinals' season,<ref name="toughfinish"/> and the Game 2 error left Holliday with a reputation as a "goat."<ref name=facontract/><ref>{{cite web |last=Newman |first=Mark |url=http://m.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/7404894/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216025626/http://m.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/7404894/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 16, 2015 |title=Holliday takes place in long line of 'goats' |website=MLB.com |date=October 8, 2009 |access-date=February 15, 2015}}</ref><ref name=spot>{{cite web |last=Miklasz |first=Bernie |url=http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/bernie-miklasz/bernie-matt-holliday-on-the-spot/article_3568e4db-e7dc-5f22-b77a-591058dae665.html |title=Matt Holliday on the spot |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |date=October 1, 2014 |access-date=October 2, 2014}}</ref> |
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Holliday filed for [[Free agent|free agency]] on November 5.<ref>{{cite web |last=Leach |first=Matthew |url=http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091105&content_id=7628926&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl |title=Seven Cards file for free agency |website=St. Louis Cardinals|publisher=MLB |date=November 5, 2009 |access-date=December 10, 2012}}</ref> He finished 16th in the NL MVP voting – including a fourth-place vote – despite playing nearly 100 games in the [[American League]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bbwaa.com/2009/11/2009-nl-mvp/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091128023721/http://bbwaa.com/2009/11/2009-nl-mvp/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 28, 2009 |title=It's unanimous: Cardinals' Albert Pujols wins again |publisher=[[Baseball Writers' Association of America]] |date=November 24, 2009 |access-date=February 22, 2015 }}</ref> Both trades involving Holliday were later panned as failures for the A's, as two of the players they dealt away became multiple All-Stars.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kawakami |first=Tim |url=http://blogs.mercurynews.com/kawakami/2013/06/18/as-all-bad-decision-team-from-2002-to-now-loaiza-holliday-eric-chavez-for-66m-ginter-and-more/ |title=A's All-Bad Decision team, from 2002-to-now: Loaiza, Holliday, Eric Chavez for $66M, Ginter, and more |publisher=blogs.mercurynews.com |work=[[San Jose Mercury News]] |date=June 18, 2013 |access-date=March 9, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Bailey |first=Mike |url=http://www.kmov.com/sports/best-cardinal-trades-212768051.html |title=Bargains for the Birds: Best trades in Cardinal history |publisher=KMOV.com |date=June 24, 2013 |access-date=March 9, 2015}}</ref> One was González, who won the 2010 batting title, Silver Slugger and [[Rawlings Gold Glove Award|Gold Glove Award]]s with the Rockies.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Shpigel |first1=Ben |last2=Schmidt |first2=Michael |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/05/sports/baseball/05base.html?_r=0 |title=Rockies continue to invest in future |work=The New York Times |date=January 4, 2011 |access-date=March 5, 2015}}</ref> Street was the other All-Star.<ref>{{cite news |last=Paris |first=Jay |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=mlb&id=11234814 |title=Angels acquire closer Huston Street from Padres |work=ESPN.com |date=July 19, 2014 |access-date=March 7, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Haakenson |first=Joe |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2014/09/19/huston-street-inspired-by-his-dad-a-former-college-qb-who-died-last-year/15928043/ |title=Angels' Huston Street on his dad: 'He's my hero' |work=USA Today |date=September 19, 2014 |access-date=March 7, 2015}}</ref> Jesse Spector of ''Sporting News'' augured that the second deal was a "landslide win" for the Cardinals, even if they had never resigned Holliday in his free agency.<ref name=2009winners>{{cite web |last=Spector |first=Jesse |url=http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2014-07-24/mlb-trade-rumors-deadline-matt-holliday-jake-peavy-victor-martinez-tigers-red-sox-yankees-white-sox |title=MLB trade deadline: Winners and losers, 2009 edition |work=Sporting News |date=July 24, 2014 |access-date=March 7, 2015}}</ref> |
Holliday filed for [[Free agent|free agency]] on November 5.<ref>{{cite web |last=Leach |first=Matthew |url=http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091105&content_id=7628926&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091109114947/http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091105&content_id=7628926&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 9, 2009 |title=Seven Cards file for free agency |website=St. Louis Cardinals|publisher=MLB |date=November 5, 2009 |access-date=December 10, 2012}}</ref> He finished 16th in the NL MVP voting – including a fourth-place vote – despite playing nearly 100 games in the [[American League]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bbwaa.com/2009/11/2009-nl-mvp/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091128023721/http://bbwaa.com/2009/11/2009-nl-mvp/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 28, 2009 |title=It's unanimous: Cardinals' Albert Pujols wins again |publisher=[[Baseball Writers' Association of America]] |date=November 24, 2009 |access-date=February 22, 2015 }}</ref> Both trades involving Holliday were later panned as failures for the A's, as two of the players they dealt away became multiple All-Stars.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kawakami |first=Tim |url=http://blogs.mercurynews.com/kawakami/2013/06/18/as-all-bad-decision-team-from-2002-to-now-loaiza-holliday-eric-chavez-for-66m-ginter-and-more/ |title=A's All-Bad Decision team, from 2002-to-now: Loaiza, Holliday, Eric Chavez for $66M, Ginter, and more |publisher=blogs.mercurynews.com |work=[[San Jose Mercury News]] |date=June 18, 2013 |access-date=March 9, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Bailey |first=Mike |url=http://www.kmov.com/sports/best-cardinal-trades-212768051.html |title=Bargains for the Birds: Best trades in Cardinal history |publisher=KMOV.com |date=June 24, 2013 |access-date=March 9, 2015}}</ref> One was González, who won the 2010 batting title, Silver Slugger and [[Rawlings Gold Glove Award|Gold Glove Award]]s with the Rockies.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Shpigel |first1=Ben |last2=Schmidt |first2=Michael |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/05/sports/baseball/05base.html?_r=0 |title=Rockies continue to invest in future |work=The New York Times |date=January 4, 2011 |access-date=March 5, 2015}}</ref> Street was the other All-Star.<ref>{{cite news |last=Paris |first=Jay |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=mlb&id=11234814 |title=Angels acquire closer Huston Street from Padres |work=ESPN.com |date=July 19, 2014 |access-date=March 7, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Haakenson |first=Joe |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2014/09/19/huston-street-inspired-by-his-dad-a-former-college-qb-who-died-last-year/15928043/ |title=Angels' Huston Street on his dad: 'He's my hero' |work=USA Today |date=September 19, 2014 |access-date=March 7, 2015}}</ref> Jesse Spector of ''Sporting News'' augured that the second deal was a "landslide win" for the Cardinals, even if they had never resigned Holliday in his free agency.<ref name=2009winners>{{cite web |last=Spector |first=Jesse |url=http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2014-07-24/mlb-trade-rumors-deadline-matt-holliday-jake-peavy-victor-martinez-tigers-red-sox-yankees-white-sox |title=MLB trade deadline: Winners and losers, 2009 edition |work=Sporting News |date=July 24, 2014 |access-date=March 7, 2015}}</ref> |
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[[File:MattHollidaySTL.jpg|thumb|Holliday on the field in 2009<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.cgi?id=hollima01&t=b&year=2009 |title=Matt Holliday 2009 batting game logs |work=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=June 8, 2015}}</ref>]] |
[[File:MattHollidaySTL.jpg|thumb|Holliday on the field in 2009<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.cgi?id=hollima01&t=b&year=2009 |title=Matt Holliday 2009 batting game logs |work=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=June 8, 2015}}</ref>]] |
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On January 21, [[2010 St. Louis Cardinals season|2010]], the Cardinals signed Holliday to a seven-year, $120 million deal (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|120|2010|r=1}}}} million today), and he switched his uniform number to 7 in honor of fellow Oklahoman [[Mickey Mantle]]. The contract features a full [[no-trade clause]] and a $17 million team option for 2017 or $1 million [[buyout]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Leach |first=Matthew |url=http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100107&content_id=7886746&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl |title=Cardinals set to introduce Holliday: Slugger to meet the media after signing seven-year deal |publisher=MLB|date=January 7, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |url=http://www.ksdk.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=193237&catid=3 |title=Matt Holliday, St. Louis Cardinals finalize $120 million deal |publisher=[[KSDK]].com |date=January 7, 2010}}</ref> It was the richest contract in team history<ref name=facontract/> and the largest of the 2009–10 offseason.<ref>{{cite web |last=Fallstrom |first=R. B. |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/05/matt-holliday-cardinals-r_n_412357.html |title=Matt Holliday, Cardinals reach mega-deal: seven years, $120 million |work=[[The Huffington Post]] |date=March 18, 2010 |access-date=February 22, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Olney |first=Buster |author-link=Buster Olney |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=4811170 |title=Plenty of incentives for Holliday |publisher=ESPN|date=January 10, 2010 |access-date=July 26, 2014}}</ref> At the Cardinals' annual Winter Warm Up, he was bestowed with a new nickname—"The Stillwater Stinger".<ref>{{cite web |last=Goold |first=Derrick |url=http://www.stltoday.com/sports/article_163f9d3c-28a8-5392-a41d-32c85555d9b7.html |title=Holliday is in 7th heaven Cardinals outfielder enjoys Warm-Up, speaks about McGwire's influence on him. |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |date=January 18, 2010 |access-date=December 10, 2012}}</ref> |
On January 21, [[2010 St. Louis Cardinals season|2010]], the Cardinals signed Holliday to a seven-year, $120 million deal (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|120|2010|r=1}}}} million today), and he switched his uniform number to 7 in honor of fellow Oklahoman [[Mickey Mantle]]. The contract features a full [[no-trade clause]] and a $17 million team option for 2017 or $1 million [[buyout]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Leach |first=Matthew |url=http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100107&content_id=7886746&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100110055740/http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100107&content_id=7886746&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 10, 2010 |title=Cardinals set to introduce Holliday: Slugger to meet the media after signing seven-year deal |publisher=MLB|date=January 7, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |url=http://www.ksdk.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=193237&catid=3 |title=Matt Holliday, St. Louis Cardinals finalize $120 million deal |publisher=[[KSDK]].com |date=January 7, 2010}}</ref> It was the richest contract in team history<ref name=facontract/> and the largest of the 2009–10 offseason.<ref>{{cite web |last=Fallstrom |first=R. B. |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/05/matt-holliday-cardinals-r_n_412357.html |title=Matt Holliday, Cardinals reach mega-deal: seven years, $120 million |work=[[The Huffington Post]] |date=March 18, 2010 |access-date=February 22, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Olney |first=Buster |author-link=Buster Olney |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=4811170 |title=Plenty of incentives for Holliday |publisher=ESPN|date=January 10, 2010 |access-date=July 26, 2014}}</ref> At the Cardinals' annual Winter Warm Up, he was bestowed with a new nickname—"The Stillwater Stinger".<ref>{{cite web |last=Goold |first=Derrick |url=http://www.stltoday.com/sports/article_163f9d3c-28a8-5392-a41d-32c85555d9b7.html |title=Holliday is in 7th heaven Cardinals outfielder enjoys Warm-Up, speaks about McGwire's influence on him. |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |date=January 18, 2010 |access-date=December 10, 2012}}</ref> |
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Batting second, Holliday homered in four consecutive games from June 18 to 22. In a weekend series against [[2010 Oakland Athletics season|Oakland]] from June 18 to 20, he drove in eight of the Cardinals' 12 runs. He was named the National League Player of the Week for June 20, batting .435 with four home runs and eight RBI.<ref name=2010bio>{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=407812#gameType='R'§ionType=career&statType=1&season=2014&level='ALL' |title=Matt Holliday stats, video highlights, photos, bio (2010 highlights) |website=MLB.com |access-date=February 14, 2015}}</ref> Selected to the [[2010 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star Game]] on July 4 as a reserve player, he also participated in the [[Home Run Derby]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Leach |first=Matthew |url=http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100712&content_id=12222000&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl |title=All-Star Game bonding experience for Cards |website=[[MLB.com]] |date=July 12, 2010 |access-date= July 12, 2010}}</ref> In the 10 games against both his former clubs, he batted .487, seven home runs, 13 RBI and nine runs scored. He batted .431 in a 16-game hitting streak from September 9–24. His .364 average for September and October ranked second in the NL.<ref name=2010bio/> |
Batting second, Holliday homered in four consecutive games from June 18 to 22. In a weekend series against [[2010 Oakland Athletics season|Oakland]] from June 18 to 20, he drove in eight of the Cardinals' 12 runs. He was named the National League Player of the Week for June 20, batting .435 with four home runs and eight RBI.<ref name=2010bio>{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=407812#gameType='R'§ionType=career&statType=1&season=2014&level='ALL' |title=Matt Holliday stats, video highlights, photos, bio (2010 highlights) |website=MLB.com |access-date=February 14, 2015}}</ref> Selected to the [[2010 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star Game]] on July 4 as a reserve player, he also participated in the [[Home Run Derby]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Leach |first=Matthew |url=http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100712&content_id=12222000&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100715052825/http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100712&content_id=12222000&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 15, 2010 |title=All-Star Game bonding experience for Cards |website=[[MLB.com]] |date=July 12, 2010 |access-date= July 12, 2010}}</ref> In the 10 games against both his former clubs, he batted .487, seven home runs, 13 RBI and nine runs scored. He batted .431 in a 16-game hitting streak from September 9–24. His .364 average for September and October ranked second in the NL.<ref name=2010bio/> |
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For the season, Holliday played in 158 games, batting .312 with 186 hits, 45 doubles, 28 home runs, 103 RBI, 95 runs scored, 69 walks, a .390 on-base percentage and .532 slugging percentage. He finished tied for second in the National League in doubles, third in hits, fourth with 317 total bases and 52 multi-hit games, fifth in batting average, sixth in on-base percentage and extra base hits with 74, and seventh in slugging and RBI.<ref name=2010bio/> He earned another Silver Slugger award, was named to ''The Sporting News'' All-Star Team and placed 12th in the NL MVP voting.<ref name=2010bio/> The St. Louis chapter of the [[Baseball Writers' Association of America]] recognized his charitable work and role as a team leader with the [[Darryl Kile Award|Darryl Kile Good Guy Award]].<ref name=kileaward>{{cite web |last=Goold |first=Derrick |url=http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/holliday-puts-down-roots-in-st-louis/article_6cceac48-1816-5ca7-a123-e7a0cbfe93d6.html |title=Holliday puts down roots in St. Louis |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |date=January 12, 2011 |access-date=February 22, 2015}}</ref> |
For the season, Holliday played in 158 games, batting .312 with 186 hits, 45 doubles, 28 home runs, 103 RBI, 95 runs scored, 69 walks, a .390 on-base percentage and .532 slugging percentage. He finished tied for second in the National League in doubles, third in hits, fourth with 317 total bases and 52 multi-hit games, fifth in batting average, sixth in on-base percentage and extra base hits with 74, and seventh in slugging and RBI.<ref name=2010bio/> He earned another Silver Slugger award, was named to ''The Sporting News'' All-Star Team and placed 12th in the NL MVP voting.<ref name=2010bio/> The St. Louis chapter of the [[Baseball Writers' Association of America]] recognized his charitable work and role as a team leader with the [[Darryl Kile Award|Darryl Kile Good Guy Award]].<ref name=kileaward>{{cite web |last=Goold |first=Derrick |url=http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/holliday-puts-down-roots-in-st-louis/article_6cceac48-1816-5ca7-a123-e7a0cbfe93d6.html |title=Holliday puts down roots in St. Louis |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |date=January 12, 2011 |access-date=February 22, 2015}}</ref> |
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====2011–13: First World Series championship, three consecutive NLCS appearances==== |
====2011–13: First World Series championship, three consecutive NLCS appearances==== |
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[[File:2011 Home Run Derby - Round 1 - Matt Holliday.jpg|220px|thumb|left|Holliday during the [[2011 Home Run Derby]]]] |
[[File:2011 Home Run Derby - Round 1 - Matt Holliday.jpg|220px|thumb|left|Holliday during the [[2011 Home Run Derby]]]] |
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After hitting a home run the day before on [[Opening Day]] of [[2011 St. Louis Cardinals season|2011]], Holliday had an emergency [[appendectomy]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Strauss |first=Joe |url=http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/cardinal-beat/article_332f9d6a-5c89-11e0-a54e-0019bb30f31a.html |title=Matt Holliday has appendectomy |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |date=April 1, 2011 |access-date=December 10, 2012}}</ref> He returned just nine days later despite a forecast to miss four to six weeks.<ref>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |url=http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/Matt-Holliday-returns-to-St-Louis-Cardinals-lineup-041011 |title=Matt Holliday returns to St. Louis Cardinals lineup |work=Fox Sports |date=April 10, 2011 |access-date=December 10, 2012}}</ref> In seven consecutive plate appearances against the [[2011 Houston Astros season|Houston Astros]] on April 26 and 27, he reached base and<ref name=2011bio>{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=407812#gameType='R'§ionType=career&statType=1&season=2014&level='ALL' |title=Matt Holliday stats, video highlights, photos, bio (2011 highlights) |website=MLB.com |access-date=February 15, 2015}}</ref> did so in 10 of 15 plate appearances in that series.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://m.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/18371228/ |title=Holliday off to scintillating start at plate |website=St. Louis Cardinals|publisher=MLB |date=April 28, 2011 |access-date=February 15, 2015}}</ref> He made his fifth [[2011 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|MLB All-Star Game]] appearance and third [[2011 Home Run Derby|Home Run Derby]].<ref name=2011as>{{cite web |title=All-Star Game Home Run Derby history |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/history/hr_derby.jsp |access-date=April 1, 2012}}</ref> After two appearances on the disabled list twice that season, a different "injury bug" struck Holliday in a late August game against the [[2011 Los Angeles Dodgers season|Dodgers]]. During the eighth inning, he left the game due to pain developing after a [[moth]] had lodged itself deep within his ear. Team trainers removed it without further incident.<ref>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/6886838/matt-holliday-st-louis-cardinals-exits-game-moth-gets-stuck-ear |title=Matt Holliday gets moth stuck in ear |work=ESPN.com |date=August 23, 2011 |access-date=July 28, 2014}}</ref> |
After hitting a home run the day before on [[Opening Day]] of [[2011 St. Louis Cardinals season|2011]], Holliday had an emergency [[appendectomy]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Strauss |first=Joe |url=http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/cardinal-beat/article_332f9d6a-5c89-11e0-a54e-0019bb30f31a.html |title=Matt Holliday has appendectomy |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |date=April 1, 2011 |access-date=December 10, 2012}}</ref> He returned just nine days later despite a forecast to miss four to six weeks.<ref>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |url=http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/Matt-Holliday-returns-to-St-Louis-Cardinals-lineup-041011 |title=Matt Holliday returns to St. Louis Cardinals lineup |work=Fox Sports |date=April 10, 2011 |access-date=December 10, 2012}}</ref> In seven consecutive plate appearances against the [[2011 Houston Astros season|Houston Astros]] on April 26 and 27, he reached base and<ref name=2011bio>{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=407812#gameType='R'§ionType=career&statType=1&season=2014&level='ALL' |title=Matt Holliday stats, video highlights, photos, bio (2011 highlights) |website=MLB.com |access-date=February 15, 2015}}</ref> did so in 10 of 15 plate appearances in that series.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://m.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/18371228/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216110619/http://m.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/18371228/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 16, 2015 |title=Holliday off to scintillating start at plate |website=St. Louis Cardinals|publisher=MLB |date=April 28, 2011 |access-date=February 15, 2015}}</ref> He made his fifth [[2011 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|MLB All-Star Game]] appearance and third [[2011 Home Run Derby|Home Run Derby]].<ref name=2011as>{{cite web |title=All-Star Game Home Run Derby history |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/history/hr_derby.jsp |access-date=April 1, 2012}}</ref> After two appearances on the disabled list twice that season, a different "injury bug" struck Holliday in a late August game against the [[2011 Los Angeles Dodgers season|Dodgers]]. During the eighth inning, he left the game due to pain developing after a [[moth]] had lodged itself deep within his ear. Team trainers removed it without further incident.<ref>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/6886838/matt-holliday-st-louis-cardinals-exits-game-moth-gets-stuck-ear |title=Matt Holliday gets moth stuck in ear |work=ESPN.com |date=August 23, 2011 |access-date=July 28, 2014}}</ref> |
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As of August 28, the Cardinals were {{frac|10|1|2}} games behind the [[2011 Atlanta Braves season|Braves]] for the wild card playoff berth with 28 left to play.<ref name=2011nlwc>{{cite news |last=Tierney |first=Mike |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/29/sports/baseball/braves-complete-collapse-in-13-inning-loss-to-phillies.html?_r=0 |title=Braves complete collapse in 13-inning loss to Phillies |work=The New York Times |date=September 29, 2011 |access-date=April 5, 2014}}</ref> In a September 1 contest against the [[2011 Milwaukee Brewers season|Brewers]], Holliday hit his 200th career home run, becoming the 300th player in MLB history to do so.<ref>{{cite web |last=Leach |first=Matthew |url=http://m.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/24082690/ |title=Holliday clubs 200th career home run |website=MLB.com |date=September 1, 2011 |access-date=February 15, 2015}}</ref> [[Tendonitis]] developed in his right hand on September 13, limiting him to three more starts the rest of the season.<ref name=2011bio/> St. Louis won 20 of their final 28 games, enabling them to overtake the Braves for the wild card position<ref>{{cite web |last=Hummel |first=Rick |author-link=Rick Hummel |url=http://www.stltoday.com/gallery/sports/baseball/professional/chris-carpenter-games-we-ll-never-forget/collection_f68337ea-0ff9-57e8-b8cb-49d763c8aa75.html#3 |title=9 Chris Carpenter games we'll never forget (6) |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch|date=November 20, 2013 |access-date=December 9, 2013}}</ref> in the last game of the regular season; it was the largest lead surrendered in MLB history with 28 games left to play.<ref name=2011nlwc/><ref>{{cite web |last=Miklasz |first=Bernie |url=http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/bernie-miklasz/bernie-la-russa-mozeliak-deserving-of-credit/article_ebca0a22-a51a-5ebf-a670-132a902845ad.html |title=La Russa, Mozeliak deserving of credit |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |date=September 30, 2011 |access-date=April 5, 2014}}</ref> In 124 games, Holliday batted .296 with 22 home runs, 75 RBI, 36 doubles, .388 on-base percentage, .525 slugging percentage, .912 OPS, and 151 OPS+, placing sixth in the NL in on-base percentage, seventh in OPS and OPS+ and ninth in doubles. |
As of August 28, the Cardinals were {{frac|10|1|2}} games behind the [[2011 Atlanta Braves season|Braves]] for the wild card playoff berth with 28 left to play.<ref name=2011nlwc>{{cite news |last=Tierney |first=Mike |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/29/sports/baseball/braves-complete-collapse-in-13-inning-loss-to-phillies.html?_r=0 |title=Braves complete collapse in 13-inning loss to Phillies |work=The New York Times |date=September 29, 2011 |access-date=April 5, 2014}}</ref> In a September 1 contest against the [[2011 Milwaukee Brewers season|Brewers]], Holliday hit his 200th career home run, becoming the 300th player in MLB history to do so.<ref>{{cite web |last=Leach |first=Matthew |url=http://m.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/24082690/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216101338/http://m.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/24082690/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 16, 2015 |title=Holliday clubs 200th career home run |website=MLB.com |date=September 1, 2011 |access-date=February 15, 2015}}</ref> [[Tendonitis]] developed in his right hand on September 13, limiting him to three more starts the rest of the season.<ref name=2011bio/> St. Louis won 20 of their final 28 games, enabling them to overtake the Braves for the wild card position<ref>{{cite web |last=Hummel |first=Rick |author-link=Rick Hummel |url=http://www.stltoday.com/gallery/sports/baseball/professional/chris-carpenter-games-we-ll-never-forget/collection_f68337ea-0ff9-57e8-b8cb-49d763c8aa75.html#3 |title=9 Chris Carpenter games we'll never forget (6) |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch|date=November 20, 2013 |access-date=December 9, 2013}}</ref> in the last game of the regular season; it was the largest lead surrendered in MLB history with 28 games left to play.<ref name=2011nlwc/><ref>{{cite web |last=Miklasz |first=Bernie |url=http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/bernie-miklasz/bernie-la-russa-mozeliak-deserving-of-credit/article_ebca0a22-a51a-5ebf-a670-132a902845ad.html |title=La Russa, Mozeliak deserving of credit |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |date=September 30, 2011 |access-date=April 5, 2014}}</ref> In 124 games, Holliday batted .296 with 22 home runs, 75 RBI, 36 doubles, .388 on-base percentage, .525 slugging percentage, .912 OPS, and 151 OPS+, placing sixth in the NL in on-base percentage, seventh in OPS and OPS+ and ninth in doubles. |
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In the [[2011 National League Division Series|NLDS]] against the Phillies, Holliday's tendonitis reemerged,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Leach |first1=Matthew |last2=Brock |first2=Corey |last3=Mink |first3=Nate |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111002&content_id=25448286¬ebook_id=25451122&vkey=notebook_stl&c_id=stl |title=Renewed soreness holds back Holliday |website=St. Louis Cardinals|publisher=MLB |date=October 2, 2011 |access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref> limiting him to start two of the five games in the series. He was in better health for the [[2011 National League Championship Series|NLCS]] against Milwaukee, batting .435 with 10 hits,<ref name=2011bio/> six runs scored, five RBI and a home run. The Cardinals defeated the Brewers,<ref name=spot/> advancing to the [[2011 World Series|World Series]]<ref name=2011NLCS>{{cite news |last=Kepner |first=Tyler |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/18/sports/baseball/for-st-louis-cardinals-nutty-way-to-win-dont-forget-squirrel.html?_r=0 |title=A gritty bullpen of fierce creatures |work=The New York Times |date=October 17, 2011 |access-date=March 22, 2015}}</ref> against the [[2011 Texas Rangers season|Texas Rangers]].<ref name=spot/> Holliday was injured again in Game 6 on a play diving into third base where catcher [[Mike Napoli]] and third baseman [[Adrián Beltré]] had picked him off,<ref>{{cite web |last=Gleeman |first=Aaron |url=http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/10/28/cardinals-remove-injured-matt-holliday-from-roster-allen-craig-to-start-game-7/ |title=Cardinals remove injured Matt Holliday from roster, Allen Craig to start Game 7 |publisher=NBC Sports Hardball Talk |date=October 28, 2011 |access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref> and the injury also kept him out of Game 7. The Cardinals won again and the Series, giving him his first [[World Series ring]].<ref name=ws2011>{{cite web |last=Miklasz |first=Bernie |url=http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/bernie-miklasz/bernie-cardinals-win-like-never-before/article_3aec789d-6d33-5997-a31b-360ace8bae63.html |title=Cardinals win like never before |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |date=October 29, 2011 |access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref> Although he had just three hits in 19 at bats, Holliday walked seven times – the most since Bonds' 13 in the [[2002 World Series]] — boosting his on-base percentage to .385 as he scored five runs.<ref name=2011bio/> |
In the [[2011 National League Division Series|NLDS]] against the Phillies, Holliday's tendonitis reemerged,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Leach |first1=Matthew |last2=Brock |first2=Corey |last3=Mink |first3=Nate |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111002&content_id=25448286¬ebook_id=25451122&vkey=notebook_stl&c_id=stl |title=Renewed soreness holds back Holliday |website=St. Louis Cardinals|publisher=MLB |date=October 2, 2011 |access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref> limiting him to start two of the five games in the series. He was in better health for the [[2011 National League Championship Series|NLCS]] against Milwaukee, batting .435 with 10 hits,<ref name=2011bio/> six runs scored, five RBI and a home run. The Cardinals defeated the Brewers,<ref name=spot/> advancing to the [[2011 World Series|World Series]]<ref name=2011NLCS>{{cite news |last=Kepner |first=Tyler |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/18/sports/baseball/for-st-louis-cardinals-nutty-way-to-win-dont-forget-squirrel.html?_r=0 |title=A gritty bullpen of fierce creatures |work=The New York Times |date=October 17, 2011 |access-date=March 22, 2015}}</ref> against the [[2011 Texas Rangers season|Texas Rangers]].<ref name=spot/> Holliday was injured again in Game 6 on a play diving into third base where catcher [[Mike Napoli]] and third baseman [[Adrián Beltré]] had picked him off,<ref>{{cite web |last=Gleeman |first=Aaron |url=http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/10/28/cardinals-remove-injured-matt-holliday-from-roster-allen-craig-to-start-game-7/ |title=Cardinals remove injured Matt Holliday from roster, Allen Craig to start Game 7 |publisher=NBC Sports Hardball Talk |date=October 28, 2011 |access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref> and the injury also kept him out of Game 7. The Cardinals won again and the Series, giving him his first [[World Series ring]].<ref name=ws2011>{{cite web |last=Miklasz |first=Bernie |url=http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/bernie-miklasz/bernie-cardinals-win-like-never-before/article_3aec789d-6d33-5997-a31b-360ace8bae63.html |title=Cardinals win like never before |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |date=October 29, 2011 |access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref> Although he had just three hits in 19 at bats, Holliday walked seven times – the most since Bonds' 13 in the [[2002 World Series]] — boosting his on-base percentage to .385 as he scored five runs.<ref name=2011bio/> |
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In 41 straight starts spanning from June 22 to August 8, [[2012 St. Louis Cardinals season|2012]], Holliday reached base.<ref name=2012bio>{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=407812#gameType='R'§ionType=career&statType=1&season=2014&level='ALL' |title=Matt Holliday stats, video highlights, photos, bio (2012 highlights) |website=MLB.com |access-date=February 27, 2015}}</ref> His 15-game hitting streak from June 27 to July 16 was a season-high for the club.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://m.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/35142630/ |title=Thigh contusion keeps Holliday out of Cards' lineup |website=St. Louis Cardinals |publisher=MLB |date=July 18, 2012 |access-date=February 27, 2015}}</ref> From June 16 to July 6, he batted .500 with 10 doubles, 17 runs scored, four home runs, and 21 RBI; his batting average, on-base percentage (.549) and slugging percentage (.824) each led MLB. Holliday was named the NL [[2012 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] team to replace teammate [[Yadier Molina]] when he went on the [[bereavement list]].<ref name=2012as>{{cite web |url=http://m.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/34604130/ |title=Holliday chosen to replace Molina on All-Star roster |website=St. Louis Cardinals |publisher=MLB |date=July 6, 2012 |access-date=February 27, 2015}}</ref> On July 21, Holliday hit the [http://m.mlb.com/stl/video/topic/8879106/v23185729/chcstl-holliday-crushes-469foot-homer-to-left/?c_id=stl longest home run] recorded to date at [[Busch Stadium]]. The ball traveled {{convert|469|ft|m}}, flying past the '[[Big Mac]] Land' sign into the second deck in left field.<ref name=buschhr>{{cite web |last=Langosch |first=Jenifer |url=http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2012_07_20_chnmlb_slnmlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=stl |title=Cards get to Dempster early to earn win in opener |website=MLB.com |date=July 21, 2012}}</ref> He held the record until [[Brandon Moss]] surpassed that distance four years later.<ref name=palmero063016>{{cite web |last=Palermo |first=Gregg |url=http://fox2now.com/2016/06/30/moss-makes-hr-history-at-busch-stadium-iii/ |title=Moss makes HR history at Busch Stadium III |website=www.fox2now.com |date=June 30, 2016 |access-date=July 2, 2016}}</ref> Safely hitting four times in five at bats on August 26 against [[2012 Cincinnati Reds season|Cincinnati]], he also had four RBI and missed [[hitting for the cycle]] by a home run.<ref>{{cite web |last=Clements |first=Mark |url=http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2012_08_26_slnmlb_cinmlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=stl |title=Cardinals roll over Reds, move closer in Central |website=St. Louis Cardinals|publisher=MLB |date=August 26, 2012 |access-date=February 27, 2015}}</ref> He singled in the first inning against the [[2012 Washington Nationals season|Nationals]] on August 30 for his 1,500th career hit.<ref>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/story/2012-08-30/bryce-harper-nationals-roll-by-cardinals/57460226/1 |title=Harper homers again as Nats roll by Cards |work=USA Today |date=August 31, 2012 |access-date=February 16, 2015}}</ref> Holliday finished the season with a .295 batting average with 27 home runs and 102 RBI.<ref name=buschhr/> |
In 41 straight starts spanning from June 22 to August 8, [[2012 St. Louis Cardinals season|2012]], Holliday reached base.<ref name=2012bio>{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=407812#gameType='R'§ionType=career&statType=1&season=2014&level='ALL' |title=Matt Holliday stats, video highlights, photos, bio (2012 highlights) |website=MLB.com |access-date=February 27, 2015}}</ref> His 15-game hitting streak from June 27 to July 16 was a season-high for the club.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://m.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/35142630/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117014135/http://m.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/35142630/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 17, 2015 |title=Thigh contusion keeps Holliday out of Cards' lineup |website=St. Louis Cardinals |publisher=MLB |date=July 18, 2012 |access-date=February 27, 2015}}</ref> From June 16 to July 6, he batted .500 with 10 doubles, 17 runs scored, four home runs, and 21 RBI; his batting average, on-base percentage (.549) and slugging percentage (.824) each led MLB. Holliday was named the NL [[2012 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] team to replace teammate [[Yadier Molina]] when he went on the [[bereavement list]].<ref name=2012as>{{cite web |url=http://m.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/34604130/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117014526/http://m.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/34604130/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 17, 2015 |title=Holliday chosen to replace Molina on All-Star roster |website=St. Louis Cardinals |publisher=MLB |date=July 6, 2012 |access-date=February 27, 2015}}</ref> On July 21, Holliday hit the [http://m.mlb.com/stl/video/topic/8879106/v23185729/chcstl-holliday-crushes-469foot-homer-to-left/?c_id=stl longest home run] recorded to date at [[Busch Stadium]]. The ball traveled {{convert|469|ft|m}}, flying past the '[[Big Mac]] Land' sign into the second deck in left field.<ref name=buschhr>{{cite web |last=Langosch |first=Jenifer |url=http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2012_07_20_chnmlb_slnmlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=stl |title=Cards get to Dempster early to earn win in opener |website=MLB.com |date=July 21, 2012}}{{dead link|date=October 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> He held the record until [[Brandon Moss]] surpassed that distance four years later.<ref name=palmero063016>{{cite web |last=Palermo |first=Gregg |url=http://fox2now.com/2016/06/30/moss-makes-hr-history-at-busch-stadium-iii/ |title=Moss makes HR history at Busch Stadium III |website=www.fox2now.com |date=June 30, 2016 |access-date=July 2, 2016}}</ref> Safely hitting four times in five at bats on August 26 against [[2012 Cincinnati Reds season|Cincinnati]], he also had four RBI and missed [[hitting for the cycle]] by a home run.<ref>{{cite web |last=Clements |first=Mark |url=http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2012_08_26_slnmlb_cinmlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=stl |title=Cardinals roll over Reds, move closer in Central |website=St. Louis Cardinals|publisher=MLB |date=August 26, 2012 |access-date=February 27, 2015}}{{dead link|date=October 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> He singled in the first inning against the [[2012 Washington Nationals season|Nationals]] on August 30 for his 1,500th career hit.<ref>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/story/2012-08-30/bryce-harper-nationals-roll-by-cardinals/57460226/1 |title=Harper homers again as Nats roll by Cards |work=USA Today |date=August 31, 2012 |access-date=February 16, 2015}}</ref> Holliday finished the season with a .295 batting average with 27 home runs and 102 RBI.<ref name=buschhr/> |
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During the [[2012 National League Championship Series|NLCS]] against the [[2012 San Francisco Giants season|Giants]] in Game 2, he slid into [[second baseman]] [[Marco Scutaro]] during a routine ground ball [[double play]] and ended up on top of him. Scutaro left the game to have [[x-ray]]s taken. Controversy arose and persisted as to whether Holliday intentionally attempted to injure him. The Giants trailed 1–0 at that point, but scored seven runs to win, 7–1.<ref>{{cite web |last=Stark |first=Jayson |author-link=Jayson Stark |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/playoffs/2012/story/_/id/8509760/marco-scutaro-matt-holliday-takeout-slide-alter-nlcs |title=A series-changing play? |work=ESPN.com |date=October 16, 2012 |access-date=August 8, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Brown |first=Tim |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/matt-holliday-s-slide-into-marco-scutaro-steams-giants--adds-sizzle-to-nlcs.html |title=Sliding scale: Matt Holliday's hard collision with Marco Scutaro steams Giants, heats up NLCS |work=Yahoo! Sports |date=October 16, 2014 |access-date=August 8, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=González |first=Antonio |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/16/matt-holliday-slide-marco-scutaro-injury-giants_n_1969469.html |title=Matt Holliday slide results in Marco Scutaro injury, fires up Giants in NLCS Game 2 (Video) |work=The Huffington Post |date=October 16, 2012 |access-date=August 8, 2014}}</ref> Eventually, the Giants won the series. The [[Missouri Athletic Club]] named Holliday their Sports Personality of the Year for 2012.<ref name=mainbio/> |
During the [[2012 National League Championship Series|NLCS]] against the [[2012 San Francisco Giants season|Giants]] in Game 2, he slid into [[second baseman]] [[Marco Scutaro]] during a routine ground ball [[double play]] and ended up on top of him. Scutaro left the game to have [[x-ray]]s taken. Controversy arose and persisted as to whether Holliday intentionally attempted to injure him. The Giants trailed 1–0 at that point, but scored seven runs to win, 7–1.<ref>{{cite web |last=Stark |first=Jayson |author-link=Jayson Stark |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/playoffs/2012/story/_/id/8509760/marco-scutaro-matt-holliday-takeout-slide-alter-nlcs |title=A series-changing play? |work=ESPN.com |date=October 16, 2012 |access-date=August 8, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Brown |first=Tim |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/matt-holliday-s-slide-into-marco-scutaro-steams-giants--adds-sizzle-to-nlcs.html |title=Sliding scale: Matt Holliday's hard collision with Marco Scutaro steams Giants, heats up NLCS |work=Yahoo! Sports |date=October 16, 2014 |access-date=August 8, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=González |first=Antonio |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/16/matt-holliday-slide-marco-scutaro-injury-giants_n_1969469.html |title=Matt Holliday slide results in Marco Scutaro injury, fires up Giants in NLCS Game 2 (Video) |work=The Huffington Post |date=October 16, 2012 |access-date=August 8, 2014}}</ref> Eventually, the Giants won the series. The [[Missouri Athletic Club]] named Holliday their Sports Personality of the Year for 2012.<ref name=mainbio/> |
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[[File:Matt Holliday, Jon Jay, Oscar Taveras (14901749993).jpg|thumb|left|Holliday with [[Jon Jay]] and [[Oscar Taveras]] at [[Oriole Park at Camden Yards]] in 2014]] |
[[File:Matt Holliday, Jon Jay, Oscar Taveras (14901749993).jpg|thumb|left|Holliday with [[Jon Jay]] and [[Oscar Taveras]] at [[Oriole Park at Camden Yards]] in 2014]] |
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By reaching base in each of his first 30 home games of [[2014 St. Louis Cardinals season|2014]], Holliday authored the longest such streak to start a season in franchise history since [[Solly Hemus]] had 33 straight in [[1953 St. Louis Cardinals season|1953]], extending a streak of 42 dating back to the previous September 6.<ref name=2014bio>{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=407812#gameType='R'§ionType=career&statType=1&season=2014&level='ALL' |title=Matt Holliday stats, video highlights, photos, bio (2014 highlights) |website=MLB.com |access-date=March 30, 2015}}</ref> He singled in [[Jon Jay]] to [[List of Major League Baseball career runs batted in leaders|drive in the 1,000th run]] of his career on June 17 at Busch Stadium against [[2014 Washington Nationals season|Washington]], the 277th player in MLB history to do so.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Langosch |first1=Jenifer |last2=Halsted |first2=Alex |url=http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140616&content_id=80119908¬ebook_id=80120720&vkey=notebook_stl&c_id=stl |title=Holliday collects 1,000th RBI with single |website=St. Louis Cardinals|publisher=MLB |date=June 16, 2014 |access-date=June 17, 2014}}</ref> While batting against [[Dan Haren]] of the [[2014 Los Angeles Dodgers season|Dodgers]] on July 19, Holliday hit his [[List of Major League Baseball career doubles leaders|400th career double]] and hit a {{convert|435|ft|m}} home run for his [[List of Major League Baseball career runs scored leaders|1,000th run scored]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Langosch |first=Jenifer |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/mlb/on-big-night-cardinals-slugger-matt-holliday-notches-pair-of-milestones?ymd=20140719&content_id=85217420&vkey=news_mlb |title=On big night, Holliday notches pair of milestones |website=MLB.com |date=July 19, 2014 |access-date=July 25, 2014}}</ref> |
By reaching base in each of his first 30 home games of [[2014 St. Louis Cardinals season|2014]], Holliday authored the longest such streak to start a season in franchise history since [[Solly Hemus]] had 33 straight in [[1953 St. Louis Cardinals season|1953]], extending a streak of 42 dating back to the previous September 6.<ref name=2014bio>{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=407812#gameType='R'§ionType=career&statType=1&season=2014&level='ALL' |title=Matt Holliday stats, video highlights, photos, bio (2014 highlights) |website=MLB.com |access-date=March 30, 2015}}</ref> He singled in [[Jon Jay]] to [[List of Major League Baseball career runs batted in leaders|drive in the 1,000th run]] of his career on June 17 at Busch Stadium against [[2014 Washington Nationals season|Washington]], the 277th player in MLB history to do so.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Langosch |first1=Jenifer |last2=Halsted |first2=Alex |url=http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140616&content_id=80119908¬ebook_id=80120720&vkey=notebook_stl&c_id=stl |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714224244/http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140616&content_id=80119908¬ebook_id=80120720&vkey=notebook_stl&c_id=stl |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |title=Holliday collects 1,000th RBI with single |website=St. Louis Cardinals|publisher=MLB |date=June 16, 2014 |access-date=June 17, 2014}}</ref> While batting against [[Dan Haren]] of the [[2014 Los Angeles Dodgers season|Dodgers]] on July 19, Holliday hit his [[List of Major League Baseball career doubles leaders|400th career double]] and hit a {{convert|435|ft|m}} home run for his [[List of Major League Baseball career runs scored leaders|1,000th run scored]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Langosch |first=Jenifer |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/mlb/on-big-night-cardinals-slugger-matt-holliday-notches-pair-of-milestones?ymd=20140719&content_id=85217420&vkey=news_mlb |title=On big night, Holliday notches pair of milestones |website=MLB.com |date=July 19, 2014 |access-date=July 25, 2014}}</ref> |
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The Arizona Fall League announced on July 20 that Holliday, along with fellow outfielder [[Carl Crawford]], were selected to their Hall of Fame.<ref name=aflhall/> For the week ending September 2, Holliday was the NL Player of the Week, following a major league-leading 13 RBI – four of which each won separate contests – and an NL-leading four home runs, .889 slugging percentage and 24 total bases while the Cardinals took over first place in the NL Central.<ref name=pow9214>{{cite web |last=Nowak |first=Jay |url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/92727182/matt-holliday-named-national-league-player-of-the-week |title=Holliday named NL Player of the Week |website=MLB.com |date=September 2, 2014}}</ref> On September 12, his {{convert|467|ft}} [http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/09/13/video-matt-holliday-hits-a-long-home-run-against-the-rockies/ home run] against the [[2014 Colorado Rockies season|Rockies]] was the longest home of the season at Busch Stadium and the second-longest in the [[stadium]]'s history, just after the one he had hit two years earlier against the Cubs.<ref name=2ndlongestBuschHR>{{cite web |last=Harris |first=Joe |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2014_09_12_colmlb_slnmlb_1&mode=recap_home&c_id=stl |title=Deep blast from Holliday drives Cards' cause: Wainwright stifles Rox as St. Louis maintains lead in NL Central |website=MLB.com |date=September 13, 2014 |access-date=March 17, 2015}}</ref> From August 30 to the end of the season, he batted .538 with RISP.<ref name=consistency>{{cite web |last=Miklasz |first=Bernie |url=http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/bernie-miklasz/bernie-will-holliday-carry-consistency-forward/article_206afd48-e35e-50e7-aadc-c197416beaa6.html |title=Will Holliday carry consistency forward? |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |date=March 25, 2015 |access-date=March 25, 2015}}</ref> He finished the season with a .272 average, 20 home runs, 90 RBI (eighth in the NL), 37 doubles, 83 runs scored, 74 BB (eighth), 247 [[times on base]] (sixth), .370 on-base percentage (10th) and .443 slugging percentage.<ref name=brefmlb>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hollima01.shtml?redir |title=Matt Holliday statistics and history |work=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=September 1, 2014}}</ref> Seventeen of Holliday's 20 home runs traveled at least {{convert|400|ft}}; his home run true distance average of {{convert|417.9|ft}} led all MLB.<ref name=true>{{cite web |url=http://www.hittrackeronline.com/golden_sledgehammer.php |title=Golden Sledgehammer–full list, 2014 |publisher=ESPN Hit Tracker Online |access-date=March 15, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Heaney |first=Tim |url=http://fantasy.usatoday.com/2015/02/baseball-draft-matt-holliday-cardinals-home-runs-power |title=Matt Holliday shockingly ranked first in this 2014 fantasy baseball statistic |publisher=fantasy.usatoday.com |work=USA Today |date=February 13, 2015 |access-date=March 15, 2015}}</ref> For the ninth consecutive season, Holliday recorded at least 20 home runs, 30 doubles, 75 RBI and 80 runs scored, becoming just the fifth player in MLB history to do so. The others with this exploit were [[Stan Musial]] (10), [[Manny Ramirez]] (10), Pujols (10), and [[Miguel Cabrera]] (nine).<ref name=2014bio/> |
The Arizona Fall League announced on July 20 that Holliday, along with fellow outfielder [[Carl Crawford]], were selected to their Hall of Fame.<ref name=aflhall/> For the week ending September 2, Holliday was the NL Player of the Week, following a major league-leading 13 RBI – four of which each won separate contests – and an NL-leading four home runs, .889 slugging percentage and 24 total bases while the Cardinals took over first place in the NL Central.<ref name=pow9214>{{cite web |last=Nowak |first=Jay |url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/92727182/matt-holliday-named-national-league-player-of-the-week |title=Holliday named NL Player of the Week |website=MLB.com |date=September 2, 2014}}</ref> On September 12, his {{convert|467|ft}} [http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/09/13/video-matt-holliday-hits-a-long-home-run-against-the-rockies/ home run] against the [[2014 Colorado Rockies season|Rockies]] was the longest home of the season at Busch Stadium and the second-longest in the [[stadium]]'s history, just after the one he had hit two years earlier against the Cubs.<ref name=2ndlongestBuschHR>{{cite web |last=Harris |first=Joe |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2014_09_12_colmlb_slnmlb_1&mode=recap_home&c_id=stl |title=Deep blast from Holliday drives Cards' cause: Wainwright stifles Rox as St. Louis maintains lead in NL Central |website=MLB.com |date=September 13, 2014 |access-date=March 17, 2015}}</ref> From August 30 to the end of the season, he batted .538 with RISP.<ref name=consistency>{{cite web |last=Miklasz |first=Bernie |url=http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/bernie-miklasz/bernie-will-holliday-carry-consistency-forward/article_206afd48-e35e-50e7-aadc-c197416beaa6.html |title=Will Holliday carry consistency forward? |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |date=March 25, 2015 |access-date=March 25, 2015}}</ref> He finished the season with a .272 average, 20 home runs, 90 RBI (eighth in the NL), 37 doubles, 83 runs scored, 74 BB (eighth), 247 [[times on base]] (sixth), .370 on-base percentage (10th) and .443 slugging percentage.<ref name=brefmlb>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hollima01.shtml?redir |title=Matt Holliday statistics and history |work=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=September 1, 2014}}</ref> Seventeen of Holliday's 20 home runs traveled at least {{convert|400|ft}}; his home run true distance average of {{convert|417.9|ft}} led all MLB.<ref name=true>{{cite web |url=http://www.hittrackeronline.com/golden_sledgehammer.php |title=Golden Sledgehammer–full list, 2014 |publisher=ESPN Hit Tracker Online |access-date=March 15, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Heaney |first=Tim |url=http://fantasy.usatoday.com/2015/02/baseball-draft-matt-holliday-cardinals-home-runs-power |title=Matt Holliday shockingly ranked first in this 2014 fantasy baseball statistic |publisher=fantasy.usatoday.com |work=USA Today |date=February 13, 2015 |access-date=March 15, 2015}}</ref> For the ninth consecutive season, Holliday recorded at least 20 home runs, 30 doubles, 75 RBI and 80 runs scored, becoming just the fifth player in MLB history to do so. The others with this exploit were [[Stan Musial]] (10), [[Manny Ramirez]] (10), Pujols (10), and [[Miguel Cabrera]] (nine).<ref name=2014bio/> |
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The Cardinals started Holliday at [[First baseman|first base]] on Opening Day of the [[2016 St. Louis Cardinals season|2016]] season, a position he had not previously played during his career.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/15123797/matt-holliday-starting-first-base-st-louis-cardinals-opener |title=Matt Holliday starts at 1B for Cardinals, moves to LF |website=ESPN.com |date=April 3, 2016 |access-date=April 3, 2016}}</ref> On May 6 against [[2016 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pittsburgh]], Holliday collected his 512th hit at Busch Stadium, breaking his personal tie of 511 hits at Coors Field. Having already achieved 500 hits at both [[stadium]]s, he became the only active player with at least 500 hits at multiple stadiums, and just the fourteenth to do so within the previous 50 years.<ref>{{cite web |last=Groke |first=Nick |url=http://www.denverpost.com/2016/05/18/matt-holliday-wrecks-rockies-streak-as-cardinals-skim-by-in-st-louis-3/ |title=Matt Holliday wrecks Rockies streak as Cardinals skim by in St. Louis |newspaper=The Denver Post |date=May 18, 2016 |access-date=May 25, 2016}}</ref> Holliday hit a home run on May 30 that traveled {{convert|466|ft}} off [[Jhan Mariñez]] that nearly exited [[Miller Park (Milwaukee)|Miller Park]] in a 6–0 defeat of the [[2016 Milwaukee Brewers season|Brewers]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Ingrassia |first=Nunzio |url=http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/st-louis-cardinals-matt-holliday-massive-home-run-that-nearly-clears-miller-park-053016 |title=Matt Holliday hits a massive home run that nearly clears Miller Park |website=FOXSports.com |date=May 30, 2016 |access-date=May 30, 2016}}</ref> The next day, also against the Brewers, he collected his 1,000th career hit with the Cardinals.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hummel |first=Rick |url=http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/cardinal-beat/grichuk-sits-cardinals-go-for-sweep/article_4335eb0e-a81b-5641-86c0-35f07edc9bcd.html |title=Brewers' soft-tosser handcuffs Cardinals |newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |date=June 1, 2016 |access-date=June 2, 2016}}</ref> |
The Cardinals started Holliday at [[First baseman|first base]] on Opening Day of the [[2016 St. Louis Cardinals season|2016]] season, a position he had not previously played during his career.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/15123797/matt-holliday-starting-first-base-st-louis-cardinals-opener |title=Matt Holliday starts at 1B for Cardinals, moves to LF |website=ESPN.com |date=April 3, 2016 |access-date=April 3, 2016}}</ref> On May 6 against [[2016 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pittsburgh]], Holliday collected his 512th hit at Busch Stadium, breaking his personal tie of 511 hits at Coors Field. Having already achieved 500 hits at both [[stadium]]s, he became the only active player with at least 500 hits at multiple stadiums, and just the fourteenth to do so within the previous 50 years.<ref>{{cite web |last=Groke |first=Nick |url=http://www.denverpost.com/2016/05/18/matt-holliday-wrecks-rockies-streak-as-cardinals-skim-by-in-st-louis-3/ |title=Matt Holliday wrecks Rockies streak as Cardinals skim by in St. Louis |newspaper=The Denver Post |date=May 18, 2016 |access-date=May 25, 2016}}</ref> Holliday hit a home run on May 30 that traveled {{convert|466|ft}} off [[Jhan Mariñez]] that nearly exited [[Miller Park (Milwaukee)|Miller Park]] in a 6–0 defeat of the [[2016 Milwaukee Brewers season|Brewers]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Ingrassia |first=Nunzio |url=http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/st-louis-cardinals-matt-holliday-massive-home-run-that-nearly-clears-miller-park-053016 |title=Matt Holliday hits a massive home run that nearly clears Miller Park |website=FOXSports.com |date=May 30, 2016 |access-date=May 30, 2016}}</ref> The next day, also against the Brewers, he collected his 1,000th career hit with the Cardinals.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hummel |first=Rick |url=http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/cardinal-beat/grichuk-sits-cardinals-go-for-sweep/article_4335eb0e-a81b-5641-86c0-35f07edc9bcd.html |title=Brewers' soft-tosser handcuffs Cardinals |newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |date=June 1, 2016 |access-date=June 2, 2016}}</ref> |
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A {{convert|94|mph}} fastball from the [[2016 Chicago Cubs season|Cubs]]' [[Mike Montgomery (baseball)|Mike Montgomery]] on August 11, 2016, struck Holliday on the right thumb, fracturing it. The Cardinals placed him on the DL.<ref>{{cite magazine |author=SI Wire |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2016/08/12/st-louis-cardinals-matt-holliday-thumb-injury |title=Cardinals LF Matt Holliday headed to DL with fractured right thumb |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=August 12, 2016 |access-date=August 13, 2016}}</ref> Presented with the option to either allow the thumb to heal naturally or with surgery, Holliday elected surgery as that would have potentially allowed him to return before season's end.<ref>{{cite news |last=Eschman |first=Todd |url=http://www.bnd.com/sports/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/article95827647.html |title=Have we seen the last of Matt Holliday? |work=Bellville News-Democrat |date=August 15, 2016 |access-date=August 19, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Goold |first=Derrick |url=http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/surgery-is-holliday-s-best-bet-to-play-again-this/article_1b7188a2-7619-5135-a8cf-6f5b389eb83a.html |title=Surgery is Holliday's best bet to play again this season |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |date=August 17, 2016 |access-date=August 19, 2016}}</ref> He encountered multiple delays in recovery. Having been informed in the final days of the 2016 season that the Cardinals would not pick up the option for 2017 worth $17 million, he was activated from the DL — although his thumb was still fractured — in time for the September 30 game against [[2016 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pittsburgh]]. He hit his first career pinch-hit home run in that game and 20th of the season.<ref>{{cite news |last=Axisa |first=Mike |url=http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/watch-matt-holliday-homers-with-broken-thumb-in-perfect-cardinals-farewell/ |title=WATCH: Matt Holliday homers with broken thumb in perfect Cardinals farewell |work=CBSSports.com |date=September 30, 2016 |access-date=October 2, 2016}}</ref><ref name=langosch100116>{{cite news |last=Langosch |first=Jenifer |url=http://m.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/204270538/cardinals-matt-holliday-activated-homers/ |title=Holy Holliday! Slugger hits storybook homer: After being activated from DL for final showing before St. Louis fans, Cards veteran clubs first pinch blast |work=m.cardinals.mlb.com |date=October 1, 2016 |access-date=September 30, 2016}}</ref> Holliday released a statement: "While I'm disappointed this could be it here in St. Louis, I understand that it might be time to move on."<ref>{{cite news |last=Schoenfield |first=Dave |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/74276/what-we-learned-matt-holliday-has-storybook-ending-to-cardinals-career |title=What we learned: Matt Holliday has storybook ending to Cardinals career |work=ESPN.com |date=September 30, 2016 |access-date=October 2, 2016}}</ref> While his batting average had dropped to a career-low .246, Holliday was optimistic about a rebound. Because he produced the third-highest [[exit velocity]] at {{convert|94.7|mph}} of all hitters with at least 100 batted balls in 2016, he concluded that to "have my misses be more in the air than on the ground, my numbers could really get back toward where they have been my whole career."<ref>{{cite news |last=King III |first=George A. |url=https://nypost.com/2016/12/07/matt-holliday-how-numbers-show-last-season-was-a-fluke/ |title=Matt Holliday: How numbers show last season was a fluke |work=[[New York Post]] |date=December 7, 2016 |access-date=December 9, 2016}}</ref> |
A {{convert|94|mph}} fastball from the [[2016 Chicago Cubs season|Cubs]]' [[Mike Montgomery (baseball)|Mike Montgomery]] on August 11, 2016, struck Holliday on the right thumb, fracturing it. The Cardinals placed him on the DL.<ref>{{cite magazine |author=SI Wire |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2016/08/12/st-louis-cardinals-matt-holliday-thumb-injury |title=Cardinals LF Matt Holliday headed to DL with fractured right thumb |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=August 12, 2016 |access-date=August 13, 2016}}</ref> Presented with the option to either allow the thumb to heal naturally or with surgery, Holliday elected surgery as that would have potentially allowed him to return before season's end.<ref>{{cite news |last=Eschman |first=Todd |url=http://www.bnd.com/sports/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/article95827647.html |title=Have we seen the last of Matt Holliday? |work=Bellville News-Democrat |date=August 15, 2016 |access-date=August 19, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Goold |first=Derrick |url=http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/surgery-is-holliday-s-best-bet-to-play-again-this/article_1b7188a2-7619-5135-a8cf-6f5b389eb83a.html |title=Surgery is Holliday's best bet to play again this season |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |date=August 17, 2016 |access-date=August 19, 2016}}</ref> He encountered multiple delays in recovery. Having been informed in the final days of the 2016 season that the Cardinals would not pick up the option for 2017 worth $17 million, he was activated from the DL — although his thumb was still fractured — in time for the September 30 game against [[2016 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pittsburgh]]. He hit his first career pinch-hit home run in that game and 20th of the season.<ref>{{cite news |last=Axisa |first=Mike |url=http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/watch-matt-holliday-homers-with-broken-thumb-in-perfect-cardinals-farewell/ |title=WATCH: Matt Holliday homers with broken thumb in perfect Cardinals farewell |work=CBSSports.com |date=September 30, 2016 |access-date=October 2, 2016}}</ref><ref name=langosch100116>{{cite news |last=Langosch |first=Jenifer |url=http://m.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/204270538/cardinals-matt-holliday-activated-homers/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002032742/http://m.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/204270538/cardinals-matt-holliday-activated-homers/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 2, 2016 |title=Holy Holliday! Slugger hits storybook homer: After being activated from DL for final showing before St. Louis fans, Cards veteran clubs first pinch blast |work=m.cardinals.mlb.com |date=October 1, 2016 |access-date=September 30, 2016}}</ref> Holliday released a statement: "While I'm disappointed this could be it here in St. Louis, I understand that it might be time to move on."<ref>{{cite news |last=Schoenfield |first=Dave |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/74276/what-we-learned-matt-holliday-has-storybook-ending-to-cardinals-career |title=What we learned: Matt Holliday has storybook ending to Cardinals career |work=ESPN.com |date=September 30, 2016 |access-date=October 2, 2016}}</ref> While his batting average had dropped to a career-low .246, Holliday was optimistic about a rebound. Because he produced the third-highest [[exit velocity]] at {{convert|94.7|mph}} of all hitters with at least 100 batted balls in 2016, he concluded that to "have my misses be more in the air than on the ground, my numbers could really get back toward where they have been my whole career."<ref>{{cite news |last=King III |first=George A. |url=https://nypost.com/2016/12/07/matt-holliday-how-numbers-show-last-season-was-a-fluke/ |title=Matt Holliday: How numbers show last season was a fluke |work=[[New York Post]] |date=December 7, 2016 |access-date=December 9, 2016}}</ref> |
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===New York Yankees (2017)=== |
===New York Yankees (2017)=== |
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After becoming a free agent for the second time in his career, on December 7, 2016, Holliday signed a one-year contract with the [[2017 New York Yankees season|New York Yankees]] worth $13 million,<ref>{{cite news |last=Feinsand |first=Mark |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/matt-holliday-thrilled-yankees-article-1.2902146 |title=New Yankees DH Matt Holliday out to show he has something left: I want to play three or four more years |work=[[New York Daily News]] |date=December 7, 2016 |access-date=December 8, 2016}}</ref> to become their primary [[designated hitter]] (DH).<ref>{{cite web |last=Law |first=Keith |author-link=Keith Law (baseball writer) |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/keith-law/insider/post?id=5975 |title=Number of DH jobs shrinks with Holliday deal for Yankees |work=ESPN.com |date=December 4, 2016 |access-date=April 8, 2017}}</ref> One provision to the contract was an unusual, "enormously specific", [[no-trade clause]] to one team: the Oakland Athletics.<ref>{{cite news |last=Berg |first=Ted |url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2016/12/new-york-yankees-matt-holliday-contract-no-trade-oakland-lol-mlb |title=Matt Holliday's new contract has the funniest no-trade clause |work=USA Today For the Win |date=December 8, 2016 |access-date=December 8, 2016}}</ref> |
After becoming a free agent for the second time in his career, on December 7, 2016, Holliday signed a one-year contract with the [[2017 New York Yankees season|New York Yankees]] worth $13 million,<ref>{{cite news |last=Feinsand |first=Mark |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/matt-holliday-thrilled-yankees-article-1.2902146 |title=New Yankees DH Matt Holliday out to show he has something left: I want to play three or four more years |work=[[New York Daily News]] |date=December 7, 2016 |access-date=December 8, 2016}}</ref> to become their primary [[designated hitter]] (DH).<ref>{{cite web |last=Law |first=Keith |author-link=Keith Law (baseball writer) |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/keith-law/insider/post?id=5975 |title=Number of DH jobs shrinks with Holliday deal for Yankees |work=ESPN.com |date=December 4, 2016 |access-date=April 8, 2017}}</ref> One provision to the contract was an unusual, "enormously specific", [[no-trade clause]] to one team: the Oakland Athletics.<ref>{{cite news |last=Berg |first=Ted |url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2016/12/new-york-yankees-matt-holliday-contract-no-trade-oakland-lol-mlb |title=Matt Holliday's new contract has the funniest no-trade clause |work=USA Today For the Win |date=December 8, 2016 |access-date=December 8, 2016}}</ref> |
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His first RBI and double for the Yankees came on the same play on April 4, 2017, versus the [[2017 Tampa Bay Rays season|Tampa Bay Rays]] at [[Tropicana Field]], in the third inning of a 5–0 Yankees win.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chastain |first1=Bill |last2=Hoch |first2=Bryan |url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170404222288654/homers-back-cc-sabathia-as-yanks-top-rays/?game_pk=490116 |title=Trop-ic Thunder: CC rides HRs to victory |work=MLB.com |date=April 4, 2017 |access-date=April 6, 2017}}</ref> His first home run for the Yankees was on April 7, on a pitch by [[2017 Baltimore Orioles season|Baltimore Orioles]] starter [[Ubaldo Jiménez]] in the third inning of a 6–5 loss.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ghiroli |first1=Brittany |last2=Hoch |first2=Bryan |url=http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/222982192/orioles-use-homers-to-rally-beat-yankees/ |title=Holliday, Sanchez homer, but Yanks falter late |work=newyork.yankees.mlb.com |date=April 7, 2017 |access-date=April 8, 2017}}</ref> The following day, Holliday collected his 2,000th career hit versus [[Kevin Gausman]], a first-inning single, in a 5–4 loss to the Orioles.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hoch |first1=Bryan |title=Matt Holliday collects 2,000th career hit |url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/223086702/yankees-matt-holliday-gets-2000th-career-hit/?topicId=27118122 |work=MLB.com |date=April 8, 2017 |access-date=April 8, 2017}}</ref> Holliday drew a career-high five walks on April 9, tying a Yankees franchise record.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ghiroli |first1=Brittany |last2=Hoch |first2=Bryan |url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/223243712/aaron-judges-hr-4-run-9th-help-yanks-top-os/?game_pk=490187 |title=Yankees use 4-run 9th to deal O's first loss |work=MLB.com |date=April 9, 2017 |access-date=April 9, 2017}}</ref> On April 28, Holliday hit a walk-off three-run home run off [[Jayson Aquino]], which capped a comeback after trailing 1−9, and helped a 14−11 win over the Orioles.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hoch |first1=Bryan |last2=Ghiroli |first2=Brittany|title=Crazy comeback: Yanks outslug O's in 10 |url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/227149666/yankees-rally-to-walk-off-in-10-vs-orioles/?topicId=27118122 |work=MLB.com |date=April 28, 2017 |access-date=April 29, 2017}}</ref> |
His first RBI and double for the Yankees came on the same play on April 4, 2017, versus the [[2017 Tampa Bay Rays season|Tampa Bay Rays]] at [[Tropicana Field]], in the third inning of a 5–0 Yankees win.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chastain |first1=Bill |last2=Hoch |first2=Bryan |url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170404222288654/homers-back-cc-sabathia-as-yanks-top-rays/?game_pk=490116 |title=Trop-ic Thunder: CC rides HRs to victory |work=MLB.com |date=April 4, 2017 |access-date=April 6, 2017}}</ref> His first home run for the Yankees was on April 7, on a pitch by [[2017 Baltimore Orioles season|Baltimore Orioles]] starter [[Ubaldo Jiménez]] in the third inning of a 6–5 loss.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ghiroli |first1=Brittany |last2=Hoch |first2=Bryan |url=http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/222982192/orioles-use-homers-to-rally-beat-yankees/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170408203757/http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/222982192/orioles-use-homers-to-rally-beat-yankees/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 8, 2017 |title=Holliday, Sanchez homer, but Yanks falter late |work=newyork.yankees.mlb.com |date=April 7, 2017 |access-date=April 8, 2017}}</ref> The following day, Holliday collected his 2,000th career hit versus [[Kevin Gausman]], a first-inning single, in a 5–4 loss to the Orioles.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hoch |first1=Bryan |title=Matt Holliday collects 2,000th career hit |url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/223086702/yankees-matt-holliday-gets-2000th-career-hit/?topicId=27118122 |work=MLB.com |date=April 8, 2017 |access-date=April 8, 2017}}</ref> Holliday drew a career-high five walks on April 9, tying a Yankees franchise record.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ghiroli |first1=Brittany |last2=Hoch |first2=Bryan |url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/223243712/aaron-judges-hr-4-run-9th-help-yanks-top-os/?game_pk=490187 |title=Yankees use 4-run 9th to deal O's first loss |work=MLB.com |date=April 9, 2017 |access-date=April 9, 2017}}</ref> On April 28, Holliday hit a walk-off three-run home run off [[Jayson Aquino]], which capped a comeback after trailing 1−9, and helped a 14−11 win over the Orioles.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hoch |first1=Bryan |last2=Ghiroli |first2=Brittany|title=Crazy comeback: Yanks outslug O's in 10 |url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/227149666/yankees-rally-to-walk-off-in-10-vs-orioles/?topicId=27118122 |work=MLB.com |date=April 28, 2017 |access-date=April 29, 2017}}</ref> |
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Holliday hit his 300th career home run on May 3, versus [[Marcus Stroman]] of the [[2017 Toronto Blue Jays season|Toronto Blue Jays]]. He became the 93rd player in major league history to reach that milestone along with 2,000 hits.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hoch |first=Bryan |url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/228125558/matt-holliday-hits-300th-career-home-run/ |title=Holliday hits 3-run blast for 300th career HR |work=MLB.com |date=May 3, 2017 |access-date=May 3, 2017}}</ref> |
Holliday hit his 300th career home run on May 3, versus [[Marcus Stroman]] of the [[2017 Toronto Blue Jays season|Toronto Blue Jays]]. He became the 93rd player in major league history to reach that milestone along with 2,000 hits.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hoch |first=Bryan |url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/228125558/matt-holliday-hits-300th-career-home-run/ |title=Holliday hits 3-run blast for 300th career HR |work=MLB.com |date=May 3, 2017 |access-date=May 3, 2017}}</ref> |
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==Coaching career== |
==Coaching career== |
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On July 18, 2019, Holliday announced would be joining his brother Josh's coaching staff at [[Oklahoma State University]] as an outfielding and hitting coach.<ref name="Jeff Bailey">{{cite web |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2019/07/18/matt-holliday-oklahoma-state-baseball/ |title=Matt Holliday is back in baseball, this time as coach at Oklahoma State |author=Jeff Bailey |date=July 18, 2019 |publisher=The Denver Post |work=www.denverpost.com |access-date=July 18, 2019}}</ref> |
On July 18, 2019, Holliday announced he would be joining his brother Josh's coaching staff at [[Oklahoma State University]] as an outfielding and hitting coach.<ref name="Jeff Bailey">{{cite web |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2019/07/18/matt-holliday-oklahoma-state-baseball/ |title=Matt Holliday is back in baseball, this time as coach at Oklahoma State |author=Jeff Bailey |date=July 18, 2019 |publisher=The Denver Post |work=www.denverpost.com |access-date=July 18, 2019}}</ref> |
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On November 6, 2022, Holliday rejoined the [[St. Louis Cardinals]] as their bench coach,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/birdland/cardinals-hall-of-famer-matt-holliday-returning-to-team-as-oliver-marmols-bench-coach/article_e4cff835-8537-55d7-b32c-33f0773d4f8e.html | title=Cardinals Hall of Famer Matt Holliday returning to team as Oliver Marmol's bench coach | date=November 6, 2022 }}</ref> but he resigned from the position on January 12, 2023, prior to the season.<ref>{{cite web |title=Matt Holliday resigns; McEwing hired as bench coach |url=https://www.mlb.com/cardinals/news/joe-mcewing-replaces-matt-holliday-as-cardinals-bench-coach |website=MLB.com |access-date=January 12, 2023}}</ref> |
On November 6, 2022, Holliday rejoined the [[St. Louis Cardinals]] as their bench coach,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/birdland/cardinals-hall-of-famer-matt-holliday-returning-to-team-as-oliver-marmols-bench-coach/article_e4cff835-8537-55d7-b32c-33f0773d4f8e.html | title=Cardinals Hall of Famer Matt Holliday returning to team as Oliver Marmol's bench coach | date=November 6, 2022 }}</ref> but he resigned from the position on January 12, 2023, prior to the season.<ref>{{cite web |title=Matt Holliday resigns; McEwing hired as bench coach |url=https://www.mlb.com/cardinals/news/joe-mcewing-replaces-matt-holliday-as-cardinals-bench-coach |website=MLB.com |access-date=January 12, 2023}}</ref> |
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==Personal life== |
==Personal life== |
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[[File:Mattholliday3.jpg|thumb|Holliday during the [[2011 World Series]] victory parade in [[St. Louis]]]] |
[[File:Mattholliday3.jpg|thumb|Holliday during the [[2011 World Series]] victory parade in [[St. Louis]]]] |
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Holliday and his wife, Leslee, married on December 30, 2000. They met on a blind date in 1999 in Stillwater during the baseball offseason when Matt had returned home from his first professional season following his selection by the Rockies in the MLB draft and Leslee was an undergraduate at [[Oklahoma State University–Stillwater|OSU−Stillwater]]. Matt's best friend was dating a friend of Leslee's, and they wanted to do a double date, so her friend asked if she would go with Matt. The Hollidays currently reside in [[Stillwater, Oklahoma]], and [[Jupiter, Florida]], and have four children.<ref name=parker073016>{{cite news |last=Parker |first=Molly |url=http://thesouthern.com/lifestyles/faith-and-values/wife-of-st-louis-cardinals-matt-holliday-to-speak-in/article_119ca5fd-23bb-5376-bb99-f927b02e3797.html |title=Wife of St. Louis Cardinals' Matt Holliday to speak in Carbondale |work= [[The Southern Illinoisan]] |date=July 30, 2016 |access-date=July 31, 2016}}</ref> They have three sons, [[Jackson Holliday|Jackson]] (born December 4, 2003), Ethan (b. February 23, 2007), and Reed (b. July 24, 2013) and a daughter, Gracyn (b. November 7, 2009). Jackson was selected [[List of first overall Major League Baseball draft picks|first overall]] in the [[2022 Major League Baseball draft]] by the [[Baltimore Orioles]] and made his MLB debut in 2024.<ref>{{cite news |last=McDaniel |first=Kiley |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/insider/story/_/id/39914042/mlb-debut-jackson-holliday-top-prospect-baltimore-orioles |title=Orioles prospect Jackson Holliday's MLB debut: What to know |work=[[ESPN]] |date=April 10, 2024 |access-date=April 10, 2024}}</ref> |
Holliday and his wife, Leslee, married on December 30, 2000. They met on a blind date in 1999 in Stillwater during the baseball offseason when Matt had returned home from his first professional season following his selection by the Rockies in the MLB draft and Leslee was an undergraduate at [[Oklahoma State University–Stillwater|OSU−Stillwater]]. Matt's best friend was dating a friend of Leslee's, and they wanted to do a double date, so her friend asked if she would go with Matt. The Hollidays currently reside in [[Stillwater, Oklahoma]], and [[Jupiter, Florida]], and have four children.<ref name=parker073016>{{cite news |last=Parker |first=Molly |url=http://thesouthern.com/lifestyles/faith-and-values/wife-of-st-louis-cardinals-matt-holliday-to-speak-in/article_119ca5fd-23bb-5376-bb99-f927b02e3797.html |title=Wife of St. Louis Cardinals' Matt Holliday to speak in Carbondale |work= [[The Southern Illinoisan]] |date=July 30, 2016 |access-date=July 31, 2016}}</ref> They have three sons, [[Jackson Holliday|Jackson]] (born December 4, 2003), [[Ethan Holliday|Ethan]] (b. February 23, 2007), and Reed (b. July 24, 2013) and a daughter, Gracyn (b. November 7, 2009). Jackson was selected [[List of first overall Major League Baseball draft picks|first overall]] in the [[2022 Major League Baseball draft]] by the [[Baltimore Orioles]] and made his MLB debut in 2024.<ref>{{cite news |last=McDaniel |first=Kiley |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/insider/story/_/id/39914042/mlb-debut-jackson-holliday-top-prospect-baltimore-orioles |title=Orioles prospect Jackson Holliday's MLB debut: What to know |work=[[ESPN]] |date=April 10, 2024 |access-date=April 10, 2024}}</ref> Ethan is considered to be one of the top prospects eligible in the [[2025 Major League Baseball draft|2025 MLB draft]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/milb/news/draft-top-100-prospects-list-2025|title=NEW: Top 100 Draft prospects for '25|website=MLB.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2024/08/18/ethan-holliday-2025-mlb-draft-top-prospect-jackson/74842574007/|title=No. 1 brothers? Ethan Holliday could join Jackson, make history in 2025 MLB draft|first=Bob|last=Nightengale|website=USA TODAY}}</ref> |
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The Hollidays formerly resided in [[Austin, Texas]], during the offseason until December 2010, following his signing of the contract with the Cardinals in January 2010.<ref>{{cite web |last=Goold |first=Derrick |url=http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/holliday-puts-down-roots-in-st-louis/article_6cceac48-1816-5ca7-a123-e7a0cbfe93d6.html |title=Holliday puts down roots in St. Louis |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |date=January 12, 2011 |access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref> During the offseason, Holliday and his family have also lived in Stillwater, where he also has worked with his brother, Josh, on his swing.<ref>{{cite web |last=Baldwin |first=Michael |url=http://newsok.com/matt-holliday-works-with-his-brother-during-the-offseason/article/3754693 |title=Matt Holliday works with his brother during the offseason |work=The Oklahoman |date=February 12, 2013 |access-date=August 10, 2014}}</ref> In the 2014−15 offseason, Holliday and his family moved to [[South Florida]], allowing him to stay in optimal shape year-round, and his sons to continue to play sports in winter months.<ref>{{cite web |last=McNeal |first=Stan |url=http://www.foxsports.com/midwest/story/ever-the-kid-st-louis-cardinals-lf-matt-holliday-remains-fit-and-strong-at-35-040115 |title=Ever the kid, Matt Holliday remains fit and strong at 35 |work=FoxSports Midwest |date=April 1, 2015 |access-date=April 22, 2015}}</ref> |
The Hollidays formerly resided in [[Austin, Texas]], during the offseason until December 2010, following his signing of the contract with the Cardinals in January 2010.<ref>{{cite web |last=Goold |first=Derrick |url=http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/holliday-puts-down-roots-in-st-louis/article_6cceac48-1816-5ca7-a123-e7a0cbfe93d6.html |title=Holliday puts down roots in St. Louis |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |date=January 12, 2011 |access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref> During the offseason, Holliday and his family have also lived in Stillwater, where he also has worked with his brother, [[Josh Holliday|Josh]], on his swing.<ref>{{cite web |last=Baldwin |first=Michael |url=http://newsok.com/matt-holliday-works-with-his-brother-during-the-offseason/article/3754693 |title=Matt Holliday works with his brother during the offseason |work=The Oklahoman |date=February 12, 2013 |access-date=August 10, 2014}}</ref> In the 2014−15 offseason, Holliday and his family moved to [[South Florida]], allowing him to stay in optimal shape year-round, and his sons to continue to play sports in winter months.<ref>{{cite web |last=McNeal |first=Stan |url=http://www.foxsports.com/midwest/story/ever-the-kid-st-louis-cardinals-lf-matt-holliday-remains-fit-and-strong-at-35-040115 |title=Ever the kid, Matt Holliday remains fit and strong at 35 |work=FoxSports Midwest |date=April 1, 2015 |access-date=April 22, 2015}}</ref> |
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Holliday is a [[Christianity|Christian]] and is part of a [[Bible study (Christian)|Bible study]] group with fellow Christian teammates. He has spoken about his faith saying, "I play for [[God in Christianity|God]]. It says in the [[Bible]] that we are to do all things for Him. ... So I try to do the best that I can for Him. This is my job, not who I am."<ref>{{cite web |last=Ewert |first=Jill |title=In the Cards |url=http://www.fca.org/2013/10/27/in-the-cards/#.U0ybHRUo7IU |date=October 27, 2013 |work=[[Fellowship of Christian Athletes]]}}</ref> Leslee has led a Bible study in the St. Louis area for professional athletes' wives.<ref name=parker073016/> |
Holliday is a [[Christianity|Christian]] and is part of a [[Bible study (Christian)|Bible study]] group with fellow Christian teammates. He has spoken about his faith saying, "I play for [[God in Christianity|God]]. It says in the [[Bible]] that we are to do all things for Him. ... So I try to do the best that I can for Him. This is my job, not who I am."<ref>{{cite web |last=Ewert |first=Jill |title=In the Cards |url=http://www.fca.org/2013/10/27/in-the-cards/#.U0ybHRUo7IU |date=October 27, 2013 |work=[[Fellowship of Christian Athletes]]}}</ref> Leslee has led a Bible study in the St. Louis area for professional athletes' wives.<ref name=parker073016/> |
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Holliday's favorite player growing up was [[Cal Ripken Jr.]] He has stated that if he had a dream car it would be a [[Bentley Continental GT]], rather than a [[sports car]], because he is "too big for small sports cars."<ref>{{cite web |last=Borenstein |first=Matthew |url=http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060531&content_id=1481274&vkey=news_col&fext=.jsp&c_id=col |title=Q & A with Matt Holliday |website=Colorado Rockies|publisher=MLB|date=May 31, 2006 |access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref> |
Holliday's favorite player growing up was [[Cal Ripken Jr.]] He has stated that if he had a dream car it would be a [[Bentley Continental GT]], rather than a [[sports car]], because he is "too big for small sports cars."<ref>{{cite web |last=Borenstein |first=Matthew |url=http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060531&content_id=1481274&vkey=news_col&fext=.jsp&c_id=col |title=Q & A with Matt Holliday |website=Colorado Rockies|publisher=MLB|date=May 31, 2006 |access-date=August 9, 2014}}{{dead link|date=October 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> |
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Scott Boras has represented Holliday as his agent since he turned professional. Holliday described his relationship with Boras and his staff in that he "enjoy(s) sitting down and talking to them. Scott is as accessible as you want him to be. I could call him right now. He's got a lot of clients and people say they don't hear from Scott but he'll give you as much or as little attention as you want." Holliday further explained that due to the amenities the Boras Corporation provides, including a staff [[psychologist]], research to assist players in prolonging careers, studies into arbitration cases, and statistical performance computation, he felt that Boras' agency gave him the best opportunities to succeed.<ref>{{cite web |last=Cole |first=Matthew |url=http://www.businessweek.com/stories/2007-09-26/scott-borasbusinessweek-business-news-stock-market-and-financial-advice |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102084942/http://www.businessweek.com/stories/2007-09-26/scott-borasbusinessweek-business-news-stock-market-and-financial-advice |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 2, 2012 |title=Scott Boras |work=[[Bloomberg Businessweek]] |date=September 26, 2007 |access-date=August 10, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Rains |first=B. J. |url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/02/matt-holliday-on-scott-boras.html |title=Why I chose my agency: Matt Holliday |work=MLB Trade Rumors |date=February 20, 2013 |access-date=August 10, 2014}}</ref> |
Scott Boras has represented Holliday as his agent since he turned professional. Holliday described his relationship with Boras and his staff in that he "enjoy(s) sitting down and talking to them. Scott is as accessible as you want him to be. I could call him right now. He's got a lot of clients and people say they don't hear from Scott but he'll give you as much or as little attention as you want." Holliday further explained that due to the amenities the Boras Corporation provides, including a staff [[psychologist]], research to assist players in prolonging careers, studies into arbitration cases, and statistical performance computation, he felt that Boras' agency gave him the best opportunities to succeed.<ref>{{cite web |last=Cole |first=Matthew |url=http://www.businessweek.com/stories/2007-09-26/scott-borasbusinessweek-business-news-stock-market-and-financial-advice |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102084942/http://www.businessweek.com/stories/2007-09-26/scott-borasbusinessweek-business-news-stock-market-and-financial-advice |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 2, 2012 |title=Scott Boras |work=[[Bloomberg Businessweek]] |date=September 26, 2007 |access-date=August 10, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Rains |first=B. J. |url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/02/matt-holliday-on-scott-boras.html |title=Why I chose my agency: Matt Holliday |work=MLB Trade Rumors |date=February 20, 2013 |access-date=August 10, 2014}}</ref> |
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With intense off-season physical training regimens, Holliday plays [[Squash (sport)|squash]] and likes to incorporate an NFL approach. He has trained with teammates, such as Freese, and [[pitcher]] [[Trevor Rosenthal]], in activities such as "sled pushing, tire flipping and some fireman carries", and each player taking turns carrying each other for about 20 [[meter]]s.<ref>{{cite web |last=Langosch |first=Jenifer |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140120&content_id=66877506¬ebook_id=66877828&vkey=notebook_stl&c_id=stl |title=Holliday, Rosenthal work out using 'NFL program' |publisher=MLB|website=St. Louis Cardinals |date=January 20, 2014 |access-date=August 10, 2014}}</ref> |
With intense off-season physical training regimens, Holliday plays [[Squash (sport)|squash]] and likes to incorporate an NFL approach. He has trained with teammates, such as Freese, and [[pitcher]] [[Trevor Rosenthal]], in activities such as "sled pushing, tire flipping and some fireman carries", and each player taking turns carrying each other for about 20 [[meter]]s.<ref>{{cite web |last=Langosch |first=Jenifer |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140120&content_id=66877506¬ebook_id=66877828&vkey=notebook_stl&c_id=stl |title=Holliday, Rosenthal work out using 'NFL program' |publisher=MLB|website=St. Louis Cardinals |date=January 20, 2014 |access-date=August 10, 2014}}</ref> |
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One opponent with long-time ties to the Hollidays is former Boston Red Sox [[List of Boston Red Sox managers|manager]] [[John Farrell (manager)|John Farrell]]. Farrell pitched for Tom Holliday at OSU, helping propel them to four [[College World Series]] appearances. When Matt and Josh were still toddlers, Farrell often babysat them when their parents went out. Years later, when Matt Holliday was a member of the Rockies team that played the Red Sox in the 2007 World Series, Farrell was the Red Sox [[Boston Red Sox coaches|pitching coach]]. Six years after that, as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals, Holliday again played against Farrell. This time, he was the Red Sox manager.<ref>{{cite web |last=Berra |first=Lindsay |url=http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/stl/john-farrell-tom-and-matt-holliday-rivals-only-during-world-series?ymd=20131027&content_id=63405716&vkey=news_stl |title=Farrell, Hollidays rivals only during World Series |website=St. Louis Cardinals|publisher=MLB |date=October 27, 2013 |access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref> In both Series, however, Farrell's teams were victorious over Holliday's.<ref name=2007ws/><ref name=2013ws/> |
One opponent with long-time ties to the Hollidays is former Boston Red Sox [[List of Boston Red Sox managers|manager]] [[John Farrell (manager)|John Farrell]]. Farrell pitched for Tom Holliday at OSU, helping propel them to four [[College World Series]] appearances. When Matt and Josh were still toddlers, Farrell often babysat them when their parents went out. Years later, when Matt Holliday was a member of the Rockies team that played the Red Sox in the 2007 World Series, Farrell was the Red Sox [[Boston Red Sox coaches|pitching coach]]. Six years after that, as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals, Holliday again played against Farrell. This time, he was the Red Sox manager.<ref>{{cite web |last=Berra |first=Lindsay |url=http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/stl/john-farrell-tom-and-matt-holliday-rivals-only-during-world-series?ymd=20131027&content_id=63405716&vkey=news_stl |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812212602/http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/stl/john-farrell-tom-and-matt-holliday-rivals-only-during-world-series?ymd=20131027&content_id=63405716&vkey=news_stl |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 12, 2014 |title=Farrell, Hollidays rivals only during World Series |website=St. Louis Cardinals|publisher=MLB |date=October 27, 2013 |access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref> In both Series, however, Farrell's teams were victorious over Holliday's.<ref name=2007ws/><ref name=2013ws/> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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{{2011 St. Louis Cardinals}} |
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[[Category:Holliday family|Matt]] |
Latest revision as of 17:37, 6 December 2024
Matt Holliday | |
---|---|
Left fielder | |
Born: Stillwater, Oklahoma, U.S. | January 15, 1980|
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
MLB debut | |
April 16, 2004, for the Colorado Rockies | |
Last MLB appearance | |
October 1, 2018, for the Colorado Rockies | |
MLB statistics | |
Batting average | .299 |
Hits | 2,096 |
Home runs | 316 |
Runs batted in | 1,220 |
Stats at Baseball Reference | |
Teams | |
Career highlights and awards | |
|
Matthew Thomas Holliday (born January 15, 1980) is an American former professional baseball left fielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 2004 to 2018 for the Colorado Rockies, Oakland Athletics, St. Louis Cardinals, and New York Yankees. A World Series champion in 2011 with the Cardinals, Holliday played a key role in seven postseasons, including the Rockies' first-ever World Series appearance in 2007 and Cardinals' playoff success in the 2010s. His distinctions include a National League (NL) batting championship, the 2007 NL Championship Series Most Valuable Player Award (NLCS MVP), seven All-Star selections, and four Silver Slugger Awards. Other career accomplishments include 300 home runs, more than 2,000 hits, and batting over .300 eight times.
The Colorado Rockies selected Holliday in the seventh round of the 1998 MLB draft from high school in Oklahoma, where he also starred as a highly touted quarterback prospect.[1] He debuted in MLB in 2004, becoming the Rockies' starting left fielder and a middle of the lineup presence. In 2006, he became the 19th player ever to reach 195 hits, 30 home runs, 45 doubles, 115 runs and 110 runs batted in (RBI) in one season. The next season, he won the NL batting title, September National League Player of the Month honors and NLCS MVP[2] as the Rockies won 21 of 22 games at the end of the regular season and in the playoffs en route to their first World Series appearance.[3] In the first of four consecutive NLCS appearances starting in 2011, he batted .435 with a .652 slugging percentage in the 2011 NLCS on his way to winning his first World Series ring with the Cardinals. In 2014, he became just the fifth player in MLB history to amass nine consecutive seasons of at least 20 home runs, 30 doubles, 75 RBI and 80 runs scored each season.
In addition to his presence as a leader on the field, Holliday is active in charity work and assisting his teammates off the field. Thus, the St. Louis chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America has awarded him the Darryl Kile Good Guy Award. He is a frequent visitor to children's hospitals. From 2012 to 2016, Holliday co-sponsored a pledge drive for Greater St. Louis hospitals called "Homers for Health", which raised more than $3.7 million. Since retirement, he remains active with Homers for Health as chairman.
Because of his hitting abilities and strength, he has sometimes been called the "Stillwater Stinger". His son, Jackson, was selected first overall in the 2022 MLB draft.
Early life
[edit]Matt Holliday was born and raised in Stillwater, Oklahoma. With easy athletic skill, he showed marked talent in baseball, football and basketball as a youth.[4] He was also physically larger than most of his friends, so when they played games, they often modified the rules to offset his size advantage. In football, Holliday was required to play quarterback for both teams. In baseball, every three of his home runs were credited as one.[5]
He spent much of his free time with his father, Tom Holliday, and brother, Josh, at the Oklahoma State University (OSU) baseball field and training complex, where his father was a coach. There, the Holliday boys learned about the fundamentals of the sport, voluntarily trained and practiced, and watched future major leaguers such as Robin Ventura play and develop. In addition, he played American Legion Baseball during the summer. In spite of the extensive time spent around the sport of baseball, Tom Holliday abstained from attempting to influence his sons on which sport or sports to concentrate.[4][6]
At Stillwater High School, Holliday played both baseball and football. He was a quarterback while playing football. As a senior, he earned All-American honors in football and baseball and also earned his region's Gatorade Player of the Year award in both sports. He also competed for the 1997 USA Junior National Team. In his next-to-last football game for Stillwater, he helped bring the Pioneers back from a 42–21 deficit against Tulsa Union by throwing three touchdowns (TD) in the final six minutes of the game for a 43–42 score.[7]
However, his high school football career ended with a 63–0 loss to Jenks in the state semifinal contest. His career passing totals included 6,211 yards and 68 TD. His 35 TD passes as a junior set a then-11 man state record.[7] Former Dallas Cowboys head coach Jimmy Johnson reportedly once forecasted to Tom Holliday that his son "couldn't miss" as an NFL prospect.[6] He was also rated the third-best quarterback prospect in the nation after graduating from Stillwater in 1998.[8]
Numerous connections throughout college and professional baseball span Holliday's family ties. His father, Tom Holliday, has been the pitching coach for the Tigers of Auburn University, and former baseball head coach of OSU.[9] Current Atlanta Braves MLB scout, Dave Holliday, is an uncle.[10] His older brother, Josh, is currently the head baseball coach at OSU, and a former minor league player in the Toronto Blue Jays organization.[11] A cousin, Heath Holliday, has also played baseball as a catcher for OSU.[12]
Professional career
[edit]Draft and minor leagues (1998–2004)
[edit]With football recruiting overtures from colleges and universities all over the country—including OSU—Holliday instead chose professional baseball after graduating from high school. The Rockies selected him in the seventh round of the 1998 Major League Baseball draft as a third baseman.[13] Widespread concerns that he would choose football over baseball prevented him from being drafted earlier since he had already committed to OSU on paper to play football.[6] Thus, Rockies scouting director Pat Daugherty signed him for an above-slot $840,000,[14] the most money paid to any player in that round.[1]
In Holliday's inaugural professional season, the Rockies assigned him to their Arizona League affiliate, who finished with a 42–14 record and won the league championship. He played 32 games and assembled 40 hits in 117 at bats for a .342 batting average, collected four doubles, a triple, five home runs and 23 runs batted in (RBI); his home run total placed third in the league.[15] He played 1999 for the Asheville Tourists, batting .264 with 16 home runs and 76 runs scored. With the bases loaded, he was 3-for-9 with one grand slam and 11 RBI. At third base, Holliday turned in an .871 fielding percentage and 57 putouts.[16]
Holliday played for Salem in 2000 and 2001. For the 2000 season, he totaled 510 plate appearances, successfully collected 126 hits, 28 doubles, two triples, seven home runs, drove in 72 runs, and batted .274 with a .335 on-base percentage and .389 slugging percentage. He spent 112 games at third base, was charged with 32 errors in 300 total chances for a fielding percentage of .893, and turned 13 double plays.[17] In 2001, the Rockies moved Holliday to the outfield.[18] He was named the Carolina League Player of the Month for June, batting .324 with seven multi-hit games, three doubles, seven home runs, and 22 RBI. He played 72 games on the season after undergoing elbow surgery in July ended his season.[19]
The Rockies promoted Holliday to the Carolina Mudcats of the AA Southern League (SL) in 2002, where he was named a mid-season All-Star. He was named the league's Hitter of the Week on June 27, after collecting nine hits in 24 at bats with one home run and eight RBI. He won the same award on July 18, after scoring seven runs and driving in 10, and a career-best six RBI against Birmingham on July 14. Holliday ended the season with 128 hits in 463 at bats, 10 home runs, and 64 RBI, batting .276 with 79 runs scored and 16 stolen bases.[20] He played for the Mesa Solar Sox of the off-season Arizona Fall League (AFL) in 2002 and 2003, batting .316 with four home runs, 21 RBI and 10 stolen bases in 35 total AFL games.[21] Holliday remained at the AA level for the 2003 season as the everyday left fielder for the Tulsa Drillers of the Texas League, batting .253, 28 doubles, 72 RBI, 132 hits, 45 extra-base hits, and 206 total bases. His 15 outfield assists tied for second in the league. He earned a spot on the USA Baseball team in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Panama. They were eliminated from advancing to the 2004 Summer Olympics.[20]
Colorado Rockies (2004–08)
[edit]2004–06: Beginning career
[edit]The Rockies assigned Holliday to their Triple-A affiliate, the Colorado Springs Sky Sox, at the outset of the 2004 season, intending for him to spend much of the season there. Injuries to outfielders Preston Wilson and Larry Walker expedited his progress to the Major Leagues after just six games with Colorado Springs. He made his major league debut in left field on April 16[22] at Busch Memorial Stadium against one of his future teams, the St. Louis Cardinals. Holliday went hitless in three at-bats.[23] Two days after his debut, Holliday recorded his first career hit, a single, and then, RBI against the Cardinals' Woody Williams, doubling in Kit Pellow.[24] Holliday's first career home run came against José Lima of the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 22. Five days later, he, Jeromy Burnitz, and Charles Johnson collaborated for back-to-back-to-back home runs against the Florida Marlins, the sixth such occasion in franchise history.[22]
Holliday's first career multi-home run game came against the Cincinnati Reds on May 18. Both home runs came as part of back-to-back home runs events with Burnitz, making them the first teammates in franchise history to hit back-to-back home runs twice in the same game, and the first teammate duo to do so since Mike Cameron and Bret Boone of the Seattle Mariners in 2002. His first MLB grand slam came against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on June 12, immediately tying a game in which the Rockies had faced a 5–1 deficit. For the month of June, he hit .357.[22] The Rockies traded Walker to the Cardinals in August, clearing more outfield playing opportunities for Holliday.[25] A sprained elbow while diving for a ball against the San Diego Padres on September 12 ended his season. His final batting line included a .290 batting average in 121 games, with 31 doubles, 14 home runs, 57 RBI, 65 runs scored, 48 extra-base hits, .349 on-base percentage, .488 slugging percentage, and 195 total bases. He finished in the top five among NL rookies in each of those categories. After the season, Holliday was named to both Baseball America's All-Rookie Team and Topps' Major League Rookie All-Star Team, and finished fifth in the Rookie of the Year balloting.[22]
In his second major league season, Holliday became the cleanup hitter behind franchise icon Todd Helton in the middle of the 2005 season.[26] After 119 at bats into the season, Holliday hit his first home run against Noah Lowry of the San Francisco Giants on May 17. He hit his second career multi-homer game and first with three extra base hits against the Cardinals on June 2. He was placed on the disabled list (DL) with a right fractured pinky[27] and returned to play on July 18.[27] He earned his first NL Player of the Week award for July 25 to 31, after batting .444 with three home runs, eight RBI, an .852 slugging percentage and a league-leading 12 hits and 23 total bases.[28]
In September, Holliday led the NL with 32 RBI, setting a Rockies record for that month. On September 20 against the Padres, he hit two home runs and tied a Rockies' single-game record with eight RBI in a Rockies 20–1 victory, the highest single-game RBI total in the NL in 2005[29] and second-highest in the major leagues.[27] He ended the season with a seven-game hitting streak[27] and reached base in each of the Rockies' final 22 games.[30] Holliday totaled 125 games and improved in nearly all offensive categories from his rookie year, including 147 hits, 19 home runs, 87 RBI, 68 runs, 14 stolen bases, 242 total bases, 505 slugging percentage and .361 on-base percentage. His .307 batting average placed eighth in the NL.[27] The club picked up his option for 2006, which was worth $500,000 ($780,030.7 today), or about $100,000 ($156,006.1 today) more than the average for a player with equivalent service time.[26] He was selected as the Rockies Player of the Year.[31]
Holliday was selected to Team USA for the 2006 World Baseball Classic prior to the start of the MLB season.[32] Despite batting just .255 through May 1, 2006, Holliday accumulated 24 RBI in 25 games.[33] From May 1 until the end of the season – a span of 131 games – he collected 169 hits for a .339 batting average, the fourth-highest in the major leagues.[33] He batted .404 from June 1–27, second in the NL in that period.[34] An All-Star selection to the game at PNC Park in Pittsburgh for the first time in his career, Holliday was hitting .339 with 16 home runs and 56 RBI at the time of his selection.[35] In the game, Holliday played right field for the first time as a major leaguer.[33]
On September 19, 2006, Holliday hit the longest home run of 2006 in MLB against Matt Cain of the Giants. While the official distance was 443 feet (135 m), HitTracker estimated it at 496 feet (151 m).[36] His grand slam and triple five days later against the Braves assisted the Rockies' comeback from a 7–0 deficit to a 9–8 final victory.[37] He garnered his second NL Player of the Week for the week ending September 24, after hitting four homers, three doubles and a triple, helping propel the Rockies to win five of seven games.[38] In 155 total games, Holliday batted .326 with 196 hits, 45 doubles, 34 home runs, 114 RBIs, 119 runs, 10 stolen bases, 353 total bases, .586 slugging percentage, and .387 on-base percentage. He became just the 19th player ever to meet or exceed 195 hits, 30 home runs, 45 doubles, 115 runs and 110 RBI in one season. He finished in the top five of the National League in batting average, hits, runs, extra base hits, total bases and slugging percentage. After the season, received his first Silver Slugger Award as an outfielder.[33]
2007: Batting title winner and NLCS MVP
[edit]Continuing to evolve as a hitter, Holliday started the 2007 season as in the Rockies' lineup as the number five hitter, but changed to the third slot for the final five months of the season. He fashioned a new career-high 14-game hitting streak that spanned from April 17 to May 1.[39] His two outfield assists on April 21 against San Diego in the sixth inning tied a club record for outfield assists in one inning.[40] In the April 29 contest against the Braves, Holliday hit his first career walk-off home run in the bottom of the 11th off Bob Wickman to provide a 9–7 victory.[41] From May 22 to June 7, he established a new career-high 15 game hitting streak.[42] In 87 first half games, Holliday totaled 30 doubles, 15 home runs, 69 RBI, 122 hits, a .341 average, and a .573 slugging percentage.[39] NL players and coaches selected him in with 725 votes to play in the All-Star Game at AT&T Park in San Francisco for the second straight season. He also participated in the Home Run Derby.[43]
Holliday hit .361 (86-for-238) in the final 60 games of the season.[43] For the week ending July 29, he earned National League Player of the Week honors as the Rockies won four of the six games, batting .364 with a .481 on-base percentage and four home runs, two doubles, and 10 RBI.[44] From August 10 to 27, he strung together another new career-best 17-game hitting streak.[43][45] In reaching base safely each game from July 22 to August 31 against the Diamondbacks, Holliday's feat of 36 consecutive games eclipsed a Rockies record which Helton and Walker previously shared,[46] eventually ending at 38.[43]
Holliday gained his second NL Player of the Week selection of the season and fourth of his career on September 16, after hitting six home runs, driving in 11, batting .407 with a .500 on-base percentage, and leading the NL each with a 1.148 slugging percentage, 11 runs scored, and 31 total bases.[47] In a 12-game span from September 9–20, he hit 11 home runs;[48] only Alex Rodríguez matched that feat in 2007. One of the home runs was the 100th of his career and his 200th hit of the season, occurring on September 19 in a 9–8 victory over the Dodgers.[49] His September totals included a .367 batting average, 29 runs scored, six doubles, 12 home runs, 30 RBI, and .796 slugging percentage, prompting MLB to award him NL Player of the Month honors[50] as the Rockies won 13 of their 14 final scheduled games.[51] He garnered copious attention for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award throughout the season, which increased even more that September.[47][52][53]
The Rockies and Padres finished the scheduled portion of their regular seasons tied for the NL wild card position with identical 89–73 records, for which MLB declared a one-game extension to the regular season to determine the wild-card winner.[54] Holliday's triple in the bottom of the 13th inning off Padres closer Trevor Hoffman scored Troy Tulowitzki as the tying run.[55] Holliday scored the winning run on Jamey Carroll's sacrifice fly in a bloody collision with catcher Michael Barrett, although controversy arose as to whether he touched home plate. Thus, the Rockies entered the playoffs for the first time in Holliday's career.[56][57]
After hitting a career-best .340, Holliday won his first batting title.[58] He played in 158 games and posted career-highs as the National League leader in hits (216), doubles (50), RBI (137), extra base hits (92), and total bases (386). Additionally, he placed third in each of runs scored (120), slugging percentage (.607) and OPS (1.012), and fourth in home runs (36) and adjusted OPS+ (150). The 63 walks were a new career-high[59] at the time. He became just the fifth National Leaguer in the previous 59 years to lead the NL in both batting average and RBI,[60] and only the 13th major league player in the previous 45 years with at least 200 hits and 50 doubles.[61]
In the National League Division Series (NLDS) against the Phillies, Holliday homered twice as the Rockies swept.[62][63][64][65] Colorado then advanced to the National League Championship Series (NLCS) to face the Diamondbacks and swept them in four games. Holliday batted .333 with two home runs and four RBI on his way to being named the NLCS MVP.[3] Now having won 21 of 22 games,[66] the Rockies earned their first-ever trip to the World Series[3][67] where they opposed the Boston Red Sox. Holliday collected four hits in Game 2,[68] but, after his fourth hit in the eighth inning with the Red Sox leading 2–1, closer Jonathan Papelbon immediately picked him off first base for the third out,[68] and the Red Sox won by that same score. Boston eventually won the title by sweeping the Rockies, thus ending their season on a four-game losing streak.[69][70]
Following the season, Holliday placed second in the MVP voting with 336 points to Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins with 363,[2] in what was the closest result for the NL MVP since Atlanta Braves third baseman Terry Pendleton edged Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder Barry Bonds by 15 points in 1991.[71] Holliday was selected as the Rockies' Player of the Year for the second time[31] and The Sporting News named him to their All-Star team.[43] On December 14, Stillwater High School retired Holliday's high school jersey number 24. Businesses in Stillwater were asked to honor him that day by posting a "Welcome Home Matt Holliday" message on a marquee or window. The city council voted to change the name of the baseball field from Babcock Park to Matt Holliday Field and name the day "Matt Holliday, Stillwater's Major League Baseball Hero Day." Then-Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry also declared the day "Matt Holliday Day" throughout the state.[72]
2008
[edit]On January 18, 2008, Holliday signed a two-year, $23 million contract with the Rockies, covering his final two years of arbitration.[74] The Rockies also offered a four-year, $72 million extension, with a club option for a fifth year at $12 million. The team viewed the contract extension with the two years covering arbitration as a singular deal worth approximately $107 million. In contrast, Holliday and his agent, Scott Boras, regarded the extension as an $84-million free agent contract undervalued compared to similar players. Therefore, negotiations stalled in spring training.[75]
Holliday collected three hits[76] and hit the go-ahead home run in the eighth inning against the Braves on April 7, giving the Rockies a 2–1 win.[77] In a three-game sweep of Atlanta, he hit .462 (6-for-13), with a double, triple and home run, and six RBI. He earned the NL Player of the Week award for the period ending April 13 as the Rockies won four of six. Holliday led the NL with a .480 batting average and 10 RBI, while homering twice with an .880 slugging percentage and .519 on-base percentage.[78] He hit the game-tying home run against New York Mets closer Billy Wagner in the bottom of the ninth inning on May 23, then the game-winning single off Aaron Heilman in the bottom of the 13th to drive in Jonathan Herrera.[79] Two days later, the Rockies placed Holliday on the 15-day DL due to a strained left hamstring,[80] and reactivated him on June 10.[81]
The Rockies posted the largest comeback in team history in a nine-run deficit on July 4 against the Florida Marlins. After the Marlins led 13–4, Holliday provided two home runs, including a grand slam to reduce the Marlins' lead to 17–16 in an eventual 18–17 win.[82] On July 6, Holliday was named a reserve outfielder for National League in the All-Star Game for the third consecutive year.[83][84] He replaced Chicago Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano, who did not play due to injury, as the starter in right field,[85] and hit a solo home run in the top of the fifth inning.[86] For the month of July, he batted .370 with eight home runs and 24 RBI, .660 slugging percentage and 24 runs scored in 27 games.[87] Holliday's August totals included 11 stolen bases and 30 runs scored in 28 games, six home runs, nine doubles and a .392 on-base percentage.[87]
In 139 total games, he batted .321 with 173 hits, 25 home runs, 88 RBI, 107 runs, and 290 total bases. He led the club with 28 stolen bases while posting a .409 on-base percentage, both career highs, and won his third consecutive Silver Slugger Award.[88] Defensively, Holliday was first in ultimate zone rating (.900), fourth in fielding percentage (.991), fifth in total chances (252) and fifth in putouts (240) among all MLB left fielders. His total chances and putouts came in approximately 100 fewer innings than those players ahead of him.[89]
Oakland Athletics (2009)
[edit]Unable to agree to an extension, the Rockies traded Holliday on November 12, 2008, to the Oakland Athletics for pitchers Huston Street and Greg Smith, and outfielder Carlos González.[90] Holliday began working with former A's and Cardinals first baseman Mark McGwire as a personal hitting coach during the 2008–09 off-season,[91] who became the Cardinals' official hitting coach the following off-season.[92]
After spending most of the off-season on the trade market with the Rockies, Holliday was again a frequent subject of rumors during the spring. The Athletics failed to get off to a strong start[93] and it was unlikely the club would have been able to re-sign him over the course of the season or if he would have had become a free agent following the season.[94] He also got off a slow start as minor injuries hampered him while playing in Oakland.[95] His first home run of the season came on the last day of April against the Texas Rangers.[96] He batted .240 in April,[97] and, from May 11 until the St. Louis Cardinals acquired him, improved to .316, .420 on-base percentage and .489 slugging percentage over 65 games.[98] Reaching base five times in a May 17 loss to the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park, he scored his first four-hit game and stolen base of the season.[99]
The A's defeated the Minnesota Twins 14–13 on July 20 following a 10-run comeback, the largest in team history. Holliday contributed two home runs and six RBI, including a seventh-inning grand slam that tied the score at 13. This game marked the second time in his career in which he hit a grand slam plus another home run in his team's record-breaking comeback.[100] The first such comeback had occurred with the Rockies the previous year, on July 4, against the Marlins.[82] Two days later, he added three more hits and three runs scored against the Twins in a 16–1 victory.[101] An offensive surge that boosted his trade value significantly by hitting .390 with a .422 on-base percentage and a .756 slugging percentage in his final two weeks in Oakland. His overall totals with the club included 93 games played while batting .286 with 11 home runs and 54 RBI.[102]
St. Louis Cardinals (2009–2016)
[edit]2009–10: Second playoff push and new contract
[edit]On July 24, 2009, the A's traded Holliday to the St. Louis Cardinals for prospects Brett Wallace, Clayton Mortensen and Shane Peterson[103] and $1.5 million.[104] He represented an instant offensive upgrade for the Cardinals in left field, where players had batted .212 with a .294 on-base percentage and a .342 slugging percentage in 2009.[105] He hit in the fourth slot in the lineup behind All-Star first baseman Albert Pujols.[106] Because Pujols already wore jersey number 5, the number Holliday wore with Colorado and Oakland, St. Louis issued Holliday the number 15.[105]
In his Cardinals debut, Holliday had four hits, an RBI and a stolen base in an 8–1 win, for his 15th career four-hit game.[107] He had 20 hits in 33 at bats in his next nine games for a .606 batting average, .659 on-base percentage and 1.061 slugging percentage, with six doubles, three homers and 10 RBI.[108] His combined totals in 26 games with Oakland and St. Louis in July included 40 hits, 20 runs scored, a .412 batting average, a .487 on-base percentage, a .612 slugging percentage, 13 doubles, four home runs, 22 RBI, 16 walks and four stolen bases.[109] The Cardinals had a 20–6 record in August to stretch a National League Central division lead from a half-game on August 1 to ten on September 1.[110] In the third inning against the Milwaukee Brewers on September 3, Holliday collected his 1,000th MLB hit.[111]
The Cardinals won the National League Central division crown to claim a playoff berth for the first time in three years.[110] During the 65 games with Holliday on the roster, they had an NL-best .600 winning percentage; he batted .353 with 13 home runs and 55 RBI; twelve were game-winning RBI. After the All-Star break, he ranked in the top ten in MLB in batting average (.357), home runs (16), and RBI (66).[112] His aggregate totals with the A's and Cardinals included a .313 batting average, 24 home runs and 109 RBI.[106]
In spite of the inspired play after acquiring Holliday, the Cardinals did not fare well in the postseason, where they battled the Dodgers in the NLDS. Following a Game 1 defeat, Holliday hit a go-ahead home run off starter Clayton Kershaw in Game 2.[113] With the Cardinals maintaining a 2–1 advantage and two outs in the ninth inning, Holliday dropped a line drive off James Loney's bat. Had he caught the ball, that play would have ended the contest for a Cardinals win and a 1–1 Series tie. Instead, Loney ended up on second base, setting the Dodgers up to eventually score the game-winning run for a 3–2 final margin.[114] Los Angeles swept the best-of-five series, ending the Cardinals' season,[110] and the Game 2 error left Holliday with a reputation as a "goat."[106][115][116]
Holliday filed for free agency on November 5.[117] He finished 16th in the NL MVP voting – including a fourth-place vote – despite playing nearly 100 games in the American League.[118] Both trades involving Holliday were later panned as failures for the A's, as two of the players they dealt away became multiple All-Stars.[119][120] One was González, who won the 2010 batting title, Silver Slugger and Gold Glove Awards with the Rockies.[121] Street was the other All-Star.[122][123] Jesse Spector of Sporting News augured that the second deal was a "landslide win" for the Cardinals, even if they had never resigned Holliday in his free agency.[124]
On January 21, 2010, the Cardinals signed Holliday to a seven-year, $120 million deal ($167.7 million today), and he switched his uniform number to 7 in honor of fellow Oklahoman Mickey Mantle. The contract features a full no-trade clause and a $17 million team option for 2017 or $1 million buyout.[126][127] It was the richest contract in team history[106] and the largest of the 2009–10 offseason.[128][129] At the Cardinals' annual Winter Warm Up, he was bestowed with a new nickname—"The Stillwater Stinger".[130]
Batting second, Holliday homered in four consecutive games from June 18 to 22. In a weekend series against Oakland from June 18 to 20, he drove in eight of the Cardinals' 12 runs. He was named the National League Player of the Week for June 20, batting .435 with four home runs and eight RBI.[131] Selected to the All-Star Game on July 4 as a reserve player, he also participated in the Home Run Derby.[132] In the 10 games against both his former clubs, he batted .487, seven home runs, 13 RBI and nine runs scored. He batted .431 in a 16-game hitting streak from September 9–24. His .364 average for September and October ranked second in the NL.[131]
For the season, Holliday played in 158 games, batting .312 with 186 hits, 45 doubles, 28 home runs, 103 RBI, 95 runs scored, 69 walks, a .390 on-base percentage and .532 slugging percentage. He finished tied for second in the National League in doubles, third in hits, fourth with 317 total bases and 52 multi-hit games, fifth in batting average, sixth in on-base percentage and extra base hits with 74, and seventh in slugging and RBI.[131] He earned another Silver Slugger award, was named to The Sporting News All-Star Team and placed 12th in the NL MVP voting.[131] The St. Louis chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America recognized his charitable work and role as a team leader with the Darryl Kile Good Guy Award.[133]
2011–13: First World Series championship, three consecutive NLCS appearances
[edit]After hitting a home run the day before on Opening Day of 2011, Holliday had an emergency appendectomy.[134] He returned just nine days later despite a forecast to miss four to six weeks.[135] In seven consecutive plate appearances against the Houston Astros on April 26 and 27, he reached base and[136] did so in 10 of 15 plate appearances in that series.[137] He made his fifth MLB All-Star Game appearance and third Home Run Derby.[138] After two appearances on the disabled list twice that season, a different "injury bug" struck Holliday in a late August game against the Dodgers. During the eighth inning, he left the game due to pain developing after a moth had lodged itself deep within his ear. Team trainers removed it without further incident.[139]
As of August 28, the Cardinals were 10+1⁄2 games behind the Braves for the wild card playoff berth with 28 left to play.[140] In a September 1 contest against the Brewers, Holliday hit his 200th career home run, becoming the 300th player in MLB history to do so.[141] Tendonitis developed in his right hand on September 13, limiting him to three more starts the rest of the season.[136] St. Louis won 20 of their final 28 games, enabling them to overtake the Braves for the wild card position[142] in the last game of the regular season; it was the largest lead surrendered in MLB history with 28 games left to play.[140][143] In 124 games, Holliday batted .296 with 22 home runs, 75 RBI, 36 doubles, .388 on-base percentage, .525 slugging percentage, .912 OPS, and 151 OPS+, placing sixth in the NL in on-base percentage, seventh in OPS and OPS+ and ninth in doubles.
In the NLDS against the Phillies, Holliday's tendonitis reemerged,[144] limiting him to start two of the five games in the series. He was in better health for the NLCS against Milwaukee, batting .435 with 10 hits,[136] six runs scored, five RBI and a home run. The Cardinals defeated the Brewers,[116] advancing to the World Series[145] against the Texas Rangers.[116] Holliday was injured again in Game 6 on a play diving into third base where catcher Mike Napoli and third baseman Adrián Beltré had picked him off,[146] and the injury also kept him out of Game 7. The Cardinals won again and the Series, giving him his first World Series ring.[147] Although he had just three hits in 19 at bats, Holliday walked seven times – the most since Bonds' 13 in the 2002 World Series — boosting his on-base percentage to .385 as he scored five runs.[136]
In 41 straight starts spanning from June 22 to August 8, 2012, Holliday reached base.[148] His 15-game hitting streak from June 27 to July 16 was a season-high for the club.[149] From June 16 to July 6, he batted .500 with 10 doubles, 17 runs scored, four home runs, and 21 RBI; his batting average, on-base percentage (.549) and slugging percentage (.824) each led MLB. Holliday was named the NL All-Star team to replace teammate Yadier Molina when he went on the bereavement list.[150] On July 21, Holliday hit the longest home run recorded to date at Busch Stadium. The ball traveled 469 feet (143 m), flying past the 'Big Mac Land' sign into the second deck in left field.[151] He held the record until Brandon Moss surpassed that distance four years later.[152] Safely hitting four times in five at bats on August 26 against Cincinnati, he also had four RBI and missed hitting for the cycle by a home run.[153] He singled in the first inning against the Nationals on August 30 for his 1,500th career hit.[154] Holliday finished the season with a .295 batting average with 27 home runs and 102 RBI.[151]
During the NLCS against the Giants in Game 2, he slid into second baseman Marco Scutaro during a routine ground ball double play and ended up on top of him. Scutaro left the game to have x-rays taken. Controversy arose and persisted as to whether Holliday intentionally attempted to injure him. The Giants trailed 1–0 at that point, but scored seven runs to win, 7–1.[155][156][157] Eventually, the Giants won the series. The Missouri Athletic Club named Holliday their Sports Personality of the Year for 2012.[18]
Holliday hit a grand slam on June 9, 2013, during a seven-run 10th inning against the Reds in an 11–4 victory.[158] He left the July 11 game against the Cubs early because of a tightened right hamstring sustained while running to first base,[159] prompting the Cardinals to place him on the DL. He returned July 27 against the Braves.[160] In another game against the Reds on August 26, Holliday's three-run home run was the longest at Busch Stadium in 2013 at 442 feet (135 m).[161] During the final road trip of the season, he collected 13 hits in 26 at bats. However, back spasms kept him out of several games at the end of the regular season.[162] The Cardinals set an all-time MLB team record by batting .330 with runners in scoring position, and Holliday was fourth in MLB in those situations that year at .390.[163] In all, he finished with 22 home runs, 94 RBI, and a .300 batting average. His MLB-leading 31 double plays grounded into were a career-high and set a new Cardinals' single-season franchise record.[164]
The Cardinals clinched the best record in the NL at 97–65, granting Holliday his fifth career postseason entrance, and fourth with the Cardinals. Faced with a must-win Game 4 situation against the Pirates in the NLDS, he hit a two-run home run in a 2–1 victory.[165] The Cardinals advanced to their third consecutive NLCS against the Dodgers.[166] Holliday started 0-for-13, but his Game 3 home run off Ricky Nolasco to help St. Louis win, 4–2.[167][168] The Cardinals defeated the Dodgers in six games, securing Holliday's third trip to the Fall Classic,[169] and second against the Red Sox. Holliday collected six hits in 24 at bats with one double, one triple and two home runs for a .625 slugging percentage; however, the Red Sox claimed the title in six games.[170] In the 2013 postseason, Holliday hit four home runs, 10 RBI and a .507 slugging percentage.[116]
2014: Fifth NLCS, 400th double and 1,000th career RBI and run scored
[edit]By reaching base in each of his first 30 home games of 2014, Holliday authored the longest such streak to start a season in franchise history since Solly Hemus had 33 straight in 1953, extending a streak of 42 dating back to the previous September 6.[171] He singled in Jon Jay to drive in the 1,000th run of his career on June 17 at Busch Stadium against Washington, the 277th player in MLB history to do so.[172] While batting against Dan Haren of the Dodgers on July 19, Holliday hit his 400th career double and hit a 435 feet (133 m) home run for his 1,000th run scored.[173]
The Arizona Fall League announced on July 20 that Holliday, along with fellow outfielder Carl Crawford, were selected to their Hall of Fame.[21] For the week ending September 2, Holliday was the NL Player of the Week, following a major league-leading 13 RBI – four of which each won separate contests – and an NL-leading four home runs, .889 slugging percentage and 24 total bases while the Cardinals took over first place in the NL Central.[174] On September 12, his 467 feet (142 m) home run against the Rockies was the longest home of the season at Busch Stadium and the second-longest in the stadium's history, just after the one he had hit two years earlier against the Cubs.[175] From August 30 to the end of the season, he batted .538 with RISP.[176] He finished the season with a .272 average, 20 home runs, 90 RBI (eighth in the NL), 37 doubles, 83 runs scored, 74 BB (eighth), 247 times on base (sixth), .370 on-base percentage (10th) and .443 slugging percentage.[177] Seventeen of Holliday's 20 home runs traveled at least 400 feet (120 m); his home run true distance average of 417.9 feet (127.4 m) led all MLB.[178][179] For the ninth consecutive season, Holliday recorded at least 20 home runs, 30 doubles, 75 RBI and 80 runs scored, becoming just the fifth player in MLB history to do so. The others with this exploit were Stan Musial (10), Manny Ramirez (10), Pujols (10), and Miguel Cabrera (nine).[171]
The Cardinals finished first in the NL Central division to enter the postseason for the fifth time[8] and faced the Dodgers in an NLDS for the second time in six seasons since acquiring Holliday. After finding themselves down 6–1 in Game 1, Holliday provided a three-run home run off reliever Pedro Báez that was the difference in a 10–9 victory.[180] The Cardinals faced the Giants in an NLCS rematch but were defeated in five games.[181] For the National League MVP voting, he placed 14th, marking the eighth time he received votes.[182]
2015–16
[edit]Holliday opened the 2015 season with a 12-game hitting streak[183] that evolved into a sequence of reaching base in each of the first 45 games of the season, breaking Pujols's National League record of 42 games to open a season which he set in 2008.[184][185] It was the longest such streak in MLB since Derek Jeter garnered 53 in 1999.[186] Dating back to the end of 2014, Holliday's continuity of reaching base spanned 47 games.[184] The venture reached finality on June 2 against the Brewers after umpire Joe West ejected him for arguing a called third strike, the fourth ejection of his career.[187]
On June 8, Holliday suffered a right quadriceps strain while diving for a fly ball off the bat of the Rockies' Carlos González, and the Cardinals placed him on the 15-day DL. At the time, he was batting .303 with three home runs and 26 RBI,[188] and had been receiving strong fan support in the All-Star Game voting. He continued to reap considerable vote totals in spite of missing a month, and eventually was chosen a starting outfielder for the first time in his career. He was rendered unable to play in the game due to the quadriceps injury.[189][190]
After returning from the DL, Holliday's first home run was a grand slam on July 21 against Carlos Rodon of the Chicago White Sox in an 8–5 win,[191] his sixth career grand slam.[192] He reinjured the right quadriceps on July 30, prompting the club to retract him to the DL.[193] The Cardinals reactivated him on September 15 after missing 41 games.[194] Holliday played 73 games and finished the season with a .279 batting average, .394 on-base percentage, .410 slugging percentage, .804 OPS, four home runs and 35 RBI in 277 plate appearances.[195]
The Cardinals started Holliday at first base on Opening Day of the 2016 season, a position he had not previously played during his career.[196] On May 6 against Pittsburgh, Holliday collected his 512th hit at Busch Stadium, breaking his personal tie of 511 hits at Coors Field. Having already achieved 500 hits at both stadiums, he became the only active player with at least 500 hits at multiple stadiums, and just the fourteenth to do so within the previous 50 years.[197] Holliday hit a home run on May 30 that traveled 466 feet (142 m) off Jhan Mariñez that nearly exited Miller Park in a 6–0 defeat of the Brewers.[198] The next day, also against the Brewers, he collected his 1,000th career hit with the Cardinals.[199]
A 94 miles per hour (151 km/h) fastball from the Cubs' Mike Montgomery on August 11, 2016, struck Holliday on the right thumb, fracturing it. The Cardinals placed him on the DL.[200] Presented with the option to either allow the thumb to heal naturally or with surgery, Holliday elected surgery as that would have potentially allowed him to return before season's end.[201][202] He encountered multiple delays in recovery. Having been informed in the final days of the 2016 season that the Cardinals would not pick up the option for 2017 worth $17 million, he was activated from the DL — although his thumb was still fractured — in time for the September 30 game against Pittsburgh. He hit his first career pinch-hit home run in that game and 20th of the season.[203][204] Holliday released a statement: "While I'm disappointed this could be it here in St. Louis, I understand that it might be time to move on."[205] While his batting average had dropped to a career-low .246, Holliday was optimistic about a rebound. Because he produced the third-highest exit velocity at 94.7 miles per hour (152.4 km/h) of all hitters with at least 100 batted balls in 2016, he concluded that to "have my misses be more in the air than on the ground, my numbers could really get back toward where they have been my whole career."[206]
New York Yankees (2017)
[edit]After becoming a free agent for the second time in his career, on December 7, 2016, Holliday signed a one-year contract with the New York Yankees worth $13 million,[207] to become their primary designated hitter (DH).[208] One provision to the contract was an unusual, "enormously specific", no-trade clause to one team: the Oakland Athletics.[209]
His first RBI and double for the Yankees came on the same play on April 4, 2017, versus the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field, in the third inning of a 5–0 Yankees win.[210] His first home run for the Yankees was on April 7, on a pitch by Baltimore Orioles starter Ubaldo Jiménez in the third inning of a 6–5 loss.[211] The following day, Holliday collected his 2,000th career hit versus Kevin Gausman, a first-inning single, in a 5–4 loss to the Orioles.[212] Holliday drew a career-high five walks on April 9, tying a Yankees franchise record.[213] On April 28, Holliday hit a walk-off three-run home run off Jayson Aquino, which capped a comeback after trailing 1−9, and helped a 14−11 win over the Orioles.[214]
Holliday hit his 300th career home run on May 3, versus Marcus Stroman of the Toronto Blue Jays. He became the 93rd player in major league history to reach that milestone along with 2,000 hits.[215]
On June 28, Holliday was placed on the 10-day disabled list due to a viral infection.[216] On July 5, it was revealed that Holliday tested positive for Epstein-Barr virus, which causes mononucleosis.[217] He hit a game-tying home run in the ninth inning versus Craig Kimbrel of the Boston Red Sox on July 15, which the Yankees eventually won in 16 innings, 4−1.[218] On August 6, Holliday was again placed on the 10-day disabled list due to a lower back strain.[219] For the 2017 season, he batted .231/.316/.432.
Colorado Rockies (2018)
[edit]On July 28, 2018, Holliday signed a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies.[220] The Rockies assigned him to the Albuquerque Isotopes.[221] On August 23, Holliday was placed in the starting lineup, to play left field for the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field, against the San Diego Padres. Infielder Garrett Hampson was optioned to Albuquerque to make room on the 25-man roster & in the process Hampson's uniform number 7 was given to Holliday, Hampson would wear #1 upon his return to the club in September.[222]
In 2018 he batted .283/.415/.434 in 53 at bats.[223] He had the slowest baserunning sprint speed of all major league left fielders, at 25.1 feet/second.[224] He was the 4th-oldest player in the National League.[225]
Holliday elected free agency on October 29 and retired that offseason.[citation needed] He was named to the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame in May 2022, and was inducted to the "Red Jacket Club" in August 2022.[226]
Coaching career
[edit]On July 18, 2019, Holliday announced he would be joining his brother Josh's coaching staff at Oklahoma State University as an outfielding and hitting coach.[227]
On November 6, 2022, Holliday rejoined the St. Louis Cardinals as their bench coach,[228] but he resigned from the position on January 12, 2023, prior to the season.[229]
Awards and accomplishments
[edit]Championships, awards, and honors
[edit]Title | Times | Dates | Ref |
---|---|---|---|
Arizona League champion | 1 | 1998 | [15] |
National League batting champion | 1 | 2007 | [177] |
National League champion | 3 | 2007, 2011, 2013 | [3][145][169] |
World Series champion | 1 | 2011 | [147] |
Name of award | Times | Dates | Ref |
---|---|---|---|
All-American, high school baseball | 1 | 1997 | [7] |
All-American, high school football | 1 | 1997 | [7] |
Baseball America All-Rookie team | 1 | 2004 | [22] |
BBWAA St. Louis chapter Darryl Kile Good Guy Award | 1 | 2010 | [133] |
Carolina League Player of the Month | 1 | June 2001 | [19] |
Colorado Rockies Player of the Year | 2 | 2005, 2007 | [31] |
Gatorade Player of the Year, Regional level, baseball | 1 | 1997 | [7] |
Gatorade Player of the Year, Regional level, football | 1 | 1997 | [7] |
Major League Baseball All-Star | 7 | 2006−08, 2010−12, 2015 | [35][43][138][150][189] |
Major League Baseball Home Run Derby participant | 3 | 2007, 2010, 2011 | [43][138] |
Missouri Athletic Club Sports Personality of the Year | 1 | 2012 | [18] |
National League Championship Series MVP Award | 1 | 2007 | [3] |
National League Player of the Month | 1 | September 2007 | [50] |
National League Player of the Week | 7 | July 31, 2005 September 24, 2006 July 29, 2007 September 16, 2007 April 13, 2008 June 20, 2010 September 2, 2014 |
[28] [38] [44] [47] [78] [131] [174] |
Silver Slugger Award at outfield | 4 | 2006−08, 2010 | [177] |
Southern League Hitter of the Week | 2 | June 27 and July 18, 2002 | [20] |
Southern League Mid-Season All-Star | 1 | 2002 | [20] |
Sporting News All-Star team | 2 | 2007, 2010 | [43][131] |
Topps All-Star Rookie team | 1 | 2004 | [22] |
Act of honor bestowed | Dates | Ref |
---|---|---|
Arizona Fall League Hall of Fame inductee | 2014 | [21] |
Matt Holliday Day in Oklahoma, December 14 | declared 2007 | [72] |
Stillwater High School jersey number 24 retired | 2007 | [72] |
Statistical achievements
[edit]Notes: Through 2015 season. Per Baseball-Reference.com.[177]
Category | Times | Dates |
---|---|---|
Batting champion | 1 | 2007 |
Doubles leader | 1 | |
Extra base hits leader | 1 | |
Hits leader | 1 | |
Runs batted in leader | 1 | |
Total bases leader | 1 |
Category | Times | Seasons | Category | Times | Seasons |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Adjusted on-base plus slugging | 7 | 2006–08, 2010–13 | Home runs | 1 | 2007 |
Bases on balls | 2 | 2012, 2014 | On-base percentage | 7 | 2007–08, 2010–14 |
Batting average | 5 | 2005–08, 2010 | On-base plus slugging percentage | 7 | 2006–08, 2010–13 |
Double plays grounded into | 5 | 2006, 2008, 2011, 2013, 2014 | Runs batted in | 7 | 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012–14 |
Doubles | 4 | 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011 | Runs scored | 5 | 2006–08, 2012, 2013 |
Extra base hits | 4 | 2006, 2007, 2010, 2012 | Slugging percentage | 4 | 2006–08, 2010 |
Games played | 3 | 2010, 2012, 2014 | Stolen bases | 1 | 2008 |
Hits | 4 | 2006, 2007, 2010, 2012 | Times on base | 6 | 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012–14 |
Total bases | 4 | 2006, 2007, 2010, 2012 |
Min | Category | Times | Seasons | Min | Category | Times | Seasons |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
135 | adjusted on-base plus slugging | 8 | 2005–13 | .900 | on-base plus slugging | 6 | 2006–11 |
70 | bases on balls | 4 | 2008, 2009, 2012, 2014 | 100 | runs batted in | 5 | 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012 |
.300 | batting average | 7 | 2005–10, 2013 | 100 | runs scored | 4 | 2006–08, 2013 |
10 | double plays grounded into | 9 | 2005–07, 2009–14 | .500 | Slugging percentage | 7 | 2005–11 |
30 | doubles | 10 | 2004, 2006–14 | 25 | stolen bases | 1 | 2008 |
150 | games played | 6 | 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014 | .370 | on-base percentage | 9 | 2006–14 |
200 | hits | 1 | 2007 | 250 | total bases | 8 | 2006–10, 2012–14 |
30 | home runs | 2 | 2006–07 |
Records and other distinctions
[edit]Venue or organization | Achievement | Statistic | Date accomplished | Date surpassed | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Busch Stadium | Longest home run | 469 feet (143 m) | July 20, 2012 | June 30, 2016 | [151][152] |
Colorado Rockies | Most RBI in a single game (tied) | 8 | September 20, 2005 | Current | [29] |
Colorado Rockies | Most RBI in the month of September | 32 | 2005 | Current | [27] |
Colorado Rockies | Longest on-base streak | 38 games | 2007 | Current | [43] |
National League | Longest on-base streak to start a season | 45 games | 2015 | Current | [187] |
St. Louis Cardinals | Most double plays ground into in one season | 31 | 2013 | Current | [164] |
Achievement | No. of players | Dates achieved | Dates inclusive | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
Nine or more consecutive seasons of 20 HR, 30 doubles, 75 RBI and 80 runs scored | 5 | 2006−14 | All MLB history | [171] |
195 hits, 30 home runs, 45 doubles, 115 runs and 110 RBI in one season | 19 | 2006 | All MLB history | [33] |
200 hits and 50 doubles in one season | 13 | 2007 | 1962–2007 | [61] |
2× grand slam and additional home run in team's record-breaking comeback victory for runs deficit:
|
July 4, 2008 July 20, 2009 |
[82] | ||
Hit 11 home runs in 12 games | 2 | 2007 | [43] | |
ESPN Longest Home Run of season, 498 feet (152 m) | 2006 | [36] | ||
3× longest home run of season at Busch Stadium | 2012−14 | [151][161][175] | ||
MLB longest home run average true distance of season, 417.9 feet (127.4 m) | 2014 | [178] |
Player profile
[edit]Former Cardinals hitting coach Mark McGwire described Holliday as "a very good on-base guy. He'll take the walks. He knows how to work the count. He uses the whole field. Once in a while he'll tap into his strength and hit homers. He's just really good." Comparing his approach to that of Pujols and Adrián González, McGwire also commented that "Matt's very strong mentally. I can't emphasize enough how this game is a mental grind. The stronger ones do survive, and the stronger ones you see throughout their career, the numbers are always there."[230]
Pundits and fans have consistently questioned Holliday's durability, and thus his effectiveness as a hitter, into the final guaranteed year of the contract he signed in 2010. However, during each of its first five seasons, he played no fewer than 124 games. In each of the first 11 seasons of his career, including his rookie year, he played at least 121 games.[231]
Throughout his career, Holliday has received criticism for his defense.[232] After signing with the Yankees, he was projected to play mainly DH, as sportswriter George King observed, "Yankee Stadium's vast left field and the 6-foot-4, 240-pound Holliday aren't a good marriage, but he might be able to navigate a much smaller right field in a pinch."[233]
Survey of free agent contract signed in 2010
[edit]The contract to which Holliday and the Cardinals agreed before the 2010 season was widely viewed as a great success.[234][235][236][237] Over its first five seasons, he averaged 147 games per season, .295 batting average, .383 OBP and .496 SLG for a 141 OPS+; his counting stats average included 24 home runs, 93 RBI, and 92 runs scored.[176] He totaled 119 homers and 185 doubles in that span.[236] Since being acquired from Oakland, Holliday ranked fifth in MLB in RBI, doubles, and runs scored, ninth in extra-base hits, and 14th in OPS.[176]
Fangraphs' Wins Above Replacement (WAR) formula rated Holliday's production equivalent to nearly $110 million in value while actually being paid just $84 million.[238] In that span, he ranked 11th in all MLB, and fifth among outfielders, with 23.8 WAR.[236][239] Holliday was a key factor in the 2011 championship run with a big NLCS.[124] With RISP, Holliday had hit .315 with a .407 OBP and .486 SLG during his Cardinals years. Since Busch Stadium opened in 2006, he hit .309 with a .403 OBP, .542 SLG; only Pujols had more home runs, RBI and a higher OPS.[176] At $17.2 million in total earnings, Forbes magazine ranked Holliday as the 99th-highest paid athlete in the world in 2014.[240]
In spite of missing significant time in 2015 and 2016, Holliday contributed 24.1 WAR during the life of his 2010−16 contract with St. Louis, worth $168.6 million in total contributions according to Fangraphs.[204]
Personal life
[edit]Holliday and his wife, Leslee, married on December 30, 2000. They met on a blind date in 1999 in Stillwater during the baseball offseason when Matt had returned home from his first professional season following his selection by the Rockies in the MLB draft and Leslee was an undergraduate at OSU−Stillwater. Matt's best friend was dating a friend of Leslee's, and they wanted to do a double date, so her friend asked if she would go with Matt. The Hollidays currently reside in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Jupiter, Florida, and have four children.[241] They have three sons, Jackson (born December 4, 2003), Ethan (b. February 23, 2007), and Reed (b. July 24, 2013) and a daughter, Gracyn (b. November 7, 2009). Jackson was selected first overall in the 2022 Major League Baseball draft by the Baltimore Orioles and made his MLB debut in 2024.[242] Ethan is considered to be one of the top prospects eligible in the 2025 MLB draft.[243][244]
The Hollidays formerly resided in Austin, Texas, during the offseason until December 2010, following his signing of the contract with the Cardinals in January 2010.[245] During the offseason, Holliday and his family have also lived in Stillwater, where he also has worked with his brother, Josh, on his swing.[246] In the 2014−15 offseason, Holliday and his family moved to South Florida, allowing him to stay in optimal shape year-round, and his sons to continue to play sports in winter months.[247]
Holliday is a Christian and is part of a Bible study group with fellow Christian teammates. He has spoken about his faith saying, "I play for God. It says in the Bible that we are to do all things for Him. ... So I try to do the best that I can for Him. This is my job, not who I am."[248] Leslee has led a Bible study in the St. Louis area for professional athletes' wives.[241]
Holliday's favorite player growing up was Cal Ripken Jr. He has stated that if he had a dream car it would be a Bentley Continental GT, rather than a sports car, because he is "too big for small sports cars."[249]
Scott Boras has represented Holliday as his agent since he turned professional. Holliday described his relationship with Boras and his staff in that he "enjoy(s) sitting down and talking to them. Scott is as accessible as you want him to be. I could call him right now. He's got a lot of clients and people say they don't hear from Scott but he'll give you as much or as little attention as you want." Holliday further explained that due to the amenities the Boras Corporation provides, including a staff psychologist, research to assist players in prolonging careers, studies into arbitration cases, and statistical performance computation, he felt that Boras' agency gave him the best opportunities to succeed.[250][251]
Known primarily as a reserved figure, Holliday has played for years in the shadows of such franchise icons as Todd Helton and Albert Pujols, which accommodated his demeanor well. However, he has emerged as a veteran presence for the Cardinals willing to assist and entertain younger players and top prospects as they attempt to adjust to a lifestyle of playing baseball. In January 2012, he invited Matt Adams, Ryan Jackson, Charlie Tilson and Kolten Wong for a weeklong stay in St. Louis at the tony Frontenac Hotel. Activities included eating out, hitting, working out and attending a St. Louis Blues game. Holliday also became more active on his Twitter account and more readily availed himself as a guest on talk radio shows. Further, he befriended former teammate David Freese, who, shortly after Holliday's arrival in St. Louis in 2009, was arrested for driving under the influence. However, after becoming daily workout partners and socializing, teammates noted a "positive influence" on Freese.[252]
With intense off-season physical training regimens, Holliday plays squash and likes to incorporate an NFL approach. He has trained with teammates, such as Freese, and pitcher Trevor Rosenthal, in activities such as "sled pushing, tire flipping and some fireman carries", and each player taking turns carrying each other for about 20 meters.[253]
One opponent with long-time ties to the Hollidays is former Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell. Farrell pitched for Tom Holliday at OSU, helping propel them to four College World Series appearances. When Matt and Josh were still toddlers, Farrell often babysat them when their parents went out. Years later, when Matt Holliday was a member of the Rockies team that played the Red Sox in the 2007 World Series, Farrell was the Red Sox pitching coach. Six years after that, as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals, Holliday again played against Farrell. This time, he was the Red Sox manager.[254] In both Series, however, Farrell's teams were victorious over Holliday's.[70][170]
See also
[edit]- Colorado Rockies individual awards
- List of largest sports contracts
- List of Major League Baseball annual doubles leaders
- List of Major League Baseball annual runs batted in leaders
- List of Major League Baseball batting champions
- List of Major League Baseball career hit by pitch leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career hits leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career home run leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career OPS leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career runs batted in leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career runs scored leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career slugging percentage leaders
- List of St. Louis Cardinals team records
- St. Louis Cardinals award winners and league leaders
References
[edit]- ^ a b Moss, Irv (February 12, 2008). "Rockies banked on steal of 1998 draft". The Denver Post. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
- ^ a b "The Official Site of The Colorado Rockies: News: Colorado Rockies News". Colorado Rockies. MLB. Archived from the original on November 23, 2007. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
- ^ a b c d e "Rockies receive many contributions, but Holliday tops". ESPN. Associated Press. October 16, 2007. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
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- ^ Matt Holliday joins Rockies | MLB.com
- ^ Matt Holliday Stats | Baseball-Reference.com
- ^ Statcast Sprint Speed Leaderboard | baseballsavant.com
- ^ 2018 National League Awards, All-Stars, & More Leaders | Baseball-Reference.com
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- ^ Ewert, Jill (October 27, 2013). "In the Cards". Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
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External links
[edit]- Career statistics from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
Awards | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by | Topps All-Star Rookie Outfielder 2004 |
Succeeded by |
Preceded by | National League Player of the Month September 2007 |
Succeeded by |
- 1980 births
- Living people
- Albuquerque Isotopes players
- Arizona League Rockies players
- Asheville Tourists players
- Carolina Mudcats players
- Colorado Rockies players
- Colorado Springs Sky Sox players
- Baseball coaches from Oklahoma
- Baseball players from Oklahoma
- Major League Baseball left fielders
- Mesa Solar Sox players
- National League All-Stars
- National League batting champions
- National League Championship Series MVPs
- National League RBI champions
- New York Yankees players
- Oakland Athletics players
- Oklahoma State Cowboys baseball coaches
- Sportspeople from Stillwater, Oklahoma
- Salem Avalanche players
- Silver Slugger Award winners
- St. Louis Cardinals players
- Tulsa Drillers players
- World Baseball Classic players of the United States
- 2006 World Baseball Classic players
- Holliday family