Orioles Outfielder Finds Strength in Faith Amid Highs and Lows of the MLB

Published: June 25, 2026

By Mallory Mattingly

Baltimore Orioles infielder Jackson Holliday declared that no matter what happens on the baseball diamond, “victory belongs to the Lord.”

“I think this is hard sport to do whenever you fail so much, but it’s important to realize that it’s just a game,” Holliday told Jesus Over Baseball when asked how he balances his faith and his baseball career. “We have a community of a lot of really great guys on our team, and it’s very easy to kind of stay grounded with our teammates and our families.”

He added: “Victory belongs to the Lord. That’s kind of been something that’s been pretty important to me.”

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In 2024, Holliday made his Major League Baseball debut, where he started at second base and batted ninth. He unfortunately went 0-4 at the plate, but he did put up an RBI and secure a double play in his first game.

After the game, the infielder couldn’t help but praise God for the opportunity.

“Obviously, I would have liked to have gotten a few hits, but the overall experience was pretty incredible tonight,” Holliday told the media after his debut. He also revealed that, at the beginning of the game on defense and before each at-bat, he drew a cross in the dirt just like he does every game.

“I wouldn’t be here without Jesus, honestly,” he continued. “Just His love that He’s had on me and blessed me with the ability to play baseball and to be here today. I probably wouldn’t be anywhere without Him…Just giving thanks to the Lord.”

During an appearance on the “Sports Spectrum” podcast, Holliday discussed how much easier baseball has been for him with God at his side.

“I think being able to have your faith and being able to just kind of realize that everything is a plan and God has a plan for you, I think that makes it pretty easy for me,” he said. “I’m like, ‘OK, I’m gonna go out there, and I’m gonna compete, and I’m gonna do everything in my ability to succeed, but at the end of the day, like, if I do fail this, there is a purpose for that.’”

Holliday relies on his strong faith to keep him grounded, trusting that God has a purpose and a plan for his baseball career through both his triumphs and his struggles.

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