Everyday is a Holliday

The game of baseball has always run deep in the blood of the Holliday family. For Tom Holliday, Josh Holliday, Matt Holliday, Dave Holliday and Heath Holliday a day spent on the diamond is a routine part of life. Matt Holliday has become a star on the Major League Baseball level in a short time with the Colorado Rockies. As a senior in high school, Matt made an outstanding appearance by earning All-American honors in both football and baseball. He was also named the Oklahoma Gatorade Player of the Year. Matt was soon recruited out of high school to play football for Oklahoma State University. However, being the 7th round draft pick for the Colorado Rockies bettered his chances of playing professional ball and he chose to sign with the Rockies. Now with the Colorado Rockies, Matt has had an outstanding start to his big league career. In 2007, Matt was at his all-time high while leading the National League in hits, doubles, total bases and a batting average of .340. Matt also became the fifth National League player in the last 59 years to lead the National League in both batting average and RBIs. Following under Matt's footsteps is his cousin, Heath Holliday. Heath is a senior at Bixby High School. When not in school, Heath dedicates all of his time to baseball, whether it is school ball or a summer league. "I always felt I was kind of born into baseball," Heath said. "When you have a family of great players and great coaches, it's a logical choice. I played basketball and football before moving to Bixby, but baseball has always been my passion." Going from the renowned baseball team of Bishop Kelley to winning a state championship for Bixby has said a lot about Heath. During regionals, Heath saved the Spartans in the last second during the playoffs, completing walk-off home runs and obtaining three RBIs in different sets of games to put them in the championship game. Both Matt and Heath know what it takes to win. It requires a lot of dedication and teamwork. "Teamwork is really how we got to the state championship," Heath mentioned. "We had different players step up and make a difference in every playoff game. It was a great way to end the season." Without everyone pitching in, both the Spartans and the Rockies would not be where they are today. "Our team is really unique," Matt says of his time with the Rockies. "Because most of us came up through the system together it's been more fun and more of a family atmosphere. It made last season a lot more memorable since we've gone through it all together. It was an even greater accomplishment for our team to get to the World Series last season." With both cousins being raised in a family of baseball, they have learned and experienced a lot that many have not had the benefit of. "I'm really lucky to have a Dad (Dave Holliday) who works in Major League Baseball," Heath said. "It's given me the opportunity to be around a lot of great players and to see the game played right. "I've gotten to experience some awesome All Star Games, Home Run Derbys and even the World Series. One of the most important things I've learned is that baseball is a game of failure and you have to always continue to work and improve in the game. The Rockies last year were a perfect example of a team who was counted out and never gave up. I felt that my team sort of followed their philosophy. We really came through when it counted." However, Heath was not the only one who felt this way. With Matt having his dad (Tom Holliday) coaching baseball for most of his life, he and his brother, Josh Holliday, (coaching at Arizona State), have both learned the way baseball is supposed to be played, and how to respect the game. "I've always looked up to Matt and Josh," Heath said. "When you have two cousins who can play the game the way they do, you feel like the luckiest kid in the world. Growing up watching them excel in every sport, it's hard not to want to follow them." "They both even called me before the state championship game to wish me luck," Heath added. Having role models, who are relatives, has always been an advantage in Heath's life. Through their experiences, Heath wishes to take what he has learned from them and pursue his career in the Major Leagues. Being a role model for not only Heath, but also many other younger players out there is vital to Matt Holliday. For Heath's years to come, Matt wanted to give some guidance tips to Heath. "To work hard to get stronger," he said. "Don't let a bad game bother you, just keep going out every day and make yourself better. Just respect the game and go out and have fun." It's advice that Heath can always count on, especially when it comes from his cousin, a prominent superstar on the professional level.