It’s been 33 years since someone not named “Ripken” has worn No. 7 for the Baltimore Orioles, going back to 1981 and Mark Belanger’s last season with the team.
But that was the number that Cal Ripken Sr. Was wearing when he was fired during the O’s 0-21 start in that horrendous 1988 season. According to popular belief, the family was upset with the team unfairly making him the scapegoat of the season in such a popular way, and arranged for number seven to be off-limits after son Billy claimed the number for the rest of the season, his last with the club.
If you ask me, it’s time to unlock number seven – especially for someone like Jackson Holliday – as the franchise pivots to exciting promise for the first time in generations. The 2022 first-round pick’s father Matt wore seven in his MLB career, and Jackson wore it to begin his pro career in Delmarva before switching to 18 for the rest of his tear through his short trip through the minors. In Baltimore, skipper Brandon Hyde has claimed those digits.
The number is also featured on the Holliday’s home outfield fence with “Holliday” scripted underneath.
Letting Jackson Holliday wear No. 7 is more fitting for a No. 1 draft pick and a generational talent than the wide-receiver-esque number 87 he’s wearing now in spring training, which will surely change.
According to Roch Kubatko, the kid hasn’t requested anything of the sort.
Holliday is wearing No. 87 in camp. He didn’t request it, and it doesn’t hold special meaning. He’s a middle infielder with a tight end’s digits.
Holliday gladly will relinquish it after he reaches the majors, whether that’s Opening Day or later. But what’s the alternative?
The kid knows his Orioles history or is asking the right people, because he understands that No. 7 is unofficially retired for Cal Ripken Sr., architect of the Oriole Way and last worn by son Billy in 1988.
Holliday wore No. 18 with Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk, but Hyde owns it with the Orioles.
I speculated last month that Holliday could take 12, which belonged to Adam Frazier before he signed with the Royals. Holliday wore it during the Perfect Game National Showcase in 2021.
I also recommended No. 1, last worn by Richie Martin in 2022. Holliday looks like a one. He’s the No. 1 prospect in baseball and a first-overall pick, which is 1/1.
Holliday would consider it, but he also is thinking about No. 15, which his father, Matt, wore with the Cardinals because Albert Pujols had No. 5.
Still, it would be a great gesture by the organization to approach Holliday with the offer, and let him choose to decline it if he’d prefer. Let’s start anew by unleashing number seven. It won’t diminish the legacy of Cal Sr., who has remained one of the more cherished men in team history with role as a coach before he became manager.
9 Responses
Numbers are numbers, and they can be used to talk about past team players with that # or other greats with that # to keep their name and play alive. Though I hold the #3 in high esteem for the late great Dale Earnhardt it’s really hard to compare anyone to him regardless of the #. Richard Petty was great in # 43 yet he let’s others field the#
What a dumb and disrespecting opinion.
I agree with you! Funny we haven’t heard from Jackson, only some 🤡 who wants to stir the pot!
#7 was my child hood hero Mickey Mantle. Even as a long time Orioles fan I didnt know Cal Rioken Sr wore it. I would like to see if Jackson Holiday can take up the mantle of generational superstar. I would let him have it.
They should ask the Ripken family first. Knowing the kind of people they are, they would surely say yes. And then Jackson Holliday would be very proud to wear no. “7” his entire career. If it were me, I would want to wear my Dad’s number.
Matt Holliday wore 5 with Rockies and A’s, 15 initially and then 7 with Cardinals, 17 with Yankees, and 7 to finish with Rockies.
…5 is clearly off limits and 7 probably is too. His dad wasn’t great in that Yankees year but maybe he goes 17? Or 5+7 is 12 haha
A number is a.number, it means nothing
5 is off limits though, ask Holiday what he’d prefer , than ask the person who it belongs to now
The funniest, and dumbest thing in this story/opinion/column is the first line (combined with what’s before it).
Orioles #7 is Belanger all the way for me. Ripken Sr is 47 in my mind!