Jackson Holliday will be wearing a jersey number that is very important to the Baltimore Orioles when he makes his MLB debut on Wednesday night, and the star prospect sought permission first.
The Orioles announced on Wednesday that the have officially called up Holliday from Triple-A Norfolk. Holliday will wear No. 7, which is the same number O’s legend Cal Ripken Sr. wore as a player and manager for the franchise for more than 35 years. The last player to wear No. 7 in Baltimore was Billy Ripken in 1988 before the number was unofficially retired when Cal Sr. died in 1999.
Billy Ripken currently works as an analyst for MLB Network. He revealed on Wednesday morning that the Holliday family reached out to the Ripken family for their blessing before Jackson decided to wear No. 7 with the Orioles.
“I can’t think of a better way to honor Senior,” Billy said.