Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Matt Holliday

Discover the career path of Matt Holliday, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Matt Holliday is a retired MLB left fielder who played from 2004 to 2018. He is a World Series champion (2011) with the St. Louis Cardinals, and he played an integral role in seven postseasons, including the Colorado Rockies' first World Series appearance (2007). His accomplishments include a National League batting title, NL Championship Series MVP (2007), seven All-Star selections, and four Silver Slugger Awards. He also achieved over 300 home runs and 2,000 hits during his career, and he had a batting average over .300 eight times.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1997: USA Junior National Team Competitor

In 1997, Matt Holliday competed for the USA Junior National Team while at Stillwater High School.

1998: Drafted by the Rockies

In 1998, the Colorado Rockies selected Matt Holliday in the seventh round of the MLB draft.

1999: Plays for Asheville Tourists

In 1999, Matt Holliday played for the Asheville Tourists, batting .264 with 16 home runs and 76 runs scored.

2000: Plays for Salem

In 2000, Matt Holliday played for Salem, totaling 510 plate appearances with 126 hits and batting .274.

2001: Move to Outfield

In 2001, the Rockies moved Matt Holliday to the outfield. He was named the Carolina League Player of the Month for June.

2002: All-Star Nod and Hitter of the Week Accolades

In 2002, Matt Holliday was named a mid-season All-Star in the AA Southern League and won the league's Hitter of the Week twice.

2003: Plays for Tulsa Drillers

In 2003, Matt Holliday played for the Tulsa Drillers of the Texas League, batting .253 with 28 doubles and 72 RBI.

2004: Olympic Qualifying Tournament

In 2003, Matt Holliday earned a spot on the USA Baseball team in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Panama, but they were eliminated from the 2004 Summer Olympics.

2004: MLB Debut

In 2004, Matt Holliday began his Major League Baseball (MLB) career, playing until 2018.

2004: MLB Debut with Rockies

In 2004, Matt Holliday made his major league debut with the Colorado Rockies on April 16 at Busch Memorial Stadium against the St. Louis Cardinals.

2005: First Home Run of the Season

In 2005, Matt Holliday hit his first home run of the season on May 17 against Noah Lowry of the San Francisco Giants.

May 1, 2006: RBI Accumulation

By May 1, 2006, Matt Holliday had accumulated 24 RBI in 25 games.

September 19, 2006: Longest Home Run of the Season

On September 19, 2006, Matt Holliday hit the longest home run of the 2006 MLB season against Matt Cain of the Giants, estimated at 496 feet.

2006: Rockies Pick Up Holliday's Option

The Rockies picked up Matt Holliday's option for 2006, worth $500,000.

2007: Evolving Hitter and All-Star Selection

In 2007, Matt Holliday evolved as a hitter, shifting in the Rockies' lineup and achieving career-high hitting streaks. He was selected for the All-Star Game for the second consecutive season and participated in the Home Run Derby. Holliday demonstrated exceptional performance with high numbers in doubles, home runs, RBI, hits, average, and slugging percentage.

2007: Rockies' First World Series Appearance

In 2007, Matt Holliday played a key role in the Colorado Rockies' first-ever World Series appearance.

2007: NL Player of the Week and Month

In 2007, Matt Holliday was named NL Player of the Week for his outstanding performance, hitting six home runs and leading the NL in multiple categories. In September 2007, he hit 11 home runs in 12 games and reached his 100th career home run and 200th hit of the season. He was awarded NL Player of the Month as the Rockies won 13 of their last 14 games and received increased attention for the MVP award.

January 18, 2008: Holliday Signs Two-Year Contract with Rockies

On January 18, 2008, Matt Holliday signed a two-year, $23 million contract with the Rockies, covering his final two years of arbitration. The Rockies also offered a four-year extension, but negotiations stalled due to disagreements over the contract's value.

November 12, 2008: Holliday Traded to Oakland Athletics

On November 12, 2008, Matt Holliday was traded by the Rockies to the Oakland Athletics for pitchers Huston Street and Greg Smith, and outfielder Carlos González. Holliday began working with Mark McGwire as a personal hitting coach during the off-season.

July 24, 2009: Holliday Traded to St. Louis Cardinals

On July 24, 2009, the Oakland Athletics traded Matt Holliday to the St. Louis Cardinals for prospects Brett Wallace, Clayton Mortensen, Shane Peterson, and $1.5 million. He immediately upgraded the Cardinals' offense, batting in the cleanup spot behind Albert Pujols and was issued jersey number 15.

2009: Holliday's Richest Contract

In the 2009-2010 offseason, Matt Holliday's contract became the richest contract in the history of his team. This cemented his place as a key player for the Cardinals.

January 21, 2010: Holliday Signs Seven-Year Deal with Cardinals

On January 21, 2010, the Cardinals signed Matt Holliday to a seven-year, $120 million deal, and he switched his uniform number to 7. The contract included a full no-trade clause and an option for 2017. At the Cardinals' Winter Warm Up, he was given the nickname "The Stillwater Stinger".

2010: Free Agency and All-Star Recognition

In 2010, Matt Holliday filed for free agency and finished 16th in the NL MVP voting despite playing nearly 100 games in the American League. The trades involving Holliday were later criticized as failures for the Athletics, as two of the players they dealt away became multiple All-Stars.

2011: World Series Champion

In 2011, Matt Holliday won the World Series as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals.

2011: Appendectomy and All-Star Game Appearance

In 2011, after hitting a home run on Opening Day, Matt Holliday had an emergency appendectomy but returned just nine days later. He made his fifth MLB All-Star Game appearance and third Home Run Derby. Holliday also dealt with an unusual injury when a moth lodged itself in his ear during a game.

2011: First World Series Ring

Starting in 2011, Matt Holliday batted .435 with a .652 slugging percentage in the NLCS, winning his first World Series ring with the Cardinals.

August 8, 2012: Reached Base Streak and All-Star Selection

In 2012, Matt Holliday reached base in 41 straight starts from June 22 to August 8. He was named to the NL All-Star team as a replacement and hit the longest home run recorded at Busch Stadium, traveling 469 feet, on July 21. Holliday also had a strong performance against Cincinnati on August 26, nearly hitting for the cycle, and collected his 1,500th career hit on August 30.

June 9, 2013: Grand Slam Against Reds

On June 9, 2013, Matt Holliday hit a grand slam during a seven-run 10th inning against the Reds. Later, he sustained a tightened right hamstring, leading to a stint on the DL. In a game against the Reds on August 26, Holliday's three-run home run was the longest at Busch Stadium in 2013 at 442 feet.

2013: Postseason Performance and World Series Appearance

In 2013, the Cardinals clinched the best record in the NL, giving Matt Holliday his fifth career postseason entrance. He hit a crucial home run in the NLDS against the Pirates and helped the Cardinals advance to the World Series against the Red Sox. Though the Red Sox won, Holliday had a strong postseason, hitting four home runs and 10 RBI.

2014: Reached Base Streak and Career Milestones

In 2014, Matt Holliday reached base in each of his first 30 home games. On June 17, he drove in his 1,000th career run. On July 19, while batting against Dan Haren, Holliday hit his 400th career double and hit a 435 feet home run for his 1,000th run scored.

2015: Reached Base Streak

In 2015, Matt Holliday began the season with a 12-game hitting streak, extending into a 45-game on-base streak, breaking Albert Pujols's National League record. His streak ended on June 2 against the Brewers after an ejection. Dating back to the end of 2014, his on-base streak spanned 47 games.

August 11, 2016: Fractured Thumb

On August 11, 2016, Matt Holliday was struck on the right thumb by a 94 mph fastball from Mike Montgomery, resulting in a fracture. He was placed on the DL by the Cardinals and elected to undergo surgery in hopes of returning before the end of the season.

December 7, 2016: Signed with the New York Yankees

On December 7, 2016, Matt Holliday signed a one-year contract with the New York Yankees worth $13 million, becoming their primary designated hitter. The contract included an unusual no-trade clause to the Oakland Athletics.

2016: First Base Debut and Milestone Hits

In 2016, Matt Holliday debuted at first base for the Cardinals. He achieved his 512th hit at Busch Stadium on May 6 and became the only active player with at least 500 hits at multiple stadiums. On May 30, he hit a 466-foot home run, and the next day, he collected his 1,000th career hit with the Cardinals.

April 4, 2017: First RBI and Double for the Yankees

On April 4, 2017, Matt Holliday recorded his first RBI and double for the Yankees in a game versus the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field, contributing to a 5-0 win.

2017: Contract Option

Matt Holliday's seven-year contract with the Cardinals included a $17 million team option for 2017 or a $1 million buyout. This option was part of the original agreement made in 2010.