Adley Rutschman Jokes About Golf Rivalry With Orioles Teammate Jackson Holliday
The Baltimore Orioles are aiming to bounce back after a frustrating season, but inside the clubhouse the atmosphere still includes plenty of humor and camaraderie. Recently, star catcher Adley Rutschman gave fans a glimpse into one of the more entertaining friendships on the roster — his playful rivalry with young infielder Jackson Holliday.
During an appearance on the baseball talk show Foul Territory, Rutschman spoke openly about the lighthearted relationship he shares with the Orioles’ rising star, particularly when the two hit the golf course together.
According to Rutschman, the friendly competition often turns into a playful exchange of trash talk — although Holliday rarely responds.
Adley Rutschman Loves “Chirping” at Jackson Holliday
Rutschman explained that one of his favorite parts of golfing with Holliday is teasing the young infielder throughout the round.
“Jackson’s great, man, he’s great,” Rutschman said during the interview. “But I do enjoy any time we golf together. I like talking, I like chirping in his ear.”
Rutschman joked that while he constantly talks during their rounds, Holliday usually keeps quiet and refuses to respond to the playful trash talk.
Still, the Orioles catcher believes the comments are getting to him — even if the young star refuses to show it.
“He just doesn’t say anything back,” Rutschman added. “But I know it gets under his skin. One of these days, he’s gonna crack and fire back with something hurtful.”
The friendly banter highlights the strong chemistry developing among Baltimore’s young core players.
Golf Course Trash Talk Adds to the Fun
During the interview, former MLB catcher A. J. Pierzynski asked Rutschman what kind of comments he might expect from Holliday if the infielder finally decided to respond.
Rutschman laughed and suggested some possible insults Holliday might throw his way during a bad shot.
For example, he joked that Holliday could criticize his swing by saying something like:
“Terrible wedge shot… you have the hands of a brick maker.”
Although Rutschman admitted he has never actually used that line himself, the comment perfectly captured the playful nature of their rivalry.
Moments like these show that even in the high-pressure environment of professional baseball, players still find ways to enjoy the game and bond with teammates.
Rutschman Still Undefeated Against Holliday
While the two Orioles teammates may enjoy teasing each other on the golf course, Rutschman made sure to point out one important detail: Holliday has not beaten him yet.
According to the catcher, he still holds the bragging rights in their friendly golf competition.
However, their rivalry may have to wait a bit longer to continue.
Holliday is currently recovering from a broken hamate bone, an injury that could potentially sideline him for the start of the 2026 season.
Because of that setback, the two players have not yet had a chance to face off on the golf course this spring.
Jackson Holliday Continues His Rise in MLB
Despite the injury, the Orioles remain extremely optimistic about Jackson Holliday’s future.
Holliday was selected first overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, immediately becoming one of the most highly anticipated prospects in baseball.
The young infielder completed his first full Major League season last year and showed significant improvement compared to his rookie campaign.
Across 149 games, Holliday recorded a .690 OPS, a notable step forward from the .595 OPS he posted in 60 games the previous season.
At just 22 years old, the Orioles believe he still has enormous room for growth.
If he continues developing offensively while maintaining strong defensive play, Holliday could soon become one of the most important players on the roster.
Adley Rutschman Looking to Bounce Back
Meanwhile, Adley Rutschman is also hoping to rebound after a challenging season.
Like Holliday, Rutschman entered the league with enormous expectations after being selected first overall in the 2019 MLB Draft.
Since then, he has become the centerpiece of the Orioles’ lineup and a leader in the clubhouse. The catcher has already earned two All-Star selections, demonstrating his value both offensively and defensively.
However, the 2025 season was the most difficult of his young career.
Rutschman finished the year with a .673 OPS and just nine home runs, both career lows since reaching the major leagues.
For a player widely considered one of the best young catchers in baseball, those numbers fell short of expectations.
Orioles Hoping Their Young Stars Lead a Comeback
The Orioles are counting on both Rutschman and Holliday to play major roles in the team’s resurgence during the 2026 season.
After missing the playoffs last year despite high expectations, Baltimore is determined to return to contention in the competitive American League East.
If Rutschman regains his All-Star form and Holliday continues his development into a franchise cornerstone, the Orioles could quickly become a dangerous team again.
Beyond the statistics, the strong friendships within the clubhouse may also help fuel the team’s success.
The playful golf rivalry between Adley Rutschman and Jackson Holliday is just one example of the chemistry forming among Baltimore’s young core.
And if that chemistry translates onto the baseball field, the Orioles may soon find themselves back in the postseason conversation.
