Snkrs Day: Your family has a rich legacy in baseball. How does being part of such a storied family influence your approach to the game?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nETHAN: I would say it’s helped me a lot growing up, but as far as my approach to the game, I try not to think too much about it. Obviously, I’m very thankful to have my family, who’s given me so many opportunities in baseball. But I mean, I wouldn’t say it really influences my approach to the game, but obviously it all helped me become a better player and a better person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m just really thankful. And I think that our family is awesome. This doesn’t really change my approach to the game, but definitely helps me as a player.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
JACKSON: I think it more influences us in the offseason of how to train, how to take care of ourselves as far as diet and health. I think that is probably where we’re more influenced in how we take care of ourselves and how we train and smaller details that maybe go a little bit more unnoticed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Snkrs Day: Do you guys feel prepared for like a moment like this where you’re<\/strong> talking to media or where you’re announcing something? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nJACKSON: Yeah, I think it’s helped me be a better teammate and know how to navigate different teammates and different personalities. I think being a teammate is extremely important and for me, as a 20-year- old being in a big-league clubhouse, being able to be around older guys and find commonalities. I think that is also an extreme advantage that we have, and obviously doing interviews and being in media growing up and \u2014 yeah, it’s very helpful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
ETHAN: Yeah, it’s just being able to kinda see how Jackson went through all this. It’s, given me an edge on other people that are trying to navigate through this interesting phase of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Snkrs Day: What is your ultimate goal in baseball and how do you stay focused on achieving it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nETHAN: I mean, I think the big picture: My identity is not in baseball. And I love the game, and I’m just gonna try to become 1% better every single day. And obviously, the goal of being in the Hall of Fame, the goal of playing the major leagues has always kind of been my dream. But my ultimate goal in baseball is how many lives can I touch? How many \u2014 how many people can I impact and just share the love of the game and\u2026 Yeah, that question\u2019s actually tripped me up in a few interviews because the guys like well, what are you focused on in baseball? And I’m like, well, I focus on getting better. What would you say, Jax?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
JACKSON: Play winning baseball your entire career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
ETHAN: Yeah, I wanna play winning baseball and just be the best version I can be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\nSnkrs Day: As someone with immense potential, this kind of goes back to what we just talked about actually. But as someone with immense potential, how do you handle the pressure and expectations that are placed on you at a young age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nETHAN: Yeah, kinda going back to the first question, one of the most \u2014 not luxury things, but like one of the things I’m thankful for is just having a family that’s kinda never really put much pressure on me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My dad’s never been never put pressure on me. Jackson’s never put pressure on me, nor my mom. Nobody’s ever put pressure on me to play the game. I just fell in love with it and I love playing. I love training. And like the pressure and expectations \u2014those things have kind of always been there since I was really little with my dad playing in St. Louis and playing youth baseball there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ever since Jackson’s draft it has kicked up a notch in different ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But just like I said, like not having my identity stuck in the sport and just kind of living for one and that’s helped me so much. It takes so much pressure off, and I get to live free, I get to play free and I don’t \u2014 I mean the pressure and expectations. I’m not gonna say that I can just handle them always easily, they never get to me. But like, they do. Just like, just like anyone that has felt pressure, and has had expectations, and you feel like you’re short of exceeding them, it gets hard. But I’ve been able to handle it at a young age, which has really helped me, and I’ve really grown from it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\nSnkrs Day: What steps are you taking to prepare for the next phase of your baseball career, whether it’s college or professional?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nETHAN: I would say obviously growing as a player but just maturing as a person and kind of just growing every single day. So many ways you can grow as a person and just continue that, being around good people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I’m gonna work hard every single day. I’m gonna give it my all. And yeah, I’m taking those steps and it’s just everyday work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Snkrs Day: Let’s go one more kind of on this general subject: What’s some of the best advice you received from your family about excelling in baseball and in life?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nETHAN: My best advice would just be giving your life to the Lord. That’s what’s changed my life. That’s what’s made navigating through a kind of a crazy time, just so much easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And in baseball, just enjoying it, just enjoying your teammates, enjoying the process of it all and the journey of it. That’s the best advice I can give. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And baseball’s a crazy sport. It’s kind of different than really any other sport. Or when it comes to the mental side and just going about it every single day, like you’re gonna play every day, and you’re gonna, you’re gonna fail a lot more than you succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So just staying grounded, staying with your firm foundation, the people that surround you, that’s so huge and just going about your business every day. Just taking it moment by moment. Yeah, I mean that’s about as best advice as I can give.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Snkrs Day: How do you prepare mentally and physically for each season? Is there anything unique about your offseason training?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nETHAN: I prepare a lot with my body. I’m trying to get stronger and faster but also feel good. And I mean for baseball, we get after it in the offseason, like we hit just about every single day, we take ground balls every day, and just trying to become better. Like baseball’s a tough game. So yeah, I just think about going at it every single day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Snkrs Day: How important is nutrition and recovery?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nETHAN: Nutrition’s huge. My parents have always kind of on us about eating healthy. ‘Cause, I mean what you put in your body is going to impact how you’re gonna feel. This offseason, I’ve taken a kind of a leap of really being pretty disciplined on my food. You know, sometimes I’ll eat a cookie here and there, but I’ve been crushing protein. I’ve been trying to stay away from a bunch of sugars and processed foods \u2014 it’s really important. And recovery is huge \u2014 red light, we do a lot of red light and saunas, which is sweet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\nSnkrs Day: I’m excited to quote you as saying, \u201cI’ve been crushing protein.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n[Laughs] Yeah. We’ve been crushing steak and burgers like every day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Snkrs Day: What do you focus on improving during the offseason versus in season? You also hit on this a little bit already, but maybe a little bit more on offseason versus in season training.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nETHAN: The offseason, it’s probably trying to make as big of gains as you can make in kind of a short period of time you have. You’re just, you’re trying to get better and you’re trying to make big jumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And in season, you’re still trying to make huge, huge jumps and gains every single day, but obviously you still have to \u2014 you’re busy playing for high school, you’re playing four to five games a week. In Jackson’s case, he’s playing every single day. So just trying to feel good every single day. Just being able to stay on the field, but also try to get better. I mean baseball, you’re always. You’re always gonna work on something. So yeah, I mean just trying to become a better player.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Snkrs Day: How do you balance skill development with building strength? So you know you have to get better skill wise, but also you need to build strength and endurance. How do you balance that?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nETHAN: Really just having a routine every day of, I’m gonna get right with my body. Whether it’s speed work, lifting, recovery. But you’re also, in that same day, you’re also hitting, you\u2019re fielding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It’s kind of easier for us to balance it because we’ve always, we’ve grown up seeing it with my dad, which has been huge for us and just being able to balance it. And not overdoing it. You can overdo it at times, so I feel like we do a really a good job of balancing it and improving at all of the aspects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Snkrs Day: And then last one is how do you approach film study and understanding opponents? Is that a part of your preparation?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nETHAN: Jackson’s probably a little different. Just ’cause he kinda has a little more resources when it comes to that during the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For me, like high school baseball, you’re gonna see maybe one video of the kid you’re facing. And I do look at those \u2014 I’ll go on Instagram or Safari and look up the kid we\u2019re facing and just try to see some arm slots and kind of what he has to offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the summer, you kind of get a little more just ’cause they have cameras everywhere, but as like a prep player, I don’t get that many resources on my opponents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But for Jackson, I know it’s huge, just being able to see these pictures and what they’ve got. And yeah, I mean, it’s, as a baseball player, it’s a huge part of your preparation, but unfortunately, I don’t really have the resources to get super in-depth with some of the guys I get to face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\nSnkrs Day: Ok, let’s talk gear. You’ve been seen wearing the new Adizero Edge+ cleat. What are your thoughts on how it performs on the field?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nETHAN: These cleats are really unique, and they’re really awesome for me. Being able to wear them has been an honor. The technology, the look, the feel, everything about them has been great.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I don’t feel like they\u2019re a normal cleat \u2014 like they’re the most innovative cleat Adidas has ever dropped, and they’re awesome. And yeah, I mean they perform great. I’ve been practicing in them every day. They’re special.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Snkrs Day: How important is footwear to your game? What do you look for in a cleat?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nJACKSON: The right footwear pretty important as a baseball player ’cause we’re playing in cleats every day. I like my cleats to be really light, and I like them to feel like I’m comfortable and stable. And I think the Edge+ cleat is definitely a perfect combination of that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think it’s my favorite cleat that Adidas has made, and I’m really looking forward to wearing it during the season. But for me, it’s comfort and feeling like I’m fast, and I think they definitely covered everything with this one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Snkrs Day: Ethan, do you feel that the lightweight design of the Edge+ gives you an edge in speed, agility, etc.?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nETHAN: Yeah, for sure. Like the Adizero Edge+, for a bigger guy like me, I kinda need the stability that it offers and also being able to feel fast and have the agility on the field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that’s just been huge. I guess that’s been the difference maker for me. Just feeling like I’m stable, but also lightweight and being able to move around comfortably. That’s been huge for me and that’s a blessing for someone that’s always kind of had cleat issues. So, it’s been great.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\nSnkrs Day: What role does your partnership with adidas play in your development as an athlete?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
ETHAN: Being able to have adidas as a resource, as a family aspect and just kind of have that comfort of a company that can back you up and support you in your development. And I’m very thankful for it. And really it\u2019s, it’s surreal to even say that adidas is supporting me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It’s incredible and it plays a big role, being able to represent the brand. And just, I mean hopefully grow the brand as much as I can and it’s really \u2014 it’s really cool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
JACKSON: I don’t know if this has anything to really do with it, but I think it’s really fun to just be able to wear adidas and then when guys have questions or interest in the company, just be able to share that with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I know there’s a guy on our team with the Orioles that was sending me cleat pictures, and he’s like, which ones do you like? And I’m like, well, these are my three favorite. And then he’s like, yeah, I’m done with this company, I’m switching, these are great. I don’t know why, like, I think that part’s cool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And we’ve had high school kids coming in, and the kids wearing adidas, and I’m like, you want some batting gloves, and I give them and show them the brand new cleats. And I\u2019m like, this is awesome. So, I think that that part’s cool for me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Snkrs Day: You can have fun with this answer if you wish. If you could customize a cleat with adidas, what features or designs would you incorporate to reflect your personality and playing style?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nJACKSON: Oh wow. Dang, I don’t know. That’s a tough question, honestly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cleats that adidas sent me are pretty ideal for me. I think that’s exactly \u2014 the custom ones that I have are my favorite that I’ve ever seen, and I would just wear a bunch of those so\u2026 that’s about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I asked them if I could put spikes on Sambas, because I wear a lot of Sambas, so maybe one day we can, we can get that to work. Yeah, especially for batting practice. Think it would be fun to wear them in summer for BP. Don\u2019t think I could break them out during the games, but for BP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Snkrs Day: I actually love that answer. Ethan, do you have any thoughts on what you like in a custom cleat? Bright colors, or like features or anything in particular that sticks out?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nETHAN: I feel like with Anthony Edwards and Damian Lillard and some of those guys that have, like, their signature basketball shoe, that would be super sick to have a basketball-baseball collab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kinda like to customize, team up with one of those guys and make like a baseball cleat that resembles what they’re doing and combine it with baseball. That would be really cool.<\/p>\n\n\n\nChatGPT interpretation of an Adidas Samba with cleats<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nSnkrs Day: Love it. Well I have a feeling like I might know the answer to this, but what is your favorite Adidas sneaker to wear off the diamond?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nJACKSON: Yeah, I’m big Samba guy. I wear a lot of Sambas. I’ve been venturing over into, soccer shoes for training, ’cause they’re really flat and really light. So, I’ve been training in a little bit more of street-looking soccer shoes, which I guess Sambas are, but I wear a lot of Sambas. Yeah, I think those are my favorite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
ETHAN: I’m a huge Campus guy. The Campuses are like, my go-to every day. I rock \u2018em all over the place.I train in the Turf shoes, which are probably the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn for training. The Patrick Mahomes shoes are sweet too, to train in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But I’m a huge Campus guy, I wear the Campuses all the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Snkrs Day: Love it. Alright, last one, then we’ll get you guys out of here. Which adidas athlete would you like to meet the most? There’s a long list of guys right now out there.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nETHAN: I mean, I watch all of Travis Hunter’s YouTube videos, so probably Travis Hunter right now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Like all those guys are obviously awesome, like Patrick Mahomes. Are you kidding? He’s the best quarterback ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I mean, Messi’s the greatest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The list goes on, but Travis Hunter \u2014 I watch his YouTube videos. So, I feel like I already know him, so I feel like I think we could click. I feel like we could be friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
JACKSON: I’m a big basketball guy, so I’ll go Anthony Edwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think I have a better chance of probably meeting Patrick Mahomes. Just because I know he’s a big baseball guy with the Royals. And so I’ll go Anthony Edwards ’cause, that would be, that would be pretty sweet. I like to watch basketball.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
adidas\u00a0announced today that\u00a0Ethan Holliday, the nation\u2019s #1 high school baseball\u00a0recruit and one of the most\u00a0highly\u00a0anticipated prospects in years, has joined…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":149,"featured_media":1300804,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[],"cultivate_rss":[],"class_list":{"2":"type-post"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
Diamond Certified: Ethan Holliday Talks about Baseball Legacy, Adidas Partnership, and Goals on and off Field | Snkrs Day<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n