Aaron Hicks
A gifted center fielder with a cannon for an arm, his career was a rollercoaster of spectacular potential and persistent injury battles.
Born 1989 (age 37)·American baseball player·Birthday: October 2·Millennials
Biography
Aaron Hicks entered professional baseball as a first-round pick, a toolsy athlete whose promise was as clear as his powerful throwing arm. His early years with the Minnesota Twins were a study in frustration, as his raw talent struggled to translate into consistent major league production. A trade to the New York Yankees in 2016 marked a turning point; given the everyday center field job, he finally blossomed. In 2018, he became a crucial two-way player for a 100-win Yankees team, hitting 27 home runs and playing elite defense. His career, however, was repeatedly derailed by injuries, from a debilitating back issue to Tommy John surgery. These setbacks limited his time on the field, creating a narrative of 'what could have been' for a player whose combination of power, patience at the plate, and defensive brilliance was so evident in his healthy stretches.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Aaron was born in 1989, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Aaron Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Aaron's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2007Could vote
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- He hit a walk-off home run in the 11th inning of the 2017 American League Wild Card Game while with the Yankees.
- In 2018, he set career highs with 27 home runs and 79 RBIs while playing stellar defense in center field.
- He was drafted in the first round (14th overall) by the Minnesota Twins in the 2008 MLB Draft.
- He recorded 11 outfield assists in 2018, showcasing one of the strongest arms in baseball.
Did You Know?
He was a standout two-sport athlete in high school, also playing basketball.
He is one of few major leaguers to have undergone Tommy John surgery as a position player.
He played for Team USA in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.
His father, Joseph Hicks, was a former professional football player in the Canadian Football League (CFL).
“You have to trust your preparation when you step into that batter's box.”
