Addison Russell
A gifted shortstop whose early promise with the Chicago Cubs was overshadowed by personal and professional controversies.
Born 1994 (age 32)·American baseball player·Birthday: January 23·Millennials
Biography
Addison Russell's baseball career was a story of meteoric rise and a precipitous fall. Drafted in the first round by Oakland, he was quickly traded to the Chicago Cubs, where he became a central piece of their historic rebuild. His defensive wizardry at shortstop and potent bat made him an All-Star by age 22, and he was the starting shortstop when the Cubs broke their 108-year championship drought in 2016. Yet, his time at the summit was brief. Off-field issues, including a suspension under MLB's domestic violence policy, derailed his trajectory. After his release from the Cubs, his journey became one of baseball nomadism, with stops in Korea and Mexico, a stark contrast to the franchise cornerstone he was once projected to be.
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.
Addison was born in 1994, 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 Addison Was Born
The biggest hits of 1994
#1 Movie
The Lion King
Best Picture
Forrest Gump
#1 TV Show
Seinfeld
Addison's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1994Born
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
1999Started school
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2007Became a teenager
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
2010Could drive
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
2012Could vote
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2015Turned 21
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2024Turned 30
AI reshapes industries; Paris Olympics
Gas: $3.31/galHome: $372,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Espresso" — Sabrina CarpenterBest Picture: Anora
2026Age 32 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the World Series as the starting shortstop for the Chicago Cubs in 2016.
- Named a National League All-Star in 2016.
- Was ranked the third-best prospect in all of baseball by Baseball America in 2015.
Did You Know?
He was drafted as a shortstop but initially played second base for the Cubs to accommodate Starlin Castro.
In the 2016 World Series, he drove in the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly in the decisive Game 7.
He played for the Kiwoom Heroes in the Korean Baseball Organization during the 2021 season.
“I lost my swing trying to hit home runs instead of just making contact.”
