Alex Avila
A cerebral catcher whose defensive mastery and keen eye at the plate made him a valued asset on contending teams for over a decade.
Born 1987 (age 39)·American baseball player·Birthday: January 29·Millennials
Biography
Alex Avila carved out a 13-year major league career not with flashy tools, but with a pitcher's mind behind the mask and a disciplined approach beside it. The son of longtime baseball executive Al Avila, he was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in 2008 and became their starting catcher by 2011, earning an All-Star nod that same year. Avila was known for his exceptional game-calling, framing pitches to steal strikes and building trust with his pitching staffs. While concussions occasionally sidetracked him, his value was clear to teams in a playoff hunt. He became a sought-after veteran presence, playing for the Cubs, Diamondbacks, Twins, and Nationals, often serving as a mentor to younger catchers and pitchers. His left-handed swing, built for patience and occasional power, produced key hits in big moments. Avila retired as a respected baseball lifer, a bridge between the analytical and human elements of the game.
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.
Alex was born in 1987, 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 Alex Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Alex's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Could drive
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2005Could vote
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
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Selected as an American League All-Star in 2011 while with the Detroit Tigers.
- Played a key role on the 2016 Chicago Cubs team that won the World Series, appearing in the postseason.
- Finished in the top 10 in the American League in on-base percentage in 2011.
- Caught no-hitters for two different teams: Justin Verlander's second no-hitter in 2011 and combined no-hitters for the Chicago Cubs in 2021.
Did You Know?
He is the son of Al Avila, who served as the General Manager of the Detroit Tigers from 2015 to 2022.
Avila attended the University of Alabama, where he played college baseball for the Crimson Tide.
He was traded from the Tigers to the Cubs in 2017 for prospects that included Isaac Paredes.
His godfather is Hall of Fame catcher Ivan 'Pudge' Rodriguez.
“My job is to get the pitcher through the game, whatever it takes.”
