Alex Cobb
A cerebral pitcher whose career was defined by a devastating split-changeup and a relentless comeback from major arm surgery.
Born 1987 (age 39)·American baseball player·Birthday: October 7·Millennials
Biography
Alex Cobb’s path in baseball has been one of refined craft and resilience. Emerging from the Tampa Bay Rays' system, he quickly distinguished himself not with overpowering velocity but with a signature pitch—a split-changeup that dove violently at the plate, baffling hitters. His early promise with the Rays, however, hit a brutal obstacle in 2015 when a line drive struck him in the head, followed by the even more daunting challenge of Tommy John surgery. Many careers fade after such setbacks, but Cobb rebuilt his, adapting his style as he moved through Baltimore, Los Angeles, and ultimately San Francisco. With the Giants, he experienced a late-career renaissance, harnessing his sinker and that still-effective changeup to become a rotation anchor, proving that pitching intellect can triumph over time and physical trials.
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
- Finished sixth in American League Cy Young Award voting in 2013 after posting a 2.76 ERA for the Tampa Bay Rays.
- Pitched a one-hit shutout against the Kansas City Royals in 2014, taking a no-hitter into the eighth inning.
- Recorded a career-best 3.87 strikeout-to-walk ratio during his resurgent 2022 season with the San Francisco Giants.
- Made over 25 starts in a season five times, demonstrating durability after recovering from major elbow surgery.
Did You Know?
His father, a former minor league pitcher, taught him his signature split-changeup grip when he was just nine years old.
He is an avid deep-sea fisherman and has participated in professional fishing tournaments.
Cobb was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the same 2006 draft class as future MVP Evan Longoria.
He is one of a small group of pitchers to have thrown a complete game shutout allowing one hit or fewer for three different MLB teams (Rays, Orioles, Giants).
“The biggest thing I learned from the surgery is you can’t take anything for granted. Every pitch, every game, is a gift.”
