B. J. Upton
A lightning-fast center fielder whose power and speed made him a cornerstone of the Tampa Bay Rays' rise to contention.
Born 1984 (age 42)·American baseball player·Birthday: August 21·Millennials
Biography
Born Melvin Emanuel Upton Jr., B.J. Upton emerged from Virginia as a can't-miss prospect, selected second overall in the 2002 draft. He debuted with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2004, becoming a fixture as the franchise shed its losing identity and became the Rays, reaching the World Series in 2008. Upton's game was a blend of thrilling athleticism and frustrating inconsistency; he could change a game with a 400-foot home run or a breathtaking steal of home, but his strikeout totals often drew scrutiny. After a 2012 season where he joined the rare 20-20 club, he signed a major deal with Atlanta, though his production never again matched his peak in Tampa. His career, which included stops in San Diego and Toronto, embodied the tantalizing potential of five-tool talent.
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.
B. was born in 1984, 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 B. Was Born
The biggest hits of 1984
#1 Movie
Beverly Hills Cop
Best Picture
Amadeus
#1 TV Show
Dallas
B.'s Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1984Born
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1989Started school
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
1997Became a teenager
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2000Could drive
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
2002Could vote
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Turned 21
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
2014Turned 30
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2024Turned 40
AI reshapes industries; Paris Olympics
Gas: $3.31/galHome: $372,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Espresso" — Sabrina CarpenterBest Picture: Anora
2026Age 42 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Hit 20 home runs and stole 20 bases in the same season for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2012.
- Played a central role in the Rays' 2008 American League pennant-winning team that went to the World Series.
- Hit three home runs in a single postseason game during the 2008 American League Championship Series.
- Recorded over 230 career stolen bases, showcasing elite speed throughout his time in the majors.
Did You Know?
His younger brother, Justin Upton, was also a high MLB draft pick and multiple-time All-Star, making them one of baseball's notable brother duos.
He legally changed his first name to Melvin but was universally known by his nickname, B.J., which stood for 'Bossman Junior,' a nod to his father.
He stole home plate twice in the 2008 postseason, a rare and aggressive feat.
“You have to be consistent with your work; the talent was always there, it was just about putting it together.”
