Brad Hand
A left-handed relief pitcher whose rubber arm and deceptive slider made him a three-time All-Star and a World Series champion.
Born 1990 (age 36)·American baseball player·Birthday: March 20·Millennials
Biography
Brad Hand emerged from a high school in Minnesota to become one of the most durable and effective left-handed relievers of his era. Drafted by the Florida Marlins in 2008, he initially struggled as a starter before finding his true calling in the bullpen. His breakthrough came with the San Diego Padres, where he transformed into a shutdown closer, earning All-Star honors and a reputation for a wicked slider. Hand's journey was defined by adaptability, pitching for nine different teams over 13 seasons, a testament to his valued presence in any bullpen. His career pinnacle arrived with the Atlanta Braves in 2021, where he contributed to a World Series championship, capping a journey of perseverance and late-game mastery.
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.
Brad was born in 1990, 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 Brad Was Born
The biggest hits of 1990
#1 Movie
Home Alone
Best Picture
Dances with Wolves
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Brad's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1990Born
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1995Started school
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2003Became a teenager
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
2006Could drive
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2008Could vote
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
2011Turned 21
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2020Turned 30
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 36 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Selected to the MLB All-Star Game three times (2017, 2018, 2019).
- Won a World Series championship with the Atlanta Braves in 2021.
- Led the National League in games finished in 2019 with 56 while with the Cleveland Indians.
- Recorded a career total of 137 saves over 13 MLB seasons.
Did You Know?
He was originally drafted as a starting pitcher in the second round of the 2008 MLB Draft.
In high school, he was also a standout hockey goaltender.
He pitched for a total of nine different Major League teams during his career.
“You have to be ready for anything, but my job is to get the next out.”
