Byron Buxton
A baseball talent whose breathtaking speed and power are perpetually shadowed by a career defined by frustrating, recurring injuries.
Born 1993 (age 33)·American baseball player·Birthday: December 18·Millennials
Biography
Byron Buxton emerged from rural Georgia as a generational prospect, a blur of speed and raw power that made him the second overall pick in the 2012 MLB draft. His ascent with the Minnesota Twins was a masterclass in athleticism, punctuated by highlight-reel catches in center field that robbed hitters of certain home runs. Yet, his narrative has become one of tantalizing 'what-ifs,' as a relentless series of injuries—from wrist fractures to knee troubles—have repeatedly sidelined him just as he seemed poised for superstardom. The Twins, fiercely protective of his health, have often deployed him as a designated hitter, a concession to his fragile physique that keeps his potent bat in the lineup. For fans, Buxton represents both the sublime peak of physical talent and the agonizing fragility of a professional athlete's body.
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.
Byron was born in 1993, 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 Byron Was Born
The biggest hits of 1993
#1 Movie
Jurassic Park
Best Picture
Schindler's List
#1 TV Show
60 Minutes
Byron's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1993Born
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1998Started school
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2006Became a teenager
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
2009Could drive
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2011Could vote
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
2014Turned 21
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
2023Turned 30
ChatGPT goes mainstream; Israel-Hamas war begins
Gas: $3.52/galHome: $361,600Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Flowers" — Miley CyrusBest Picture: Oppenheimer
2026Age 33 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the American League Platinum Glove Award in 2017, recognizing him as the league's best overall defender.
- Hit a career-high 28 home runs in 2022 despite being limited to 92 games as a designated hitter.
- Was named the USA Today High School Player of the Year in 2012 before being drafted second overall.
Did You Know?
He was a standout high school quarterback in Georgia and had scholarship offers to play college football.
Buxton and his wife named their son Brix, continuing the family tradition of unique 'B' names.
He is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys hunting in the offseason.
“I'm just trying to stay on the field and help us win.”
