C. J. Cron
A powerful American first baseman whose consistent, understated power-hitting made him a reliable run producer for multiple Major League teams.
Born 1990 (age 36)·American baseball player·Birthday: January 5·Millennials
Biography
C.J. Cron built his Major League Baseball career not on flashy athleticism but on a simple, repeatable strength: the ability to drive baseballs over outfield fences with quiet efficiency. The son of former big leaguer Chris Cron, he grew up immersed in the game's nuances. Drafted in the first round by the Los Angeles Angels out of the University of Utah, he spent years as a part-time player before finding his footing as a full-time power threat. His breakout came with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2018, where he smacked 30 home runs, proving he could be a central lineup fixture. Subsequent stops in Minnesota, Detroit, and Colorado showcased his adaptability; he led the Twins in homers one year and, in the thin air of Denver, posted the best offensive numbers of his career for the Rockies, including a 100-RBI season. While not a defensive specialist, his steady presence at first base and designated hitter provided value. His career trajectory is that of a classic late-blooming slugger who maximized his raw power through opportunity and consistency.
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.
C. 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 C. Was Born
The biggest hits of 1990
#1 Movie
Home Alone
Best Picture
Dances with Wolves
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
C.'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
- Hit 30 home runs for the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2018 season, establishing himself as a premier power hitter.
- Led the Minnesota Twins in home runs (25) during the 2019 season after joining the team.
- Recorded a career-high 102 RBIs and 28 home runs for the Colorado Rockies in 2022.
- Was selected in the first round (17th overall) of the 2011 MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Angels.
Did You Know?
His father, Chris Cron, played in MLB and later became a longtime minor league manager and coach.
He played college baseball at the University of Utah, where he was a two-time All-American.
He and his brother, Kevin Cron, have both hit for the cycle in professional baseball.
He underwent knee surgery (patellar tendon) in 2020, which significantly shortened his season.
“I try to keep my swing simple and hit the ball hard.”
