Carlos Martínez (pitcher, born 1991)
A Dominican fireballer whose electric arm and 'Tsunami' nickname defined a decade of Cardinals pitching before injuries cut his career short.
Born 1991 (age 35)·Dominican baseball player·Birthday: September 21·Millennials
Biography
Carlos Martínez's journey to the major leagues was anything but smooth. Signed by the Boston Red Sox as a teenager, his contract was famously voided due to identity confusion, a bureaucratic tangle stemming from Dominican record-keeping that briefly clouded his future. Cleared of any wrongdoing, he found his home with the St. Louis Cardinals, where his explosive fastball and devastating slider quickly made him a fan favorite. Nicknamed 'Tsunami' for his whirling delivery and celebratory energy, he became a two-time All-Star, oscillating between roles as a dominant closer and a rotation anchor. His peak saw him finish in the top five for the Cy Young Award in 2015. While recurring shoulder issues ultimately derailed his trajectory, preventing him from sustaining that elite level, his combination of raw talent and flamboyant charisma left a lasting mark on the mound in St. Louis.
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.
Carlos was born in 1991, 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 Carlos Was Born
The biggest hits of 1991
#1 Movie
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Best Picture
The Silence of the Lambs
#1 TV Show
Cheers
Carlos's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1991Born
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1996Started school
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
2004Became a teenager
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Could drive
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2009Could vote
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
2012Turned 21
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2021Turned 30
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 35 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Selected as a National League All-Star in 2015 and 2017.
- Finished third in NL Cy Young Award voting in 2015 after posting a 2.63 ERA.
- Recorded a career-high 124 strikeouts as a reliever in 2015, showcasing his versatility.
- Pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Championship Series in 2013, 2014, and 2015.
Did You Know?
His original contract with the Boston Red Sox was voided by MLB because he was found to have been registered under a different name (Carlos Matias) and age.
His signature 'Tsunami' celebration involved a rocking, wave-like motion with his arms.
He often dyed his hair in bright, distinctive colors, including shades of blue and red.
“I just want the ball in my hand when the game is on the line.”
