Dellin Betances
A towering relief pitcher whose devastating fastball-curveball combination made him one of baseball's most dominant bullpen forces for a stretch.
Born 1988 (age 38)·American baseball player·Birthday: March 23·Millennials
Biography
Standing 6'8" with an arm that seemed to unleash pitches from the clouds, Dellin Betances was a nightmare for hitters at his peak. A native New Yorker, his path to Yankee Stadium was fraught with early-career injuries and command struggles, threatening to derail his promise. Converted to a reliever, he found his destiny. From 2014 through 2017, he was virtually untouchable, an annual All-Star whose high-90s fastball set up a buckling curveball that left batters swinging at air. He formed the core of the 'No Runs Given' bullpen trio that anchored the Yankees, routinely pitching multiple high-leverage innings. While later years were marred by shoulder and Achilles injuries, his four-year peak remains etched in memory—a period where every game seemed to shorten to six innings when Betances stood up in the Yankee bullpen.
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.
Dellin was born in 1988, 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 Dellin Was Born
The biggest hits of 1988
#1 Movie
Rain Man
Best Picture
Rain Man
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Dellin's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1988Born
Pan Am Flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $74,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Faith" — George MichaelBest Picture: Rain Man
1993Started school
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
2001Became a teenager
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2004Could drive
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
2006Could vote
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
2009Turned 21
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
2018Turned 30
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2026Age 38 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Selected as an MLB All-Star for four consecutive seasons (2014–2017).
- Recorded a staggering 14.6 strikeouts per nine innings over his first five full seasons as a reliever.
- Pitched over 100 innings in relief twice, a rarity that highlighted his role as a multi-inning weapon.
- Finished in the top 10 of American League Cy Young Award voting in 2015 as a reliever.
Did You Know?
He was originally drafted by the New York Yankees as a starting pitcher in the 8th round of the 2006 draft.
He and his wife have a son named Dellin Jr.
Betances attended Grand Street Campus High School in Brooklyn, the same school that produced MLB star Manny Ramírez.
He recorded at least 100 strikeouts in five consecutive seasons as a reliever.
“I just try to get the ball over the plate, and let my height do the work.”
