Derek Holland
A charismatic left-handed pitcher whose clutch postseason performances and vibrant personality made him a fan favorite for the Texas Rangers.
Born 1986 (age 40)·American baseball player·Birthday: October 9·Millennials
Biography
Derek Holland threw a masterpiece in Game 4 of the 2011 World Series, pitching 8.1 innings and allowing just two hits to keep the Texas Rangers alive. The left-hander, nicknamed 'Dutch Oven,' paired a sharp slider with a fearless approach and became a rotation staple after being drafted in 2006. Injuries later disrupted his consistency. Holland reinvented himself as a valuable swingman for multiple clubs, including a key rotation role with the Chicago White Sox. With the San Francisco Giants, he made a memorable emergency relief appearance while wearing a costume from a team-themed event. Beyond his stats, Holland brought fiery competitiveness and playful levity to the mound, sharing his love of Star Wars with fans and building an authentic connection that made his career memorable.
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.
Derek was born in 1986, 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 Derek Was Born
The biggest hits of 1986
#1 Movie
Top Gun
Best Picture
Platoon
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Derek's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1986Born
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1991Started school
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
1999Became a teenager
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Could drive
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2004Could vote
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
2007Turned 21
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
2016Turned 30
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2026Turned 40
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Pitched 8.1 scoreless innings in Game 4 of the 2011 World Series for the Texas Rangers, a crucial win that tied the series.
- Finished in the top 10 in the American League in shutouts in both 2011 and 2013.
- Recorded a career-high 189 strikeouts during the 2013 season with the Rangers.
Did You Know?
He famously dressed as the movie character 'Wild Thing' Ricky Vaughn for a Rangers team flight.
He is a huge Star Wars fan and has used 'The Force' as a theme for his pitching.
He provided emergency relief for the Giants in 2018 while still wearing a onesie costume from a team 'Star Wars' dress-up day.
His dog, Wrigley, has a large following on social media.
“I'm not going to change who I am. I'm always going to be the guy that's joking around, having fun.”
