Erick Aybar
A slick-fielding shortstop whose defensive wizardry and consistent bat anchored the infield for a perennial contender.
Born 1984 (age 42)·Dominican baseball player·Birthday: January 14·Millennials
Biography
Erick Aybar arrived in the majors as part of a wave of Dominican talent that reshaped the Los Angeles Angels, stepping into a lineup of stars with a quiet, steady competence. He wasn't the loudest player on the field, but his game spoke volumes through the crack of the bat on a hit-and-run and the cloud of dirt from a diving stop. Aybar made the difficult plays at shortstop look routine, his quick hands and strong arm turning potential hits into outs. For nearly a decade, he was the dependable glue in the Angels' infield, contributing not just with his glove but with a pesky batting average and savvy baserunning. He played his best baseball under pressure, a key component of teams that regularly fought for the American League West crown, and his 2014 Gold Glove award was a long-overdue recognition of his defensive mastery.
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.
Erick was born in 1984, 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 Erick Was Born
The biggest hits of 1984
#1 Movie
Beverly Hills Cop
Best Picture
Amadeus
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Erick's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1984Born
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1989Started school
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1997Became a teenager
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2000Could drive
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2002Could vote
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Turned 21
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2014Turned 30
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
2024Turned 40
AI reshapes industries; Paris Olympics
Gas: $3.31/galHome: $372,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Espresso" — Sabrina CarpenterBest Picture: Anora
2026Age 42 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the American League Gold Glove Award for shortstops in 2011.
- Was a member of the 2009 American League All-Star team.
- Led American League shortstops in fielding percentage in 2011.
- Played over 1,000 games as the starting shortstop for the Los Angeles Angels.
- Recorded a career-high 30 stolen bases during the 2010 season.
Did You Know?
He is the older brother of former MLB player Willy Aybar.
Aybar was part of a notable double-play combination with fellow Dominican Howie Kendrick with the Angels.
He hit an inside-the-park home run in 2012, showcasing his speed.
Aybar was known for frequently using the bunt as an offensive weapon.
“You play the game hard, you play it right, and you help your team win.”
