Ervin Santana
A Dominican fireballer who carved out a 15-year MLB career, punctuated by a masterful no-hitter for the Angels in 2011.
Born 1982 (age 44)·Dominican baseball player·Birthday: December 12·Millennials
Biography
Ervin Santana emerged from the Dominican Republic's rich baseball pipeline with a right arm built for durability. Signed by the Anaheim Angels, he quickly became a rotation staple, known for a sharp slider and an ability to eat innings. His career was a journey of resilience, bouncing from the Angels to the Royals, Braves, Twins, and White Sox, often serving as a stabilizing force for pitching staffs. The pinnacle of his craft came on July 27, 2011, when he authored a no-hitter against the Cleveland Indians, a feat of precision and power. While never a perennial Cy Young contender, Santana's two All-Star selections and over 2,500 career innings stand as a testament to his valued consistency in the big leagues.
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.
Ervin was born in 1982, 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 Ervin Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Ervin's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1982Born
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1987Started school
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1995Became a teenager
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Could drive
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2000Could vote
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
2003Turned 21
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
2012Turned 30
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
2022Turned 40
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 44 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Threw a no-hitter for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim against the Cleveland Indians on July 27, 2011.
- Selected as an American League All-Star in 2008 and again in 2017.
- Pitched over 2,500 innings across a 15-season Major League Baseball career.
Did You Know?
His full name is Ervin Ramon Santana, and he is sometimes nicknamed 'Magic'.
He was traded from the Angels to the Kansas City Royals in 2013 for a player to be named later.
He led the American League in shutouts in 2011 with that season's no-hitter counting as one.
“My slider was my out pitch; I built my career on that and throwing strikes.”
