Evan Longoria
The foundational star of the Tampa Bay Rays, a Gold Glove third baseman whose bat and leadership turned a struggling franchise into a perennial contender.
Born 1985 (age 41)·American baseball player·Birthday: October 7·Millennials
Biography
When Evan Longoria was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays, it signaled the dawn of a new era. He arrived in the majors with immediate impact, winning Rookie of the Year in 2008 and, just weeks later, hitting the home run that clinched the team's first-ever playoff berth and World Series appearance. Longoria became the face of a franchise renaissance, combining slick fielding at third base with consistent, powerful hitting. His presence in the heart of the lineup provided stability for a team known for its innovative, low-budget operations. For a decade in St. Petersburg, 'Longo' was synonymous with winning, a homegrown star who delivered in the clutch and anchored the club through multiple postseason runs. His trade to San Francisco in 2017 marked the end of a chapter, but his legacy as the player who made the Rays relevant remains untouched.
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.
Evan was born in 1985, 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 Evan Was Born
The biggest hits of 1985
#1 Movie
Back to the Future
Best Picture
Out of Africa
#1 TV Show
Dynasty
Evan's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1985Born
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1990Started school
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1998Became a teenager
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2001Could drive
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
2003Could vote
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
2006Turned 21
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
2015Turned 30
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2025Turned 40
AI agents go mainstream
Gas: $3.10/galHome: $385,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"APT." — Rose & Bruno Mars
2026Age 41 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the American League Rookie of the Year award in 2008.
- Hit a walk-off home run in Game 162 of the 2011 season to clinch a playoff berth for the Rays.
- Earned three Gold Glove Awards for his defensive excellence at third base (2009, 2010, 2017).
- Was selected as an MLB All-Star three times (2008, 2009, 2010).
Did You Know?
His game-winning homer to clinch the 2011 playoff spot came just minutes after the Boston Red Sox lost their game, completing an historic collapse.
Longoria played college baseball for the Long Beach State Dirtbags.
He is an avid golfer and has participated in celebrity tournaments.
He hit a home run in his first major league playoff at-bat in 2008.
“I've always taken pride in being the guy that wants to be up in that situation.”
