Greg Holland
A dominant relief pitcher whose unhittable cutter anchored the Kansas City Royals' bullpen during their 2015 World Series championship run.
Born 1985 (age 41)·American baseball player·Birthday: November 20·Millennials
Biography
Greg Holland didn't look like a traditional fireballer, but for a few electric seasons, he was the most feared closer in baseball. Drafted by the Kansas City Royals, he perfected a devastating cutter that left hitters flailing. From 2011 to 2014, he was the engine of the 'HDH' bullpen trio, a relentless late-game force that strangled opponents. His peak was a masterclass in dominance, leading the American League in saves in 2013 and earning back-to-back All-Star selections. Holland's arm gave out in 2015, requiring Tommy John surgery, but in a storybook twist, he returned late in the season just in time to contribute to the Royals' long-awaited World Series title. His career afterward was a testament to perseverance, as he journeyed across several clubs, reclaiming All-Star form with the Colorado Rockies and proving his resilience.
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.
Greg 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 Greg Was Born
The biggest hits of 1985
#1 Movie
Back to the Future
Best Picture
Out of Africa
#1 TV Show
Dynasty
Greg'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 World Series with the Kansas City Royals in 2015.
- Named an MLB All-Star three times (2013, 2014, 2017).
- Led the American League with 47 saves in 2013 and finished the season with a 1.21 ERA.
- Won the Mariano Rivera AL Reliever of the Year Award in 2014.
- Recorded over 200 career saves in Major League Baseball.
Did You Know?
He played college baseball at Western Carolina University.
Holland was drafted in the 10th round of the 2007 MLB draft by the Kansas City Royals.
He and his wife founded the 'Holland's Heroes' program, which hosted patients from Children's Mercy Hospital at Royals games.
After his Tommy John surgery in 2015, he made a remarkably quick return to pitch in the minor leagues that same year.
“My job is simple: get three outs before they score.”
