Heath Hembree
A relief pitcher whose powerful arm led him to wear the uniforms of ten different MLB teams, embodying the nomadic life of a modern bullpen specialist.
Born 1989 (age 37)·American baseball player·Birthday: January 13·Millennials
Biography
Heath Hembree, nicknamed 'Heater' for his fastball, built a career out of throwing gas in high-leverage moments for a decade in the majors. A product of the College of Charleston, he was drafted by the San Francisco Giants and made a swift impression with his mid-90s velocity. His journey, however, would be defined by movement. After a brief stint with the Giants that included a 2014 World Series ring (though he was not on the playoff roster), he was traded to Boston, where he became a workhorse in the Red Sox bullpen for several seasons. From there, Hembree became a true baseball journeyman, packing his bags for Philadelphia, Cincinnati, New York (Mets), Pittsburgh, Los Angeles (Dodgers), and Tampa Bay. Each stop represented another team hoping to harness his experience and arm strength for crucial outs, a testament to the perpetual demand for reliable right-handed relief.
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.
Heath was born in 1989, 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 Heath Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Heath's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
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
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
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
2007Could vote
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
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Pitched in over 300 Major League games across ten different teams, amassing more than 300 strikeouts.
- Was part of the Boston Red Sox bullpen from 2014 to 2020, appearing in 60+ games in multiple seasons.
- Earned a World Series ring with the San Francisco Giants in 2014 during his rookie year.
- Recorded a career-high 11.7 strikeouts per nine innings during the 2016 season with the Red Sox.
Did You Know?
His nickname, 'Heater', is a common baseball term for a fastball, referencing his primary pitch.
He was originally drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 31st round in 2007 but did not sign.
He made his MLB debut against the San Diego Padres on September 3, 2013, pitching a scoreless inning.
In 2021, he played for three different teams: the Reds, Mets, and Pirates.
“I get the ball and attack the zone with my best fastball.”
