Hisashi Iwakuma
A Japanese pitcher who conquered shoulder pain to throw a no-hitter in the majors, becoming a quiet legend in Seattle.
Born 1981 (age 45)·Japanese baseball player·Birthday: April 12·Millennials
Biography
Hisashi Iwakuma’s career was a masterclass in precision and resilience. After establishing himself as a star in Japan, winning the Pacific League MVP in 2008, he made the jump to Major League Baseball with the Seattle Mariners in 2012. There, he wasn't a flamethrower but a craftsman, using a devastating splitter and pinpoint control to baffle hitters. His pinnacle came in 2015 when, battling persistent shoulder issues, he authored a no-hitter against the Baltimore Orioles—a feat of sheer will. Iwakuma’s time in Seattle was defined by this graceful effectiveness, making three All-Star teams and earning the deep respect of fans before his shoulder finally dictated his retirement in 2020.
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.
Hisashi was born in 1981, 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 Hisashi Was Born
The biggest hits of 1981
#1 Movie
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Best Picture
Chariots of Fire
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Hisashi's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1981Born
MTV launches; first Space Shuttle flight; AIDS identified
Gas: $1.31/galHome: $52,300Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Bette Davis Eyes" — Kim CarnesBest Picture: Chariots of Fire
1986Started school
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1994Became a teenager
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
1997Could drive
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
1999Could vote
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Turned 21
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2011Turned 30
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2021Turned 40
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 45 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Pitched a no-hitter for the Seattle Mariners against the Baltimore Orioles on August 12, 2015.
- Named an MLB All-Star in 2013 and finished third in American League Cy Young Award voting that same year.
- Won the Pacific League Most Valuable Player award in Japan in 2008 while with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles.
- Recorded a 2.66 ERA over 219 innings pitched during his stellar 2013 season with the Mariners.
Did You Know?
He was the second Japanese-born pitcher to throw a no-hitter in Major League Baseball, after Hideo Nomo.
Iwakuma's contract with the Mariners was initially delayed due to concerns about his physical condition, a deal famously brokered after a unique showcase.
He wore jersey number 18 for the Mariners, a number traditionally given to the ace of the pitching staff in Japanese baseball.
Before his MLB career, he played for the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes, the team that later became the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles.
“My best pitch is the one the batter doesn't expect.”
