Jack Flaherty
A cerebral pitcher with a devastating slider, he announced himself to baseball by nearly capturing a Cy Young Award in his first full season.
Born 1995 (age 31)·American baseball player·Birthday: October 15·Millennials
Biography
Jack Flaherty's ascent felt like a promise fulfilled. A first-round pick by the St. Louis Cardinals, he carried the poise of a veteran from his 2017 debut. But it was 2019 that cemented his status, a season where he transformed from a talented arm into a bona fide ace. In the second half, he was virtually untouchable, posting an ERA under 1.00 and forcing his name into the Cy Young conversation with a mix of precision and power. His career since has been a narrative of resilience, navigating injuries and trades while searching for that dominant form. From St. Louis to brief stops in Baltimore and Los Angeles, and now anchoring a rotation in Detroit, Flaherty remains a fascinating study in pitching intellect, a player whose best outings remind everyone of the sheer dominance he is capable of delivering.
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.
Jack was born in 1995, 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 Jack Was Born
The biggest hits of 1995
#1 Movie
Toy Story
Best Picture
Braveheart
#1 TV Show
Seinfeld
Jack's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1995Born
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2000Started school
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
2008Became a teenager
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2011Could drive
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
2013Could vote
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2016Turned 21
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2025Turned 30
AI agents go mainstream
Gas: $3.10/galHome: $385,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"APT." — Rose & Bruno Mars
2026Age 31 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Finished fourth in National League Cy Young Award voting in 2019 after a historically dominant second half.
- Pitched a complete-game one-hitter against the Milwaukee Brewers in September 2019.
- Recorded a 0.91 ERA in 15 starts during the second half of the 2019 season.
- Was selected in the first round (34th overall) by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2014 MLB draft.
Did You Know?
He is of African-American and Jewish descent.
He attended the same high school (Harvard-Westlake) as fellow MLB pitchers Lucas Giolito and Max Fried.
He is known for his intense study of game film and detailed preparation for opposing hitters.
“Every pitch is a conversation, and I intend to win the argument.”
