Jacob Stallings
A defensive maestro behind the plate, his 2021 Gold Glove season redefined the value of a game-calling catcher for the Pirates.
Born 1989 (age 37)·American baseball player·Birthday: December 22·Millennials
Biography
Jacob Stallings carved out a ten-year major league career not with a thunderous bat, but with a brilliant mind and a cannon for an arm. The son of a college basketball coach, his baseball IQ was evident from his days at the University of North Carolina. Drafted by the Cincinnati Reds, his path to the majors was a slow grind, finally debuting with the Pittsburgh Pirates at 27. In Pittsburgh, he became the steadying force for a young pitching staff, mastering the art of pitch framing and game management. His pinnacle came in 2021 when his nearly flawless defensive work earned him a Gold Glove and widespread recognition as one of the sport's best defensive catchers. After stints with Miami, Colorado, and Baltimore, he retired and transitioned seamlessly into a front office role with the Pirates, aiming to shape the next generation of talent.
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.
Jacob 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 Jacob Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Jacob'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
- Won the National League Gold Glove Award for catchers in 2021.
- Received the Fielding Bible Award as the best defensive catcher in all of MLB for the 2021 season.
- Played over 500 career games as a catcher across four different MLB teams.
- Led National League catchers in defensive WAR during his Gold Glove season.
Did You Know?
His father, Kevin Stallings, was the head men's basketball coach at Vanderbilt University.
He was originally drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 7th round of the 2011 MLB Draft but did not sign.
He graduated from the University of North Carolina with a degree in communications.
He caught the first no-hitter in Miami Marlins franchise history, thrown by Pablo López in 2021.
“Calling a game is like a chess match; you have to stay three pitches ahead.”
