Jeremy Hellickson
The 'Hellboy' pitcher who baffled hitters with pinpoint changeups to win Rookie of the Year, anchoring the Rays' rotation during a competitive era.
Born 1987 (age 39)·American baseball player·Birthday: April 8·Millennials
Biography
Jeremy Hellickson arrived in the majors not with overpowering velocity, but with a pitcher's cunning. Drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays, he honed a devastating changeup that became his signature, a pitch that tumbled away from lefties and left seasoned hitters flailing. In 2011, he stepped into a full-time role and immediately mastered the American League, posting a sub-3.00 ERA and earning the Rookie of the Year award. Nicknamed 'Hellboy' by Tampa fans, he embodied the Rays' philosophy of developing smart, controllable pitchers who could thrive on the margins. For several seasons, he was a reliable fixture in a rotation that consistently punched above its weight, helping the team to playoff appearances with his calm demeanor and expert command. While injuries later affected his consistency, leading him to play for five more clubs, his peak in Tampa Bay represented the ideal outcome of the franchise's player development system—a homegrown talent who played a key role in the team's sustained relevance.
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.
Jeremy was born in 1987, 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 Jeremy Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Jeremy's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
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
2003Could drive
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
2005Could vote
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
2008Turned 21
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
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the American League Rookie of the Year Award in 2011 with the Tampa Bay Rays.
- Pitched to a 2.95 ERA over 189 innings in his award-winning rookie campaign.
- Won a Gold Glove Award in 2012 for his defensive prowess as a pitcher.
- Was a member of Rays teams that reached the MLB playoffs in 2011 and 2013.
Did You Know?
He was a high school teammate of fellow MLB pitcher Joel Hanrahan in Des Moines, Iowa.
He won the Gold Glove Award in 2012 despite having a relatively low number of defensive chances, highlighting his efficient fielding.
He pitched a complete-game shutout against the Baltimore Orioles in September 2011, a key performance in his Rookie of the Year case.
He was originally drafted by the Minnesota Twins in 2005 but did not sign, choosing to attend college instead.
“I lived on the changeup; it was the equalizer that made my fastball play.”
