Joakim Soria
A Mexican pitcher who transformed from a Rule 5 draft pick into a dominant closer, saving over 200 games with a devastating cutter.
Born 1984 (age 42)·Mexican baseball player·Birthday: May 18·Millennials
Biography
Joakim Soria's journey to Major League Baseball was anything but straightforward. Discovered pitching in the Mexican League, he was plucked by the Kansas City Royals in the 2006 Rule 5 draft, a mechanism for teams to acquire overlooked talent. He didn't just stick on the roster; he exploded onto the scene. With a calm demeanor and a sharp, biting cutter, Soria became 'The Mexicutioner,' a lockdown closer who racked up 160 saves in his first stint with the Royals, making two All-Star teams. His career became a testament to resilience and adaptability. After Tommy John surgery in 2012, he reinvented himself as a versatile, high-leverage reliever, pitching for nine more teams over the next decade. His longevity and consistent performance made him a respected figure in clubhouses across the league and a pioneer for Mexican pitchers seeking sustained MLB success.
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.
Joakim was born in 1984, 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 Joakim Was Born
The biggest hits of 1984
#1 Movie
Beverly Hills Cop
Best Picture
Amadeus
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Joakim's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1984Born
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1989Started school
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
1997Became a teenager
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
2000Could drive
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
2002Could vote
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Turned 21
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
2014Turned 30
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2024Turned 40
AI reshapes industries; Paris Olympics
Gas: $3.31/galHome: $372,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Espresso" — Sabrina CarpenterBest Picture: Anora
2026Age 42 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Earned two MLB All-Star selections (2008, 2010) as the closer for the Kansas City Royals.
- Recorded 229 career saves, placing him among the most successful Mexican-born pitchers in MLB history.
- Pitched in over 800 major league games across 15 seasons for nine different franchises.
- Won the 2005 Mexican League Rookie of the Year award before his MLB career began.
Did You Know?
He was selected from the San Diego Padres organization by the Kansas City Royals in the 2006 Rule 5 draft.
His nickname, 'The Mexicutioner,' was given by Royals fans and media for his closing prowess.
He and his father are the first father-son duo to both play for the Mexican national baseball team.
He recorded a save in his MLB debut on April 4, 2007.
“I attack the strike zone with my fastball; that's my plan.”
