Jon Jay
A gritty, contact-hitting outfielder whose consistent play and clubhouse presence made him a valued contributor to a World Series champion and a dozen MLB teams.
Born 1985 (age 41)·American baseball player·Birthday: March 15·Millennials
Biography
Jon Jay's baseball story is one of quiet, relentless professionalism. Drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals out of the University of Miami, he never fit the mold of a power-hitting superstar. Instead, Jay built an impressive 12-year career on the foundation of a reliable .283 lifetime batting average, a sharp eye at the plate, and solid defensive work in the outfield. He was a key role player for the Cardinals' 2011 World Series championship team, providing crucial hits and steady energy. Jay became a baseball journeyman in the best sense, playing for seven different clubs and earning respect in every clubhouse for his work ethic and positive attitude. This reputation led him naturally into coaching, and he returned to the Cardinals organization to help mold the next generation of players.
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.
Jon was born in 1985, 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 Jon Was Born
The biggest hits of 1985
#1 Movie
Back to the Future
Best Picture
Out of Africa
#1 TV Show
Dynasty
Jon's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1985Born
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1990Started school
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1998Became a teenager
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2001Could drive
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2003Could vote
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
2006Turned 21
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2015Turned 30
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2025Turned 40
AI agents go mainstream
Gas: $3.10/galHome: $385,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"APT." — Rose & Bruno Mars
2026Age 41 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won a World Series championship as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011.
- Played in 12 Major League Baseball seasons, accumulating over 1,200 hits and a .283 career average.
- Recorded a 10-game hitting streak during the 2011 postseason, contributing to the Cardinals' title run.
- Returned to the Cardinals as a major league coach following his retirement as a player.
Did You Know?
He is of Cuban descent and was born in Miami, Florida.
He played college baseball for the Miami Hurricanes, a perennial powerhouse.
He was drafted in the second round of the 2006 MLB draft.
He and MLB star Albert Pujols share the same birthday (January 16).
“I built my career on getting on base and playing solid defense.”
