José Pirela
A versatile Venezuelan hitter whose professional journey has spanned four continents, from MLB ballparks to stadiums in Japan and Korea.
Born 1989 (age 37)·Venezuelan baseball player·Birthday: November 21·Millennials
Biography
José Pirela embodies the modern global baseball journeyman, a player whose bat has earned him opportunities across the world's top leagues. Signed by the New York Yankees as a teenager, he patiently climbed through their farm system before getting his big-league break. While he never settled as a regular starter in the majors, he showed flashes of his potent offensive capability, most notably during a 2017 stint with the San Diego Padres where he hit .288 with power. This performance opened doors overseas. Pirela embraced the challenge, becoming a star in Asia. He delivered a standout season for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp in Japan's NPB and later mashed 30 home runs for the Samsung Lions in Korea's KBO League. His career is a testament to adaptability and the universal language of a powerful swing.
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.
José 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 José Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
José'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
- Hit 30 home runs and drove in 105 runs for the Samsung Lions in the KBO League during the 2021 season.
- Played in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, and Philadelphia Phillies.
- Posted a .288/.347/.490 batting line with 10 home runs in 83 games for the San Diego Padres in 2017.
Did You Know?
He was originally signed by the New York Yankees as an international free agent in 2006.
Pirela played for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball for the 2020 season.
He has primarily played second base and left field throughout his professional career.
“My job is simple: see the ball, hit the ball.”
