Juan Lagares
A defensive wizard in center field whose highlight-reel catches for the New York Mets made him one of the most thrilling glovemen of his era.
Born 1989 (age 37)·Dominican baseball player·Birthday: March 17·Millennials
Biography
Juan Lagares carved out a memorable career not with a thunderous bat, but with a magical glove. Signed by the New York Mets as an international free agent, he ascended to the majors and quickly established himself as a human highlight reel in the vast outfield of Citi Field. His playing style was a blend of breathtaking athleticism and fearless abandon; he seemed to calculate impossible routes to baseballs, saving runs with diving catches and robbing home runs with leaps at the wall. The pinnacle came in 2014 when his defensive mastery was formally recognized with a National League Gold Glove Award. While his offensive production was often inconsistent, Mets fans forgave much for the sheer artistry of his defense. His later years included brief stops with the Angels and in South Korea, but his legacy remains firmly tied to those years in Queens where he turned outs into art.
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.
Juan 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 Juan Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Juan'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 center field in 2014.
- Led all National League outfielders in defensive runs saved in 2014 with 28.
- Recorded a 1.000 fielding percentage in 2014, committing zero errors in 312 total chances.
- Finished his MLB career with 43 outfield assists, showcasing a powerful and accurate throwing arm.
- Played seven seasons for the New York Mets, appearing in over 600 games.
Did You Know?
He was originally signed by the Mets as a shortstop before being converted to an outfielder.
Lagares played winter baseball in the Dominican Republic for the Tigres del Licey.
He hit his first major league home run off Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels.
In 2015, he became the first Mets position player to pitch in a game since 1990, throwing a scoreless inning.
He is known by the nickname 'Juanny Beisbol' among Mets fans.
“My job is to take away hits and runs with the glove.”
