Justin Upton
A powerful and consistent slugger, his thunderous bat made him a feared presence in the heart of lineups for over a decade.
Born 1987 (age 39)·American baseball player·Birthday: August 25·Millennials
Biography
Justin Upton arrived in the major leagues with the Arizona Diamondbacks carrying the weight of expectation as the first overall draft pick. He quickly proved he belonged, his smooth, powerful swing generating home runs and All-Star selections. His career became a journey through the National League, with stops in Atlanta, San Diego, Detroit, Los Angeles, and Seattle, where he was often the most dangerous hitter in the lineup. Upton's game was built on explosive offense, amassing over 300 home runs and 1,000 RBIs with a combination of strength and bat speed that pitchers dreaded. While his later years were hampered by injuries, his peak established him as one of the most reliable and potent right-handed power threats of his era, a player whose mere presence in the on-deck circle could change the complexion of a game.
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.
Justin 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 Justin 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
Justin'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
- Selected as the first overall pick by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2005 MLB Draft.
- Elected to the MLB All-Star Game four times (2009, 2011, 2015, 2017).
- Hit 30 or more home runs in a season five times during his career.
- Finished in the top ten in National League MVP voting twice (2011, 2015).
Did You Know?
He and his older brother, B.J. Upton, were teammates on both the Atlanta Braves and the San Diego Padres.
He hit a home run in his first career postseason at-bat in 2011.
He won the Silver Slugger Award three times, all while playing for three different teams (Arizona, Atlanta, San Diego).
“I step into the box looking for one pitch to drive.”
