Justin Wilson (baseball)
A left-handed reliever whose high-velocity fastball and distinctive blue glove made him a recognizable and durable presence across nine different MLB teams.
Born 1987 (age 39)·American baseball player·Birthday: August 18·Millennials
Biography
Justin Wilson's path to the majors was forged in the pressure cooker of college baseball's biggest stage, winning a College World Series with Fresno State in 2008. Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates, he debuted in 2012 and quickly established himself as a valuable, versatile arm out of the bullpen. His career became a testament to the journeyman reliever's life, logging innings for nearly a third of the league's teams, from the Yankees and Cubs to the Mets and Reds. Wilson's signature was a mid-90s fastball that seemed to jump on hitters, delivered with a deceptive motion from the left side. While never an All-Star, he carved out a decade-long career as a trusted situational pitcher, often called upon to face the opposition's toughest left-handed bats in critical moments.
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
- Won the 2008 College World Series as a key pitcher for the Fresno State Bulldogs.
- Pitched in the MLB postseason for the New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, and New York Mets.
- Recorded over 500 strikeouts across his Major League career as a relief specialist.
Did You Know?
He was known for wearing a bright blue glove during games, a rare color choice in professional baseball.
His brother, also named Josh, was a teammate at Fresno State.
He recorded his first MLB save in 2015 while with the Detroit Tigers.
“My job is to get the lefties out, one slider at a time.”
