Kjetil Jansrud
A talented pitcher whose promising start with the Atlanta Braves was tragically cut short by his untimely death at 29.
Born 1985 (age 41)·Norwegian alpine skier·Birthday: August 28·Millennials
Biography
Tommy Hanson arrived in Major League Baseball with the kind of buzz that heralds a future ace. A lanky right-hander with a deceptive delivery and a sharp slider, he took Atlanta by storm in 2009, finishing third in Rookie of the Year voting and instantly becoming a cornerstone of the Braves' rotation. For a few seasons, he delivered on that promise, posting solid numbers and earning the trust of a storied franchise. But the relentless physical demands of pitching began to take a toll, and his performance dipped after a 2011 shoulder injury. Traded to the Los Angeles Angels, he struggled to recapture his early form. His sudden death in 2015, resulting from catastrophic organ failure linked to cocaine and alcohol, sent shockwaves through the baseball community. It transformed his story from one of sporting potential into a sobering reminder of the vulnerabilities that exist off the field, leaving behind a legacy of what might have been.
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.
Kjetil 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 Kjetil Was Born
The biggest hits of 1985
#1 Movie
Back to the Future
Best Picture
Out of Africa
#1 TV Show
Dynasty
Kjetil'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
- Finished third in National League Rookie of the Year voting in 2009 after posting a 2.89 ERA in 21 starts for the Atlanta Braves.
- Struck out 10 batters in his MLB debut on June 7, 2009, against the Milwaukee Brewers.
- Recorded a career-high 11 wins and a 3.33 ERA over 202.2 innings pitched during the 2010 season.
- Was named the Braves' Opening Day starting pitcher in 2012.
Did You Know?
He was originally drafted by the Anaheim Angels in the 22nd round of the 2005 draft but did not sign, choosing to attend junior college instead.
In the minors, he was known for an exceptional strikeout rate, fanning 163 batters in 138 innings in 2008.
His nickname among teammates and fans was 'Big Red'.
He pitched a complete-game, three-hit shutout against the Chicago Cubs in August 2009, one of the highlights of his rookie year.
“I'm a speed skier; I'm not here to make turns, I'm here to go fast.”
