Kolten Wong
A slick-fielding second baseman whose defensive wizardry and postseason grit made him a fan favorite in St. Louis.
Born 1990 (age 36)·American baseball player·Birthday: October 10·Millennials
Biography
Kolten Wong played the game with a distinctive energy, a compact sparkplug whose value was often measured in runs saved, not just runs driven in. Drafted as an offensive infielder, he carved out an 11-year career by mastering the art of defense at second base, turning double plays with balletic precision and regularly topping highlight reels with diving stops. In St. Louis, he became a core piece of a competitive era, his steady presence a constant through multiple playoff runs. While his bat had moments of punch, including a surprising power surge in Milwaukee, Wong's legacy is that of a craftsman. He treated every ground ball as a puzzle to be solved, earning two Gold Gloves and the deep appreciation of pitchers who knew he had their backs.
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.
Kolten was born in 1990, 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 Kolten Was Born
The biggest hits of 1990
#1 Movie
Home Alone
Best Picture
Dances with Wolves
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Kolten's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1990Born
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
1995Started school
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2003Became a teenager
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
2006Could drive
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
2008Could vote
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
2011Turned 21
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2020Turned 30
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 36 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won back-to-back National League Gold Glove Awards at second base in 2020 and 2021.
- Hit a walk-off home run in the 11th inning of Game 2 of the 2013 National League Championship Series.
- Stole 20 or more bases in three separate seasons, showcasing his speed and base-running intelligence.
- Was a first-round draft pick (22nd overall) by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2011 MLB Draft.
Did You Know?
He is of Chinese and Hawaiian descent and grew up in Hilo, Hawaii.
He played college baseball for the University of Hawaii, following in the footsteps of his father, who also played there.
He was famously picked off first base to end Game 4 of the 2013 World Series, a moment he publicly used as motivation.
He is known for his unique, high-socks batting stance and pre-game ritual dance in the on-deck circle.
“I take pride in my defense; turning a double play is a beautiful thing for a team.”
