Lance Lynn
A durable and imposing workhorse pitcher whose midwestern toughness and relentless innings-eating defined a long, valuable MLB career.
Born 1987 (age 39)·American baseball player·Birthday: May 12·Millennials
Biography
Lance Lynn built a reputation not on flashy strikeout totals, but on a stubborn, grinding consistency that managers could set their watch to. Drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals, the big right-hander from Indiana quickly became a rotation fixture, helping the team to a World Series in his rookie season. His game was built on a heavy, sinking fastball and an unwavering competitive fire, often seen barking on the mound after a key out. Lynn's value was in his volume; he routinely ranked among the league leaders in games started and innings pitched, a testament to his physical durability. While he moved through seven teams in his later years, he remained a sought-after commodity for clubs in a playoff hunt, bringing a veteran presence and a proven ability to shoulder a heavy workload when it mattered most.
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.
Lance 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 Lance 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
Lance'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 a World Series championship with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011 as a rookie.
- Selected as a National League All-Star in 2012, his first full season as a starter.
- Led the American League in wins (16) and starts (33) during the 2019 season with the Texas Rangers.
- Pitched over 180 innings in a season six times, demonstrating exceptional durability.
Did You Know?
He played college baseball at the University of Mississippi, where he was a teammate of future MLB pitcher Drew Pomeranz.
Lynn is known for his distinctive, thick beard, which became a signature part of his on-field persona.
He finished in the top 10 in Cy Young Award voting twice in his career (2012 in the NL, 2019 in the AL).
In 2021, he threw a complete-game shutout for the Chicago White Sox at the age of 34.
“I take the ball every fifth day and compete. That's it.”
