Manny Corpas
A Panamanian relief pitcher who became the unshakeable closer for the Colorado Rockies during their magical 2007 run to the World Series.
Born 1982 (age 44)·Panamanian baseball player·Birthday: December 3·Millennials
Biography
Manny Corpas emerged from Panama City to become a key figure in one of baseball's most unexpected pennant races. Signed by the Colorado Rockies in 1999, he honed his craft in the minors before his 2006 debut. His breakthrough came the following year, when he seized the closer's role mid-season and provided a steady, sinkerball-heavy presence at the back of a brilliant bullpen. Corpas was virtually untouchable down the stretch, locking down 19 saves as the Rockies won 21 of 22 games to storm into the 2007 World Series. While his peak was relatively brief, that season cemented his place in Rockies lore. After stints with the Cubs and in various independent leagues, he transitioned into coaching, bringing his experience to the dugout.
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.
Manny was born in 1982, 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 Manny Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Manny's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1982Born
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1987Started school
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
1995Became a teenager
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Could drive
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2000Could vote
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
2003Turned 21
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
2012Turned 30
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2022Turned 40
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 44 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Recorded 19 saves with a 2.08 ERA for the Colorado Rockies during their 2007 National League championship season.
- Pitched a scoreless inning in Game 2 of the 2007 World Series against the Boston Red Sox.
- Finished his MLB career with 34 saves and a 3.93 ERA over 297 appearances.
- Represented Panama in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.
Did You Know?
His full name is Manuel Salvador Corpas Berrío.
He was originally signed by the Rockies as an amateur free agent in 1999 at age 16.
In 2007, he did not allow a home run over his final 46.2 innings of the regular season.
He and his wife, Yajaira, have three children.
“In 2007, every time they gave me the ball, I knew my job.”
