Matt Chapman
A human highlight reel at third base whose rocket arm and defensive genius have redefined the value of the hot corner in modern baseball.
Born 1993 (age 33)·American baseball player·Birthday: April 28·Millennials
Biography
Matt Chapman arrived in the majors with the Oakland Athletics not just as a third baseman, but as a defensive event. His arm strength is the stuff of scouting legends, capable of making throws from deep behind the bag or off-balance that few other players would even attempt. He didn't just play third base; he patrolled it with a combination of instinct, agility, and pure power that earned him Platinum Glove awards as the best defender in the entire league. While his bat has shown flashes of significant power, it is his glove that has cemented his value, making him a centerpiece for competitive teams in Oakland and Toronto. In an era obsessed with offensive metrics, Chapman's career is a powerful argument for game-changing defense, proving that saving runs can be as thrilling and valuable as driving them in.
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.
Matt was born in 1993, 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 Matt Was Born
The biggest hits of 1993
#1 Movie
Jurassic Park
Best Picture
Schindler's List
#1 TV Show
60 Minutes
Matt's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1993Born
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1998Started school
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2006Became a teenager
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
2009Could drive
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2011Could vote
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
2014Turned 21
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2023Turned 30
ChatGPT goes mainstream; Israel-Hamas war begins
Gas: $3.52/galHome: $361,600Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Flowers" — Miley CyrusBest Picture: Oppenheimer
2026Age 33 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the Platinum Glove Award as the best overall defender in the American League in both 2018 and 2019.
- Has won multiple Rawlings Gold Glove Awards for his defensive excellence at third base.
- Hit 36 home runs for the Oakland Athletics in 2019, showcasing his significant power at the plate.
Did You Know?
He played college baseball at California State University, Fullerton, a noted baseball program.
He is close friends and former teammates with fellow infielder Marcus Semien, dating back to their time with the Athletics.
He is known for his intense pre-game batting cage routines, which often include hitting balls thrown at extremely high velocities.
“I want every ground ball hit to me; my job is to make the play.”
