Matt Reynolds (infielder)
A versatile infielder whose journey from the Mets to Japan's Hiroshima Carp showcased a quiet, persistent dedication to the game.
Born 1990 (age 36)·American baseball player·Birthday: December 3·Millennials
Biography
Matt Reynolds carved out a professional baseball career defined by adaptability and a willingness to go anywhere to play. Born in 1990, the infielder was drafted by the New York Mets and made his major league debut in 2016, bringing a reliable glove to multiple positions. His path wasn't linear; after stints with the Nationals, Royals, and Reds, he took his talents across the Pacific to Nippon Professional Baseball, suiting up for the historic Hiroshima Toyo Carp. This move wasn't just a footnote—it represented a serious commitment to his craft, immersing himself in a different baseball culture. Reynolds's story is less about stardom and more about the substance of a journeyman athlete, the kind of player who fills crucial roles and whose career map reflects the global nature of modern baseball.
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 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 Matt Was Born
The biggest hits of 1990
#1 Movie
Home Alone
Best Picture
Dances with Wolves
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Matt'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
- Made his MLB debut with the New York Mets in 2016 after being drafted by the team.
- Played in the major leagues for four different teams: the Mets, Washington Nationals, Kansas City Royals, and Cincinnati Reds.
- Extended his professional career internationally by playing for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball.
Did You Know?
He played college baseball at the University of Arkansas, a prominent NCAA program.
His primary positions were shortstop and second base, but he also saw time at third base and in the outfield.
He was part of the 2015 Mets organization that won the National League pennant, though he did not appear in the postseason that year.
“I kept my glove ready and my bag packed for any team that called.”
