Miles Mikolas
A stalwart MLB pitcher who reinvented his career in Japan, returning to become a two-time All-Star and the ace of the St. Louis Cardinals.
Born 1988 (age 38)·American baseball player·Birthday: August 23·Millennials
Biography
Miles Mikolas's baseball journey is a testament to perseverance and adaptation. His first stint in Major League Baseball was unremarkable, a reliever struggling to find his footing. Facing a career crossroads, he bet on himself and signed with the Yomiuri Giants in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. There, he transformed from a bullpen arm into a dominant starting pitcher, mastering command and a sharp slider. The gamble paid off spectacularly. The St. Louis Cardinals, seeing a completely refined pitcher, brought him back to the majors in 2018. Mikolas immediately delivered, tying for the National League lead in wins, making the All-Star team, and finishing sixth in Cy Young voting. He became the reliable, innings-eating anchor of the Cardinals' rotation for years, earning a second All-Star nod in 2022 and proving that sometimes the road to success requires a detour across the globe.
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.
Miles was born in 1988, 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 Miles Was Born
The biggest hits of 1988
#1 Movie
Rain Man
Best Picture
Rain Man
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Miles's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1988Born
Pan Am Flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $74,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Faith" — George MichaelBest Picture: Rain Man
1993Started school
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
2001Became a teenager
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2004Could drive
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2006Could vote
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
2009Turned 21
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
2018Turned 30
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2026Age 38 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Selected as a National League All-Star twice, in 2018 and 2022.
- Tied for the National League lead in wins (18) during his 2018 comeback season with St. Louis.
- Finished sixth in the National League Cy Young Award voting in 2018.
- Pitched three complete-game shutouts for the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2022 season.
Did You Know?
He played college baseball at Nova Southeastern University in Florida.
During his time in Japan with the Yomiuri Giants, he was nicknamed 'The Lizard King'.
Mikolas is known for his distinctive handlebar mustache.
“I went to Japan to learn how to be a pitcher again, and it changed everything.”
