Mitch Garver
A powerful-hitting catcher who transformed from a late-round draft pick into a World Series champion and offensive force.
Born 1991 (age 35)·American baseball player·Birthday: January 15·Millennials
Biography
Mitch Garver's ascent to big league stalwart is a testament to development and seizing opportunity. Drafted in the ninth round by Minnesota out of the University of New Mexico, he steadily climbed through a minors system not known for offensive catchers. When his chance came, he rewired the expectations for his position with the Twins. In 2019, he unleashed a breakout campaign, blasting 31 home runs to win the Silver Slugger Award and proving catchers could be middle-of-the-order threats. After a trade to Texas, he embraced a hybrid role, and his potent bat was a crucial component in the Rangers' magical 2023 postseason run, culminating in a World Series title that cemented his legacy as a winner.
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.
Mitch was born in 1991, 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 Mitch Was Born
The biggest hits of 1991
#1 Movie
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Best Picture
The Silence of the Lambs
#1 TV Show
Cheers
Mitch's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1991Born
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1996Started school
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
2004Became a teenager
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
2007Could drive
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2009Could vote
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
2012Turned 21
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
2021Turned 30
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 35 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the Silver Slugger Award as the American League's best-hitting catcher in 2019 after hitting 31 home runs.
- Won the World Series with the Texas Rangers in 2023, contributing key hits throughout the postseason.
- Hit two home runs in a single game during the 2023 AL Championship Series against the Houston Astros.
- Set a Minnesota Twins franchise record for home runs by a catcher in a single season with 31 in 2019.
Did You Know?
He was a three-sport star in high school in Albuquerque, also playing basketball and football.
He and his wife, Sarah, are avid supporters of animal rescue and have adopted multiple dogs.
He played college baseball at the University of New Mexico, where he was primarily a catcher and first baseman.
In the 2019 Home Run Derby, he was the pitcher for his Twins teammate, Miguel Sanó.
“I just try to hit the ball hard somewhere.”
