Nate Freiman
A towering 6'8" first baseman whose brief MLB career was a testament to perseverance and a unique physical profile in the game.
Born 1986 (age 40)·American baseball player·Birthday: December 31·Millennials
Biography
Nate Freiman's path to the majors was as unconventional as his stature. Standing six feet eight inches, he was a literal giant among position players, a fact that both defined and challenged his baseball journey. After a solid career at Duke University, he was drafted but left unprotected in the Rule 5 draft, where the Oakland Athletics snatched him up in 2013. He made the team out of spring training, and his rookie season was punctuated by a memorable game-winning hit against Detroit Tigers ace Justin Verlander. Freiman's power was evident, but carving out a permanent spot in the big leagues proved difficult. After parts of two seasons with Oakland and a stint in the minors with the San Diego Padres organization, his playing career concluded. He transitioned smoothly into a front office role, bringing his unique perspective as a player to the Los Angeles Angels' baseball operations department.
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.
Nate was born in 1986, 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 Nate Was Born
The biggest hits of 1986
#1 Movie
Top Gun
Best Picture
Platoon
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Nate's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1986Born
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1991Started school
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
1999Became a teenager
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Could drive
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2004Could vote
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
2007Turned 21
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
2016Turned 30
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2026Turned 40
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Made his MLB debut with the Oakland Athletics in 2013 after being selected in the Rule 5 draft.
- Delivered a crucial pinch-hit, two-run double against Cy Young winner Justin Verlander for a comeback win in April 2013.
- At 6 feet 8 inches, is recognized as the tallest position player to ever appear in a Major League Baseball game.
- Played a key role in the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas' 2016 Pacific Coast League championship win.
Did You Know?
He was a two-time Academic All-American while playing baseball at Duke University.
He and his wife, former softball player Amanda De La Rosa, co-authored a children's book titled 'The Tallest Tale.'
After retiring, he worked in the Los Angeles Angels' baseball operations department, focusing on player evaluation.
“At six-eight, I had to prove I wasn't just a tall story.”
