Orlando Hudson
A dazzling defensive wizard at second base whose acrobatic plays and infectious energy earned him four Gold Gloves and changed games with his glove.
Born 1977 (age 49)·American baseball player·Birthday: December 12·Generation X
Biography
Orlando 'O-Dog' Hudson played the infield with a combination of athletic artistry and uncontainable joy that made him a fan favorite wherever he went. While a solid switch-hitter, his true legacy was forged with his glove; he possessed an uncanny ability to range far to his right, diving to snag grounders and unleashing strong, accurate throws from seemingly impossible angles. After breaking in with Toronto, he won Gold Gloves in both the American and National Leagues, a rare feat that underscored his universal defensive brilliance. Hudson was also a clubhouse catalyst, known for his broad smile and leadership. His 2009 season with the Dodgers culminated in an All-Star selection and showcased his complete game. More than just a highlight reel, Hudson was a consistent force who redefined defensive excellence at his position for a decade.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Orlando was born in 1977, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Orlando Was Born
The biggest hits of 1977
#1 Movie
Star Wars
Best Picture
Annie Hall
#1 TV Show
Happy Days
Orlando's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1977Born
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1982Started school
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1990Became a teenager
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
1993Could drive
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
1995Could vote
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Turned 21
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2007Turned 30
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
2017Turned 40
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 49 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won four Rawlings Gold Glove Awards (2005, 2006, 2007, 2009), capturing the honor in both the American and National Leagues.
- Selected to the National League All-Star team in 2009 as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
- Hit for the cycle on August 29, 2009, as a Dodger, becoming the first player in franchise history to do so at Dodger Stadium.
- Was a key defensive starter for the Arizona Diamondbacks team that reached the NLCS in 2007.
Did You Know?
He founded the 'Catching Dreams' Foundation, which provides support for children with autism and their families.
Hudson was the first MLB player to openly discuss being diagnosed with autism within his family, becoming an advocate for awareness.
He hit a grand slam in his first postseason at-bat in 2007 for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
He popularized the 'O-Dog' nickname, which became synonymous with his energetic style of play.
“A good glove will keep you in the game a long time.”
