Ozzie Albies
A compact powerhouse at second base, his infectious joy and switch-hitting brilliance became a cornerstone of Atlanta's modern dynasty.
Born 1997 (age 29)·Curaçaoan baseball player·Birthday: January 7·Generation Z
Biography
Ozzie Albies arrived in Atlanta from Curaçao as a teenager and quickly rewired expectations for what a modern second baseman could be. Standing just 5'8", he plays with a turbocharged style, combining surprising power from both sides of the plate with slick defensive skills and baserunning savvy. Alongside Ronald Acuña Jr., he formed one of the most dynamic young duos in baseball, his perpetual smile and energetic play embodying the Braves' revitalized spirit. His 2019 season was a breakout, earning a Silver Slugger award and establishing him as an elite offensive force at his position. The pinnacle came in 2021, when his consistent production helped fuel the Braves' unexpected run to a World Series title. Albies' story is one of overcoming physical preconceptions through sheer skill and an unwavering, joyful competitiveness that makes him the engine room of a perennial contender.
Generation Z
1997–2012
Born into smartphones, social media, and school shootings. The most diverse generation in history. Pragmatic about money, fluid about identity, anxious about the climate. They do not remember a world before the internet.
Ozzie was born in 1997, placing them squarely in the Generation Z. The events that shaped this generation — social media, climate anxiety, and a pandemic — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Ozzie Was Born
The biggest hits of 1997
#1 Movie
Titanic
Best Picture
Titanic
#1 TV Show
ER
Ozzie's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1997Born
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2002Started school
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2010Became a teenager
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2013Could drive
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2015Could vote
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2018Turned 21
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 29 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the World Series with the Atlanta Braves in 2021.
- A three-time MLB All-Star (2018, 2021, 2023).
- Won the National League Silver Slugger Award for second basemen in both 2019 and 2021.
- Signed an early seven-year, $35 million contract extension in 2019, a team-friendly deal that became famous in baseball circles.
Did You Know?
He is one of the few players in MLB history to hit 30 home runs and steal 15 bases in a season while standing 5'8" or shorter.
Albies and Ronald Acuña Jr. are the first pair of teammates aged 21 or younger to each hit 20+ homers in a season.
He wears jersey number 1 because it was the only single-digit number available when he was called up to the majors.
He is fluent in four languages: English, Spanish, Dutch, and Papiamento.
“I just go out there and play the game I love. I play with a lot of energy, and I think that's what people see.”
