Philip Humber
A pitcher who etched his name into baseball history with a single, perfect afternoon of work, one of only 24 ever.
Born 1982 (age 44)·American baseball player·Birthday: December 21·Millennials
Biography
Philip Humber's baseball journey was a testament to persistence. A first-round pick by the Mets in 2004, his path to a stable major league role was a winding one, marked by trades and time in the minors. For years, he was known more for his potential than his results. That narrative shifted irrevocably on April 21, 2012, in Seattle. Taking the mound for the Chicago White Sox, Humber delivered a performance for the ages, retiring all 27 batters he faced. His perfect game, the 21st in MLB history at the time, was a stunning culmination of skill and circumstance. While the rest of his career was more journeyman than star, that one flawless day secured his permanent place in the sport's lore, a reminder that greatness can arrive in a single, unforgettable burst.
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.
Philip was born in 1982, 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 Philip Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Philip's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1982Born
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1987Started school
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1995Became a teenager
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Could drive
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2000Could vote
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Turned 21
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2012Turned 30
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
2022Turned 40
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 44 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Pitched the 21st perfect game in Major League Baseball history on April 21, 2012, for the Chicago White Sox.
- Was selected third overall by the New York Mets in the first round of the 2004 MLB draft.
- Played seven seasons in the majors with six different teams, demonstrating professional longevity.
Did You Know?
His perfect game was the first in MLB history to feature a 3-0 count on the final batter, whom he struck out.
He was part of the trade that sent Johan Santana from the Minnesota Twins to the New York Mets in 2008.
He attended Rice University, where he was a teammate of future MLB stars like Jeff Niemann and Wade Townsend.
“You work your whole career for a moment like that.”
