Ricky Nolasco
A durable workhorse pitcher who quietly amassed one of the most substantial careers in Florida Marlins history.
Born 1982 (age 44)·American baseball player·Birthday: December 13·Millennials
Biography
In an era of flashier arms and pitch counts, Ricky Nolasco was the definition of a steady innings-eater. For nearly a decade with the Florida/Miami Marlins, he took the ball every fifth day with metronomic consistency, grinding through lineups with a sharp slider and competitive grit. While never an All-Star, he became a franchise fixture, eventually leaving as the Marlins' all-time leader in wins, strikeouts, and innings pitched—a testament to his durability and value to often-rebuilding teams. His career journey later took him to the Dodgers, Twins, and Angels, where he provided veteran stability. Nolasco’s legacy isn't built on a single Cy Young season, but on the accumulated weight of over 1,600 major league innings, the quiet satisfaction of outlasting expectations, and the respect that comes from being the guy a team could always count on to take his turn.
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.
Ricky 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 Ricky Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Ricky'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
- Holds the Miami Marlins franchise records for career wins (81), strikeouts (1,001), and innings pitched (1,225.2).
- Pitched a complete-game one-hit shutout against the Atlanta Braves in 2009.
- Struck out a career-high 16 batters in a single game against the Atlanta Braves in 2009.
Did You Know?
He is of Mexican descent and was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 4th round in 2001.
His 16-strikeout game in 2009 set a Marlins single-game record.
He was traded from the Marlins to the Dodgers in a multi-player deal that included pitcher Josh Beckett in 2012.
“I just try to keep my team in the game for as long as I can.”
