Robinson Canó
A second baseman with one of the sweetest left-handed swings of his generation, compiling over 2,600 hits and multiple championships.
Born 1982 (age 44)·Dominican baseball player·Birthday: October 22·Millennials
Biography
Robinson Canó arrived in the New York Yankees' clubhouse with a quiet confidence and a swing that seemed genetically engineered for the Bronx. The son of former major league pitcher José Canó, he inherited not just the name but a preternatural feel for the game. At second base, he moved with a fluid, almost lazy grace that belied his powerful arm and sharp instincts. But it was at the plate where he built his legacy, his smooth, level swing spraying line drives to all fields with metronomic consistency. He was a cornerstone of the Yankees' 2009 World Series championship team, and his prime years in New York and Seattle were marked by Silver Slugger awards and All-Star selections. While later years were complicated by injuries and a suspension, his offensive output from the middle infield position places him among the most potent hitters to ever play his position.
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.
Robinson 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 Robinson Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Robinson'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
- Won the World Series with the New York Yankees in 2009, contributing key hits throughout the postseason.
- Recorded over 2,600 career hits and maintained a lifetime batting average above .300 for many seasons.
- Won five Silver Slugger Awards as the best offensive player at second base in his league.
- Was selected as an All-Star eight times, representing both the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners.
Did You Know?
He and his father, José, are one of only a few father-son duos to both play in a Major League Baseball All-Star Game.
He wore number 24 in honor of his childhood hero, fellow Dominican player Miguel Tejada.
He won the Home Run Derby at the 2011 All-Star Game in Phoenix.
“My swing was a gift from my father; I just polished it every day.”
