Seth Smith
A steady and powerful left-handed hitter who provided reliable offense for five different Major League teams over a decade.
Born 1982 (age 44)·American baseball player·Birthday: September 30·Millennials
Biography
Seth Smith hit .293 against right-handed pitching over 11 major league seasons. The Colorado Rockies drafted him in the second round in 2004, and he played a key role on their 2007 World Series team. Smith's compact, powerful swing made him a dependable presence in the lineup. He moved to Oakland in a 2011 trade, then played for San Diego, Seattle, and Baltimore. Managers valued his professional approach and ability to deliver in clutch situations. Smith never posted flashy statistics, but he maintained consistent production as a platoon outfielder. His work ethic and quiet leadership earned respect in every clubhouse he entered. He finished his career with a .261 batting average, 112 home runs, and a .795 OPS.
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.
Seth 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 Seth Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Seth'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
- Played in the 2007 World Series as a member of the Colorado Rockies.
- Recorded a career batting average of .262 with 98 home runs over 11 MLB seasons.
- Had a standout 2009 season with Colorado, posting a .293 average and 15 home runs in 133 games.
Did You Know?
He was a two-sport athlete at the University of Mississippi, playing both baseball and football as a quarterback.
His brother, Greg Smith, also played minor league baseball.
He was traded three times in his career, including a trade from Oakland to San Diego for pitcher Luke Gregerson.
“My job is to be ready when my name is called and produce a quality at-bat.”
