Stephen Drew
A slick-fielding shortstop who became a pivotal, clutch-hitting piece of the Boston Red Sox's 2013 World Series championship run.
Born 1983 (age 43)·American baseball player·Birthday: March 16·Millennials
Biography
Stephen Drew carved out a solid 12-year major league career defined by reliable defense and timely hitting, often emerging as a key contributor on winning teams. Part of a remarkable baseball family—both his brothers, J.D. and Tim, also reached the majors—Stephen was a first-round draft pick by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2004. He quickly became their everyday shortstop, known for his smooth glovework and gap power. His tenure in Arizona included a trip to the National League Championship Series in 2007. After stints with Oakland and a serious ankle injury, Drew's career found its most memorable chapter in Boston. Signed mid-season in 2013, he solidified the infield defense and delivered several crucial postseason hits, including a grand slam in the ALCS, helping to propel the Red Sox to a World Series title. He later provided veteran stability for the Yankees and Nationals before retiring. Drew's career wasn't defined by flashy statistics, but by a professional consistency that managers valued highly.
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.
Stephen was born in 1983, 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 Stephen Was Born
The biggest hits of 1983
#1 Movie
Return of the Jedi
Best Picture
Terms of Endearment
#1 TV Show
60 Minutes
Stephen's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1983Born
Internet adopts TCP/IP, creating the modern internet
Gas: $1.16/galHome: $57,700Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Every Breath You Take" — The PoliceBest Picture: Terms of Endearment
1988Started school
Pan Am Flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $74,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Faith" — George MichaelBest Picture: Rain Man
1996Became a teenager
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
1999Could drive
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2001Could vote
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2004Turned 21
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2013Turned 30
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
2023Turned 40
ChatGPT goes mainstream; Israel-Hamas war begins
Gas: $3.52/galHome: $361,600Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Flowers" — Miley CyrusBest Picture: Oppenheimer
2026Age 43 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the World Series with the Boston Red Sox in 2013, contributing key hits throughout the playoffs.
- Hit a grand slam in Game 6 of the 2013 American League Championship Series against the Detroit Tigers.
- Played over 1,200 MLB games as a primary shortstop for five different teams.
- Was selected in the first round (15th overall) of the 2004 MLB draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Did You Know?
He and his brothers J.D. and Tim are one of only a few sets of three brothers to all play in MLB in the modern era.
He hit for the cycle on July 21, 2008, while playing for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
In 2014, he turned down a qualifying offer from the Red Sox and did not sign with a team until mid-season, joining the Yankees.
He was a high school teammate of his future MLB brother, J.D., at Lowndes County High School in Georgia.
“I focused on playing the game the right way, being steady at shortstop every day.”
