Travis Wood
A versatile and gritty left-handed pitcher who transformed from a Reds starter into a vital, multi-inning weapon for the Cubs' historic 2016 championship team.
Born 1987 (age 39)·American baseball player·Birthday: February 6·Millennials
Biography
Travis Wood's baseball career is a lesson in adaptation. Drafted by the Cincinnati Reds, he began as a promising starting pitcher, even making the National League All-Star team in 2013. But his legacy was forged in Chicago. With the Cubs, Wood reinvented himself as a Swiss Army knife out of the bullpen, a left-hander who could provide long relief, face tough lefty batters, and even contribute with his bat—he famously hit a home run in the 2016 NLCS. His unflappable demeanor and willingness to take the ball in any situation made him a clubhouse favorite and a critical, if unsung, component of the team that broke the 108-year World Series curse. His career arc showed that value isn't always found in a defined role, but in readiness.
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.
Travis was born in 1987, 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 Travis Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Travis's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
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
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
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
2003Could drive
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
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won a World Series championship with the Chicago Cubs in 2016.
- Selected as a National League All-Star in 2013 while with the Chicago Cubs.
- Hit a home run as a relief pitcher in Game 2 of the 2016 NLCS against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
- Pitched in 77 games for the Cubs in 2016, primarily out of the bullpen, posting a 2.95 ERA.
Did You Know?
He was traded from the Reds to the Cubs in a 2011 deal for relief pitcher Sean Marshall.
In 2016, he became the first relief pitcher to hit a postseason home run since 1924.
He recorded a save in the epic 2016 World Series Game 7, pitching a scoreless top of the 10th inning.
“I took the ball whenever they gave it to me, starter's day or from the pen.”
