List of oldest Major League Baseball players

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Jack Quinn in 1919

This is a list of the oldest Major League Baseball (MLB) players, with their last season in parentheses. Only baseball players who played at least one game when they were older than 45 are included on the list. Active are players in bold type.

Oldest players[]

All-time[]

Jamie Moyer signing autographs
Roger Clemens with the Astros
^ Denotes player who is still active in the MLB as of the 2021 season[a]
* Denotes player who has been inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame
† Denotes player who is not yet eligible for Hall of Fame consideration[b]
§ Eligible for Hall of Fame in 2022[1]
Player Pos Birth date Last game Age Team(s) played (years) Ref.
Satchel Paige* P July 7, 1906 September 25, 1965 59 years, 80 days
3 teams
 [2]
Charley O'Leary SS October 15, 1875 September 30, 1934 58 years, 350 days
3 teams
 [3]
Nick Altrock P September 15, 1876 October 1, 1933 57 years, 16 days
4 teams
 [4]
Minnie Miñoso LF November 29, 1925 October 5, 1980 54 years, 311 days
4 teams
 [5]
Jim O'Rourke* OF September 1, 1850 September 22, 1904 54 years, 21 days
7 teams
 [6]
String Bean Williams P 1873 1925 51 or 52 years [7]
Jack Quinn[8] P July 1, 1883 July 7, 1933 50 years, 6 days
8 teams
 [9]
Hoyt Wilhelm* P July 26, 1922 July 10, 1972 49 years, 350 days
9 teams
 [10]
Jimmy Austin 3B December 8, 1879 October 6, 1929 49 years, 302 days
2 teams
 [11]
Arlie Latham 3B March 15, 1860 September 30, 1909 49 years, 199 days
6 teams
 [12]
Jamie Moyer P November 18, 1962 May 27, 2012 49 years, 191 days
8 teams
 [13]
Hughie Jennings* SS/1B April 2, 1869 September 2, 1918 49 years, 153 days
5 teams
 [14]
Julio Franco INF August 23, 1958 September 17, 2007 49 years, 25 days
8 teams
 [15]
Gabby Street C September 30, 1882 September 20, 1931 48 years, 355 days
5 teams
    • Cincinnati Reds (1904–1905)
    • Boston Beaneaters (1905)
    • Cincinnati Reds (1905)
    • Washington Senators (1908–1911)
    • New York Highlanders (1912)
    • St. Louis Cardinals (1931)
 [16]
Deacon McGuire C November 18, 1863 May 18, 1912 48 years, 182 days
11 teams
 [17]
Phil Niekro* P April 1, 1939 September 27, 1987 48 years, 179 days
4 teams
 [18]
Johnny Evers* 2B July 21, 1881 October 6, 1929 48 years, 77 days
4 teams
 [19]
Kaiser Wilhelm P January 26, 1874 August 21, 1921 47 years, 207 days
5 teams
 [20]
Hod Lisenbee P September 23, 1898 September 7, 1945 46 years, 349 days
4 teams
 [21]
Nolan Ryan* P January 31, 1947 September 22, 1993 46 years, 234 days
4 teams
 [22]
Charlie Hough P January 5, 1948 July 26, 1994 46 years, 202 days
4 teams
 [23]
Sam Thompson* RF March 5, 1860 September 10, 1906 46 years, 189 days
3 teams
 [24]
Jesse Orosco P April 21, 1957 September 27, 2003 46 years, 159 days
9 teams
 [25]
Dan Brouthers* 1B May 8, 1858 October 4, 1904 46 years, 149 days
10 teams
 [26]
Grover Hartley C July 2, 1888 September 30, 1934 46 years, 90 days
5 teams
 [27]
Bobo Newsom P August 11, 1907 September 17, 1953 46 years, 37 days
9 teams
 [28]
Randy Johnson* P September 10, 1963 October 4, 2009 46 years, 24 days
6 teams
 [29]
Tommy John P May 22, 1943 May 25, 1989 46 years, 3 days
6 teams
 [30]
C.I. Taylor RF/C January 20, 1875 1921 46 years Indianapolis ABCs (1920–1921) [31]
Kid Gleason 2B/P October 26, 1866 August 27, 1912 45 years, 306 days
7 teams
 [32]
Carlton Fisk* C December 26, 1947 June 22, 1993 45 years, 178 days
2 teams
 [33]
Cap Anson* 1B April 17, 1852 October 3, 1897 45 years, 169 days
3 teams
 [34]
Omar Vizquel SS April 24, 1967 October 3, 2012 45 years, 162 days
6 teams
 [35]
Ichiro Suzuki† RF October 22, 1973 March 21, 2019 45 years, 150 days
3 teams
 [36]
Ted Lyons* P December 28, 1900 May 19, 1946 45 years, 142 days Chicago White Sox (1923–1942, 1946) [37]
Pete Rose OF/INF April 14, 1941 August 17, 1986 45 years, 125 days
3 teams
 [38]
Bartolo Colón† P May 24, 1973 September 22, 2018 45 years, 121 days
11 teams
    • Cleveland Indians (1997–2002)
    • Montreal Expos (2002)
    • Chicago White Sox (2003)
    • Anaheim Angels / Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2004–2007)
    • Boston Red Sox (2008)
    • Chicago White Sox (2009)
    • New York Yankees (2011)
    • Oakland Athletics (2012–2013)
    • New York Mets (2014–2016)
    • Atlanta Braves (2017)
    • Minnesota Twins (2017)
    • Texas Rangers (2018)
 [39]
Fred Johnson P March 10, 1894 May 10, 1939 45 years, 61 days
2 teams
 [40]
Tim Wakefield P August 2, 1966 September 25, 2011 45 years, 54 days
2 teams
 [41]
Roger Clemens P August 4, 1962 September 16, 2007 45 years, 43 days
4 teams
 [42]
Red Faber* P September 6, 1888 September 20, 1933 45 years, 14 days Chicago White Sox (1914–1933) [43]
Gaylord Perry* P September 15, 1938 September 21, 1983 45 years, 6 days
8 teams
 [44]

Note: Paige, O'Leary, O'Rourke, Jennings, Street, McGuire and Evers each made one token major league appearance years (or even decades) after their careers had otherwise ended. The careers of Altrock, Miñoso, Austin, and Latham had also effectively ended many years before their final major league appearances, though each were brought back for token appearances several times (spanning several seasons) before their final game. Julio Franco is the oldest position player to appear regularly.

Active[]

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by with reliable sources.
Player Pos Birth date Age Team(s) played (years) Ref.
Albert Pujols 1B January 16, 1980 41 years, 346 days
3 teams
    • St. Louis Cardinals (2001–2011)
    • Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim / Angels (2012–2021)
    • Los Angeles Dodgers (2021–present)
 [45]
Rich Hill P March 11, 1980 41 years, 292 days
11 teams
    • Chicago Cubs (2005–2008)
    • Baltimore Orioles (2009)
    • Boston Red Sox (2010–2012)
    • Cleveland Indians (2013)
    • Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2014)
    • New York Yankees (2014)
    • Boston Red Sox (2015)
    • Oakland Athletics (2016)
    • Los Angeles Dodgers (2016–2019)
    • Minnesota Twins (2020)
    • Tampa Bay Rays (2021)
    • New York Mets (2021–present)
 [46]
Nelson Cruz DH July 1, 1980 41 years, 180 days
6 teams
 [47]
Adam Wainwright P August 30, 1981 40 years, 120 days St. Louis Cardinals (2005–2010, 2012–present) [48]
Yadier Molina C July 13, 1982 39 years, 168 days St. Louis Cardinals (2004–present) [49]
J. A. Happ P October 19, 1982 39 years, 70 days
8 teams
 [50]
Robinson Canó 2B October 22, 1982 39 years, 67 days
3 teams
 [51]
Darren O'Day P October 22, 1982 39 years, 67 days
6 teams
    • Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2008)
    • New York Mets (2009)
    • Texas Rangers (2009–2011)
    • Baltimore Orioles (2012–2018)
    • Atlanta Braves (2019–2020)
    • New York Yankees (2021–present)
 [52]
Ervin Santana P December 12, 1982 39 years, 16 days
5 teams
    • Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2005–2012)
    • Kansas City Royals (2013)
    • Atlanta Braves (2014)
    • Minnesota Twins (2015–2018)
    • Chicago White Sox (2019)
    • Kansas City Royals (2021–present)
 [53]
Justin Verlander P February 20, 1983 38 years, 311 days
2 teams
 [54]
Sergio Romo P March 4, 1983 38 years, 299 days
6 teams
 [55]
John Axford P April 1, 1983 38 years, 271 days
8 teams
 [56]
Miguel Cabrera 1B/DH April 18, 1983 38 years, 254 days
2 teams
 [57]
Jesse Chavez P August 21, 1983 38 years, 129 days
9 teams
    • Pittsburgh Pirates (2008–2009)
    • Atlanta Braves (2010)
    • Kansas City Royals (2010–2011)
    • Toronto Blue Jays (2012)
    • Oakland Athletics (2012–2015)
    • Toronto Blue Jays (2016)
    • Los Angeles Dodgers (2016)
    • Los Angeles Angels (2017)
    • Texas Rangers (2018)
    • Chicago Cubs (2018)
    • Texas Rangers (2019–2020)
    • Atlanta Braves (2021–present)
 [58]
Brett Gardner OF August 24, 1983 38 years, 126 days New York Yankees (2008–present) [59]
Joey Votto 1B September 10, 1983 38 years, 109 days Cincinnati Reds (2007–present) [60]
Kurt Suzuki C October 4, 1983 38 years, 85 days
5 teams
 [61]
Zack Greinke P October 21, 1983 38 years, 68 days
6 teams
 [62]
Charlie Morton P November 12, 1983 38 years, 46 days
5 teams
 [63]
Jon Lester P January 7, 1984 37 years, 355 days
5 teams
    • Boston Red Sox (2006–2014)
    • Oakland Athletics (2014)
    • Chicago Cubs (2015–2020)
    • Washington Nationals (2021)
    • St. Louis Cardinals (2021–present)
 [64]
Craig Stammen P March 9, 1984 37 years, 294 days
2 teams
    • Washington Nationals (2009–2015)
    • San Diego Padres (2017–present)
 [65]
Joe Smith P March 22, 1984 37 years, 281 days
7 teams
 [66]
Jed Lowrie 2B April 17, 1984 37 years, 255 days
4 teams
 [67]

In the postseason[]

Player Team Postseason Age
Julio Franco NY Mets 2006 NLCS 48 years, 52 days
Jack Quinn Philadelphia Athletics 1930 World Series 47 years, 95 days
Jack Quinn Philadelphia Athletics 1929 World Series 46 years, 103 days
Jamie Moyer Philadelphia Phillies 2008 World Series 45 years, 342 days
Roger Clemens New York Yankees 2007 ALDS 45 years, 64 days
Jamie Moyer Philadelphia Phillies 2007 NLDS 44 years, 322 days
Sam Rice Washington Senators 1933 World Series 43 years, 226 days
Phil Niekro Atlanta Braves 1982 NLCS 43 years, 191 days
David Wells San Diego Padres 2006 NLDS 43 years, 138 days
Roger Clemens Houston Astros 2005 World Series 43 years, 79 days
Randy Johnson New York Yankees 2006 ALDS 43 years, 31 days
  • Note: Phil Niekro's start came in the first game of the 1982 NLCS. However, with the Braves leading the St. Louis Cardinals 1–0, the game was delayed on account of rain. When the rain did not clear, the game was called three outs before it could be considered official, and was restarted the following night with Braves pitcher Pascual Pérez getting the start. The Braves would lose the game 7–0. [68]

Youngest players[]

All-time[]

^ Denotes player who is still active in MLB as of the 2021 season[c]
* Denotes player who has been inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame
† Denotes player who is not yet eligible for Hall of Fame consideration[d]
Player Pos Birth date First game Age Team(s) played (years) Ref.
Joe Nuxhall P July 30, 1928 June 10, 1944 15 years, 316 days
3 teams
 [69]
Willie McGill P November 10, 1873 May 8, 1890 16 years, 179 days
6 teams
 [70]
Joe Stanley OF April 2, 1881 September 11, 1897 16 years, 162 days
4 teams
 [71]
Tommy Brown UTL December 6, 1927 August 3, 1944 16 years, 241 days
3 teams
 [72]
Carl Scheib P January 1, 1927 September 6, 1943 16 years, 248 days
2 teams
 [73]
Jim Derrington P November 29, 1939 September 30, 1956 16 years, 306 days Chicago White Sox (1956–1957) [74]
Putsy Caballero 2B/3B November 5, 1927 September 14, 1944 16 years, 314 days Philadelphia Phillies (1944–1945, 1947–1952) [75]
Roger McKee P September 16, 1926 August 18, 1943 16 years, 336 days Philadelphia Phillies (1943–1944) [76]
Alex George SS September 27, 1938 September 16, 1955 16 years, 354 days Kansas City Athletics (1955) [77]

Active[]

See also[]

Notes[]

  1. ^ A player is considered inactive if he has announced his retirement or has not played for a full season.
  2. ^ A player is not eligible for induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum unless he has ten years of major league experience and has either been fully retired for five full seasons or has been dead for six full months.
  3. ^ A player is considered inactive if he has announced his retirement or has not played for a full season.
  4. ^ A player is not eligible for induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum unless he has ten years of major league experience and has been fully retired for five full seasons.

References[]

  1. ^ "2022 Hall of Fame Candidates". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  2. ^ "Satchel Paige Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  3. ^ "Charley O'Leary Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  4. ^ "Nick Altrock Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  5. ^ "Minnie Miñoso Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  6. ^ "Jim O'Rourke Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  7. ^ https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/willist03.shtml. Retrieved December 3, 2021. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  8. ^ Oldest pitcher to appear regularly; made 14 appearance as a reliever in his final season before his career ended on July 7, 1933, 6 days after turning 50
  9. ^ "Jack Quinn Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  10. ^ "Hoyt Wilhelm Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  11. ^ "Jimmy Austin Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  12. ^ "Arlie Latham Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  13. ^ "Jamie Moyer Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  14. ^ "Hughie Jennings Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  15. ^ "Julio Franco Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  16. ^ "Gabby Street Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  17. ^ "Deacon McGuire Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  18. ^ "Phil Niekro Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  19. ^ "Johnny Evers Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  20. ^ "Kaiser Wilhelm Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  21. ^ "Hod Lisenbee Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  22. ^ "Nolan Ryan Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  23. ^ "Charlie Hough Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  24. ^ "Sam Thompson Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  25. ^ "Jesse Orosco Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  26. ^ "Dan Brouthers Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  27. ^ "Grover Hartley Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  28. ^ "Bobo Newsom Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  29. ^ "Randy Johnson Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  30. ^ "Tommy John Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  31. ^ https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/tayloci01.shtml. Retrieved December 2, 2021. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  32. ^ "Kid Gleason Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  33. ^ "Carlton Fisk Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  34. ^ "Cap Anson Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  35. ^ "Omar Vizquel Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  36. ^ "Ichiro Suzuki Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  37. ^ "Ted Lyons Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  38. ^ "Pete Rose Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  39. ^ "Bartolo Colon Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  40. ^ "Fred Johnson Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  41. ^ "Tim Wakefield Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  42. ^ "Roger Clemens Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  43. ^ "Red Faber Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  44. ^ "Gaylord Perry Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  45. ^ "Albert Pujols Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  46. ^ "Rich Hill Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  47. ^ "Nelson Cruz Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  48. ^ "Adam Wainwright Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  49. ^ "Yadier Molina Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  50. ^ "J.A. Happ Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  51. ^ "Robinson Canó Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  52. ^ "Darren O'Day Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  53. ^ "Ervin Santana Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  54. ^ "Justin Verlander Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  55. ^ "Sergio Romo Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  56. ^ "John Axford Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  57. ^ "Miguel Cabrera Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  58. ^ "Jesse Chavez Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  59. ^ "Brett Gardner Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  60. ^ "Joey Votto Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  61. ^ "Kurt Suzuki Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  62. ^ "Zack Greinke Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  63. ^ "Charlie Morton Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  64. ^ "Jon Lester Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  65. ^ "Craig Stammen Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  66. ^ "Joe Smith Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  67. ^ "Jed Lowrie Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  68. ^ "1982 NLCS Statistics. St. Louis Cardinals vs Atlanta Braves".
  69. ^ "Joe Nuxhall Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  70. ^ "Willie McGill Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  71. ^ "Joe Stanley Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  72. ^ "Tommy Brown Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  73. ^ "Carl Scheib Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  74. ^ "Jim Derrington Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  75. ^ "Putsy Caballero Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  76. ^ "Roger McKee Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  77. ^ "Alex George Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved August 3, 2020.

External links[]

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