Over The Hill

I am aware that age is just a number. Having just passed an age milestone myself, I have heard that aforemetioned cliche more times than I care to count. However, in professional sports, age does actually seem to matter.  Take a look at the Olympics, most of these athletes "retire" by their 25th birthday.  In football, a running-back is considered to be on his "back nine" before they turn 29. In basketball and baseball, a player is considered to be washed up by time they reach their mid-to-late 30's, an age where most of us are just reaching our profressional prime.

Although, some Major Leaguers do whatever they can to disguise the signs of aging, even going as far as forging their birth certificate, there are several players who have found the proverbial fountain of youth, and have maintained their playing careers well into their 40's.

Here are the current 40+ Major Leaguers:

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Omar Vizquel
Toronto Blue Jays
MLB Service: 24 Years
Age: 45
Career Highlights
2861 Hits, 11 Gold Gloves

Vizquel started his MLB career way back in 1989 as a Mariner. Known more for his flashy glove than his batting, he was half of one of the greatest double play duos in Cleveland with Roberto Alomar.   Although his skills have diminsihed, his is still a very serviceable backup infielder for the Blue Jays.

2012 Stats
38 GP *.217 BA * 0 HR * 3 RBI * 2 SB

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Chipper Jones
Atlanta Braves
MLB Service: 19 Years
Age: 40
Career Highlights
2689 Hits, 464 HR, 8x All-Star


Even at age 40, Chipper is still producing for Atlanta.  A 2012 All-Star, the career Brave third baseman has shown very few signs of aging. Although he will call it quits at this season's end, Jones looks like he has enough gas in the tank for a few more pennant races.

2012 Stats
.316 BA * 10 HR * 45 RBI * 2012 All-Star

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Henry Blanco
Arizona Diamondbacks
MLB Service: 15 Years
Age: 40
Career Highlights
.227 BA, 69 HR, 284 RBI


Never known to be much of a threat at the plate, Blanco has been a very reliable option behind it.  He boasts a .994 fielding percentage, and credits Mike Scioscia with his defensive prowess, having studied under him years ago in the minors.

2012 Stats
.197 BA * 1 HR * 7 RBI



-Kevin Aherne

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Jim Thome
Baltimore Orioles
MLB Service: 22 Years
Age: 41
Career Highlights
.277 BA, 611 HR, 9x All-Star

A true slugger, Thome has hit 30+ Home-Runs in 12 different seasons. In his prime, he was one a pitcher's nightmare. Primarily a DH at this point in his career, Thome has been the rare combination of a deep-ball power threat who rarely strikes out.  He has found a niche as a journeyman slugger, proving to be a very reliable bat in Baltimore's lineup this season.

2012 Stats
48 GP * .252 BA* 7 HR * 21 RBI * .347 OBP

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Darren Oliver
Toronto Blue Jays
MLB Service: 19 Years
Age: 41
Career Highlights
114-91, 4.54 ERA, 1206 SO


A true journeyman, Oliver is currently pitching for his 9th MLB team.  While he has never been an All-Star or won a major award, this guy can still bring the heat.  Darren Oliver is a versatile arm who is comfortable in either the bullpen or the rotation, and is still playing well in his older years.

2012 Stats
2-2 * 1.40 ERA * 39 SO * 0.95 WHIP

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Jamie Moyer
Free Agent
MLB Service: 25 Years
Age: 49
Career Highlights
269-209, 4.25 ERA, 638 Starts


Although he has been released, Jamie Moyer is not quite ready to hang up his spikes. Drafted in 1984, Moyer has been a professional ballplayer for nearly 30 years.  Even in his career twilight, the savvy veteran can still throw strikes in pressure situations.  Maybe he can even become the second player to win a game after their 50th birthday.

2012 Stats
2-5 * 5.70 ERA * 6.0 K/9

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