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In one of a short series of articles not pertaining to Barry you-know-who (who happens to be mentioned anyway) 
, we're here to discuss older players and their impact on baseball. Also included is one late 40-something named Julio Franco. 
Over the hill gang
Super generation of players set for one more shot at greatness
, we're here to discuss older players and their impact on baseball. Also included is one late 40-something named Julio Franco. Over the hill gang
Super generation of players set for one more shot at greatness
When newly-signed Julio Franco showed up for spring training in February, no one in Mets camp was happier to see him than Tom Glavine. Soon to be 40 at the time, Glavine was no longer the oldest player on the team. More than seven years younger than Franco, in fact, it wasn't even close.
"We all want to know what his secret is," Glavine said that day. "But you know, who's to say what old is anymore? A lot of guys are playing longer than they ever thought they would, myself included. Age doesn't mean what it used to in baseball."
Indeed, Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson and Barry Bonds are seemingly redefining the notion of age limitations, but they are only a few of the graybeards in baseball these days who remain vital to their teams' hopes of winning as a new season begins.
As such, it seems that the definition of "old age" has changed more than perhaps anyone could have imagined in the days before personal trainers, year-round conditioning regimens, nutritional enlightenment, and arthroscopic surgery, to name a few of the more important factors in extending careers over the last couple of decades.
Steroids may or may not be a factor as well, in allowing at least some players to play longer and more productively into their late 30s and beyond. The cloud of suspicion hanging over Bonds has created a certain skepticism about older players performing at a high level, but it's not as if there haven't been players over the years who have defied age barriers.
After all, Nolan Ryan won 71 games after turning 40, and pitched until he was 46. Stan Musial hit .330 at the age of 41. Warren Spahn went 23-7 with a 2.60 ERA at age 42. Ted Williams hit .316 with 29 home runs at age 42. Ty Cobb hit .353 at age 40.
"We all want to know what his secret is," Glavine said that day. "But you know, who's to say what old is anymore? A lot of guys are playing longer than they ever thought they would, myself included. Age doesn't mean what it used to in baseball."
Indeed, Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson and Barry Bonds are seemingly redefining the notion of age limitations, but they are only a few of the graybeards in baseball these days who remain vital to their teams' hopes of winning as a new season begins.
As such, it seems that the definition of "old age" has changed more than perhaps anyone could have imagined in the days before personal trainers, year-round conditioning regimens, nutritional enlightenment, and arthroscopic surgery, to name a few of the more important factors in extending careers over the last couple of decades.
Steroids may or may not be a factor as well, in allowing at least some players to play longer and more productively into their late 30s and beyond. The cloud of suspicion hanging over Bonds has created a certain skepticism about older players performing at a high level, but it's not as if there haven't been players over the years who have defied age barriers.
After all, Nolan Ryan won 71 games after turning 40, and pitched until he was 46. Stan Musial hit .330 at the age of 41. Warren Spahn went 23-7 with a 2.60 ERA at age 42. Ted Williams hit .316 with 29 home runs at age 42. Ty Cobb hit .353 at age 40.
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