Longest absences from the major leagues.

[Utter Chaos]

I have a brief list, not intended to be comprehensive.
Position players
Jim O'Rourke, Chick Keating (11),
Jim Baumer, Roy Schalk (12),
Joe Cicero (15),
Gabby Street (19),
Charlie O'Leary (21)

Pitchers
Al Epperly (12),
Ken Penner, Jack McFetridge, Ralph Winegarner (13),
Fred Johnson (15),
Clay Touchstone (16),
Paul Schreiber (22)

Found some more:
Fred Lake (12) (player/manager at 43)
Lou Polli (12) (pitched 19 games at age 42 during WWII)
Bobby Schang (12) (caught 3 games at age 40 in 1927)
Harry Smith (12) (one game in AA league in 1889)
Rudy Sommers (12) (pitched part of 2 seasons for Red Sox in the 20's)
Ralph Buxton (11) (pitched 5 games in 1938 and 14 in 1949)
Clyde Sukeforth (11) (batted .294 in 18 games for Brooklyn in 1945 at 43)

[RuthMayBond]

Yeah, that's 12 years to O'Donnell's 11. I thought there might be some wartime examples of bringing someone back for a second look. Once we get the list together it will be interesting to do the research to see how many of these players stayed in the minors during the absence.

I have a brief list, not intended to be comprehensive.
Position players
Jim O'Rourke, Chick Keating (11),
Jim Baumer, Roy Schalk (12),
Joe Cicero (15),
Gabby Street (19),
Charlie O'Leary (21)

Pitchers
Al Epperly (12),
Ken Penner, Jack McFetridge, Ralph Winegarner (13),
Fred Johnson (15),
Clay Touchstone (16),
Paul Schreiber (22)

[Brownieand45sfan]

sorry 22 years to 10 years

[RuthMayBond]

Yeah, that's 12 years to O'Donnell's 11.

Try your math again

[Brownieand45sfan]

Yeah, that's 12 years to O'Donnell's 11. I thought there might be some wartime examples of bringing someone back for a second look. Once we get the list together it will be interesting to do the research to see how many of these players stayed in the minors during the absence. Schreiber was perhaps in military service for some of that time.

I believe Paul Schreiber has him beat

[RuthMayBond]

I believe Paul Schreiber has him beat

[Brownieand45sfan]

Other than the Satchel Paige and Minnie Minoso stunts, and perhaps managers taking a few regulation swings "for fun", is there a longer absence from the bigs than this guy's?:

http://www.baseball-reference.com/o/o'conjo01.shtml

No one could have accused the Tigers of inserting John O'Connell in the lineup for eight games just to boost attendance. lol