Who is the Oldest MLB Baseball Player Still Playing?
Baseball is a sport steeped in tradition and has been around for centuries. For most of its history, the Major League Baseball (MLB) has been populated by a mix of young athletes and seasoned veterans. As such, many of the best players in the game can be found in the latter category.
This article will take a look at who the oldest MLB baseball player still playing is, their career highlights and how they have managed to remain at the top of their game for so long.
The Oldest MLB Player: Bartolo Colon
Bartolo Colon is the oldest MLB player currently playing and is 45 years old. He was born on May 24th, 1973 in the Dominican Republic and began his MLB career in 1997, when he pitched for the Cleveland Indians. He has since played for the Montreal Expos, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, Atlanta Braves and the Texas Rangers.
Colon’s Career Highlights
Bartolo Colon has had quite a successful career in the MLB. He has been selected to the All-Star Game four times (2002, 2003, 2005, and 2013). He was also the 2005 American League Cy Young Award winner, and was named the 2010 AL Comeback Player of the Year.
He has achieved a number of other accomplishments during his career as well, including becoming the oldest pitcher to throw a complete game shutout (at the age of 40 in 2013). He also became the first pitcher to win a game in three different decades (1990s, 2000s, and 2010s).
Finally, Colon is one of only three pitchers to win at least 200 games in both the American League and National League.
Colon’s Longevity
So how has Colon managed to remain one of the top players in the MLB for so long? The answer lies in both his commitment to fitness and dedication to the game.
Colon has always been known as an extremely hard worker, and has kept himself in great physical shape throughout his career. He has also been known to use a variety of training techniques to help him stay in top form.
In addition to his physical fitness, Colon has also proved to be a very resilient player. He has been able to overcome injuries and setbacks throughout his career, and continues to remain an effective pitcher despite his age.
MLB’s Other Oldest Players
Whilst Bartolo Colon is the oldest MLB player still playing, there are a number of other older players in the league. Here are some of the other oldest players in the MLB:
- R.A. Dickey: Dickey is a 43-year-old pitcher for the Atlanta Braves. He is a knuckleball specialist and has been in the league since 2010.
- Adrian Beltre: Beltre is a 39-year-old third baseman for the Texas Rangers. He has been in the league since 1998 and is a four-time All-Star.
- Miguel Cabrera: Cabrera is a 37-year-old first baseman for the Detroit Tigers. He has been in the league since 2003 and is a two-time MVP.
- Felix Hernandez: Hernandez is a 33-year-old pitcher for the Seattle Mariners. He has been in the league since 2005 and is a six-time All-Star.
- Bryce Harper: Harper is a 28-year-old outfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies. He has been in the league since 2012 and is a six-time All-Star.
The Future for Colon
It remains to be seen how much longer Bartolo Colon will stay in the MLB. He is currently signed with the Texas Rangers, and will likely remain with them for the 2019 season. However, it is uncertain how much longer he will remain an effective pitcher, as age will eventually catch up to him.
The Impact of Colon
Regardless of how much longer he plays, Bartolo Colon has undoubtedly had a major impact on MLB. He has been a consistent presence in the league for over two decades, and is an inspiration for players of all ages.
Colon has also been a great ambassador for the Dominican Republic, as he is one of the country’s most successful exports to the MLB.
Conclusion
Bartolo Colon is the oldest MLB player still playing and has had an impressive career. He has remained at the top of his game for a long time due to his dedication to fitness and resilience. He is an inspiration for players of all ages, and his impact on the MLB will be felt for many years to come.