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List of oldest Major League Baseball players

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List of professional athletes
Rich Hill is the oldest active MLB player.

This is a list of Baseball players. Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization in North America. The oldest person ever to play MLB was Satchel Paige, who, at the age of 59, made a major league appearance twelve years after his Major League career had ended. The oldest player to appear regularly was Jack Quinn, who ended his last season at age 50, having made 14 appearances as a relief pitcher in that final season. The oldest active player is free agent pitcher Rich Hill, who is currently 44 years old.

Key

Pos P C 1B 2B 3B SS LF CF RF OF DH
Position Pitcher Catcher First baseman Second baseman Third baseman Shortstop Left fielder Center fielder Right fielder Outfielder Designated hitter

Oldest players

Satchel Paige is the oldest player ever to play in MLB.
Jack Quinn is the oldest player to appear regularly.
Julio Franco is the oldest position player to appear regularly.

All-time

^ Denotes player who is still active in the MLB as of the 2025 season
* Denotes player who has been inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame
Denotes player who is not yet eligible for Hall of Fame consideration
§ Eligible for Hall of Fame in 2025
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 9 teams
Charley O'Leary SS/2B/3B October 15, 1875 September 30, 1934 58 years, 350 days 3 teams
Nick Altrock P September 15, 1876 October 1, 1933 57 years, 16 days 4 teams
Minnie Miñoso* LF/3B November 29, 1923 October 5, 1980 56 years, 311 days 5 teams
Jim O'Rourke* OF/C/1B September 1, 1850 September 22, 1904 54 years, 21 days 7 teams
String Bean Williams P 1873 1925 51 or 52 years 4 teams
Jack Quinn P July 1, 1883 July 7, 1933 50 years, 6 days 8 teams
Hoyt Wilhelm* P July 26, 1922 July 10, 1972 49 years, 350 days 9 teams
Jimmy Austin 3B/SS December 8, 1879 October 6, 1929 49 years, 302 days 2 teams
Arlie Latham 3B March 15, 1860 September 30, 1909 49 years, 199 days 6 teams
Jamie Moyer P November 18, 1962 May 27, 2012 49 years, 191 days 8 teams
Hughie Jennings* SS/1B April 2, 1869 September 2, 1918 49 years, 153 days 5 teams
Julio Franco SS/2B/1B August 23, 1958 September 17, 2007 49 years, 25 days 8 teams
Gabby Street C September 30, 1882 September 20, 1931 48 years, 355 days 5 teams
Deacon McGuire C/1B November 18, 1863 May 18, 1912 48 years, 182 days 11 teams
Phil Niekro* P April 1, 1939 September 27, 1987 48 years, 179 days 4 teams
Johnny Evers* 2B July 21, 1881 October 6, 1929 48 years, 77 days 4 teams
Kaiser Wilhelm P January 26, 1874 August 21, 1921 47 years, 207 days 5 teams
Hod Lisenbee P September 23, 1898 September 7, 1945 46 years, 349 days 4 teams
Nolan Ryan* P January 31, 1947 September 22, 1993 46 years, 234 days 4 teams
Charlie Hough P January 5, 1948 July 26, 1994 46 years, 202 days 4 teams
Sam Thompson* RF March 5, 1860 September 10, 1906 46 years, 189 days 3 teams
Jesse Orosco P April 21, 1957 September 27, 2003 46 years, 159 days 9 teams
Dan Brouthers* 1B May 8, 1858 October 4, 1904 46 years, 149 days 10 teams
Grover Hartley C July 2, 1888 September 30, 1934 46 years, 90 days 5 teams
Bobo Newsom P August 11, 1907 September 17, 1953 46 years, 37 days 9 teams
Randy Johnson* P September 10, 1963 October 4, 2009 46 years, 24 days 6 teams
Tommy John P May 22, 1943 May 25, 1989 46 years, 3 days 6 teams
C. I. Taylor RF/C January 20, 1875 1921 46 years Indianapolis ABCs (1920–1921)
Kid Gleason 2B/P October 26, 1866 August 27, 1912 45 years, 306 days 7 teams
Carlton Fisk* C December 26, 1947 June 22, 1993 45 years, 178 days 2 teams
Cap Anson* 1B/3B/C April 17, 1852 October 3, 1897 45 years, 169 days 3 teams
Omar Vizquel SS/3B April 24, 1967 October 3, 2012 45 years, 162 days 6 teams
Ichiro Suzuki RF October 22, 1973 March 21, 2019 45 years, 150 days 3 teams
Ted Lyons* P December 28, 1900 May 19, 1946 45 years, 142 days Chicago White Sox (1923–1942, 1946)
Pete Rose OF/1B/3B April 14, 1941 August 17, 1986 45 years, 125 days 3 teams
Bartolo Colón P May 24, 1973 September 22, 2018 45 years, 121 days 11 teams
Fred Johnson P March 10, 1894 May 10, 1939 45 years, 61 days 2 teams
Tim Wakefield P August 2, 1966 September 25, 2011 45 years, 54 days 2 teams
Roger Clemens P August 4, 1962 September 16, 2007 45 years, 43 days 4 teams
Red Faber* P September 6, 1888 September 20, 1933 45 years, 14 days Chicago White Sox (1914–1933)
Gaylord Perry* P September 15, 1938 September 21, 1983 45 years, 6 days 8 teams

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 adding missing items with reliable sources.
Player Pos Birth date Age Team(s) played (years) Ref.
Rich Hill P March 11, 1980 44 years, 301 days 13 teams
Justin Verlander P February 20, 1983 41 years, 321 days 3 teams
Jesse Chavez P August 21, 1983 41 years, 138 days 9 teams
Charlie Morton P November 12, 1983 41 years, 55 days 5 teams
Yuli Gurriel 1B/DH June 9, 1984 40 years, 211 days 3 teams
Max Scherzer P July 27, 1984 40 years, 163 days 6 teams
Justin Turner 1B/DH November 23, 1984 40 years, 44 days 6 teams
David Robertson P April 9, 1985 39 years, 272 days 8 teams
Daniel Bard P June 25, 1985 39 years, 195 days 2 teams
Adam Ottavino P November 22, 1985 39 years, 45 days 5 teams
Matt Carpenter DH November 26, 1985 39 years, 41 days 3 teams
Johnny Cueto P February 15, 1986 38 years, 326 days 6 teams
Carlos Santana 1B April 8, 1986 38 years, 273 days 7 teams
Chris Martin P June 2, 1986 38 years, 218 days 7 teams
Yu Darvish P August 16, 1986 38 years, 143 days 4 teams
Martín Maldonado C August 16, 1986 38 years, 143 days 6 teams
Andrew McCutchen DH/RF October 10, 1986 38 years, 88 days 5 teams
Wade Miley P November 13, 1986 38 years, 54 days 8 teams
Paolo Espino P January 10, 1987 37 years, 362 days 4 teams
Jake Diekman P January 21, 1987 37 years, 351 days 9 teams
José Abreu 1B January 29, 1987 37 years, 343 days 2 teams
Luis García P January 30, 1987 37 years, 342 days 6 teams
Caleb Thielbar P January 31, 1987 37 years, 341 days Minnesota Twins (2013–2015, 2020–2024)
Carlos Carrasco P March 21, 1987 37 years, 291 days 2 teams
Kirby Yates P March 25, 1987 37 years, 287 days 6 teams
Lance Lynn P May 12, 1987 37 years, 239 days 6 teams
Yan Gomes C July 19, 1987 37 years, 171 days 5 teams

Last ten seasons

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.
Player Pos Birth date Last game Age Team(s) played (years) Ref.
Ichiro Suzuki RF October 22, 1973 March 21, 2019 45 years, 150 days 3 teams
Bartolo Colón P May 24, 1973 September 22, 2018 45 years, 121 days 11 teams
Rich Hill P March 11, 1980 September 4, 2024 44 years, 177 days 12 teams
Jason Giambi 1B/DH/LF January 8, 1971 September 27, 2014 43 years, 262 days 4 teams
Nelson Cruz DH/RF July 1, 1980 July 3, 2023 43 years, 2 days 8 teams
R. A. Dickey P October 29, 1974 September 26, 2017 42 years, 332 days 6 teams
LaTroy Hawkins P December 21, 1972 October 3, 2015 42 years, 286 days 11 teams
Albert Pujols 1B/LF/3B January 16, 1980 October 4, 2022 42 years, 261 days 3 teams
Fernando Rodney P March 18, 1977 September 28, 2019 42 years, 194 days 11 teams
Koji Uehara P April 3, 1975 September 2, 2017 42 years, 152 days 4 teams
Raúl Ibañez LF/1B June 2, 1972 September 28, 2014 42 years, 118 days 5 teams
Adam Wainwright P August 30, 1981 October 1, 2023 42 years, 32 days St. Louis Cardinals (2005–2010, 2012–2023)
Joe Nathan P November 22, 1974 September 27, 2016 41 years, 310 days 5 teams
Justin Verlander^ P February 20, 1983 Present 41 years, 321 days 3 teams
Jesse Chavez^ P August 21, 1983 Present 41 years, 138 days 9 teams

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. Jack Quinn is the oldest pitcher to appear regularly; made 14 appearances as a reliever in his final season before his career ended on July 7, 1933, 6 days after turning 50
  4. Julio Franco is the oldest position player to appear regularly; played 55 games in his final season before his career ended on September 9, 2007, 25 days after turning 49

References

  1. "2025 Hall of Fame Candidates". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  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 August 23, 2022.
  6. "Jim O'Rourke Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  7. "String Bean Williams Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  8. "Jack Quinn Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  9. "Hoyt Wilhelm Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  10. "Jimmy Austin Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  11. "Arlie Latham Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  12. "Jamie Moyer Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  13. "Hughie Jennings Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  14. "Julio Franco Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  15. "Gabby Street Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  16. "Deacon McGuire Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  17. "Phil Niekro Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  18. "Johnny Evers Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  19. "Kaiser Wilhelm Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  20. "Hod Lisenbee Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  21. "Nolan Ryan Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  22. "Charlie Hough Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  23. "Sam Thompson Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  24. "Jesse Orosco Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  25. "Dan Brouthers Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  26. "Grover Hartley Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  27. "Bobo Newsom Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  28. "Randy Johnson Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  29. "Tommy John Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  30. "C.I. Taylor Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  31. "Kid Gleason Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  32. "Carlton Fisk Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  33. "Cap Anson Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  34. "Omar Vizquel Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  35. "Ichiro Suzuki Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  36. "Ted Lyons Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  37. "Pete Rose Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  38. "Bartolo Colon Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  39. "Fred Johnson Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  40. "Tim Wakefield Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  41. "Roger Clemens Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  42. "Red Faber Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  43. "Gaylord Perry Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  44. "Rich Hill Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  45. "Justin Verlander Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  46. "Jesse Chavez Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  47. "Charlie Morton Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  48. "Yuli Gurriel Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  49. "Max Scherzer Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  50. "Justin Turner Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  51. "David Robertson Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  52. "Daniel Bard Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  53. "Adam Ottavino Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  54. "Matt Carpenter Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  55. "Johnny Cueto Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  56. "Carlos Santana Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  57. "Chris Martin Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  58. "Yu Darvish Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  59. "Martín Maldonado Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  60. "Andrew McCutchen Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  61. "Wade Miley Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  62. "Paolo Espino Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  63. "Jake Diekman Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  64. "José Abreu Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  65. "Luis García Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  66. "Caleb Thielbar Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  67. "Carlos Carrasco Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  68. "Kirby Yates Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  69. "Lance Lynn Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  70. "Yan Gomes Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
  71. "Ichiro Suzuki Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  72. "Bartolo Colon Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  73. "Rich Hill Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  74. "Jason Giambi Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  75. "Nelson Cruz Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  76. "R. A. Dickey Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  77. "LaTroy Hawkins Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  78. "Albert Pujols Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  79. "Fernando Rodney Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  80. "Koji Uehara Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  81. "Raúl Ibañez Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  82. "Adam Wainwright Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  83. "Joe Nathan Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  84. "Justin Verlander Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  85. "Jesse Chavez Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved August 19, 2021.

External links

This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (August 2008)
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