So this is really going to happen. Barring a terribly disappointing injury in the next few days, Jamie Moyer will soon become the second-oldest man to start a game in Major League Baseball's long history, and the oldest to start more than once.
Jamie Moyer Wins Spot In Rockies’ Rotation
In 1965, Satchel Paige started one game for the Kansas City Athletics. He was 58 years old, and pitched three scoreless innings against the Boston Red Sox. But that was obviously a stunt; it was Paige's first appearance in the majors since 1953, and would be his last.
Aside from Paige, the oldest major-league starter was Phil Niekro, 48 when he made 26 starts in 1987.
Satchel Paige was a performer; Phil Niekro was a knuckleballer. Meanwhile, Jamie Moyer is just another (relatively) conventional pitcher, except that he's 49 years old and has officially earned a spot in the Colorado Rockies' pitching rotation. That's the word from Troy Renck (who's been on this story from Day 1 of spring training).
Even better, Moyer's actually going to be the Rockies' No. 2 starter, with the lefty slotted between right-handers Jeremy Guthrie and Juan Nicasio.
Obviously, there’s no telling how long Moyer will last. Past the All-Star break will be an upset, though, as injuries or ineffectiveness are likely to take their toll as Moyer does something that nobody’s ever done before.
Still, one start or 30 starts, Jamie Moyer is an amazing athlete and won’t soon be forgotten.
For more on Moyer and the Rockies, please visit Purple Row.
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