If there is one thing that is inevitable in sports, it’s that time will catch up to you. One day, you will be too old to play the game you love. For me, that was the ripe age of 18. One last season of summer ball, I would never swing a bat in a competitive baseball game again. It was off to slow-pitch softball and beer bellies for me. Some players flame out after a few seasons, floating from team to team. A few players can go on to have long careers and then slowly fade into a shell of themselves, letting Father Time do his job. Some players, however, go on to play the game they love well into their thirties into their forties. Here are some of the oldest active MLB players who continue to make an impact on their respective teams.
The Oldest MLB Players Still Making an Impact
Justin Verlander, SP, Houston Astros (41)
Justin Verlander started the season on the injured list but has since returned. The big right-hander is no longer the imposing force he once was on the mound, but is still getting the job done. He has made four starts so far this season for the Houston Astros and has compiled a 1-1 record. The three-time Cy Young winner was much sharper in his first three starts, giving up four earned runs and striking out 13 in 17 1/3 innings pitched. On Tuesday, Verlander ran into a Yankees team that touched him up for seven earned runs in only five innings pitched. Verlander will pitch his next game against his former team, the Detroit Tigers, and hopefully get back on track.
Charlie Morton, SP, Atlanta Braves (40)
Charlie Morton is now five years removed from finishing in the top three in Cy Young voting and being an All-Star. Morton has chewed up over 150 innings during his last three years with Atlanta. While he may be years removed from being an All-Star caliber player, he serves his purpose with the Braves. He is expected to go out and give five to six innings and keep the game close. This hasn’t been too difficult with the Braves scoring just over five runs a game. Morton holds a 2-0 record through six games pitched this season. Pitchers like Morton who generally limit damage are invaluable during the postseason, and that’s where Atlanta plans on being in October.
Charlie Morton, Literal Back Foot Curveball. 🤣
Adding injury to insult. pic.twitter.com/Ez0AIEObQ4
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 14, 2024
Justin Turner, DH, Toronto Blue Jays (39)
For the better part of a decade, Justin Turner was a mainstay in Dodger Blue. In 2023 Turner was scooped up by the Boston Red Sox and, for the most part, was written off. All Turner did was turn out the same productivity he has for the last several years. Now with Toronto, Turner has churned out more of the same. So far this season Turner is slashing .270/.344/.443 with four home runs and 16 runs batted in. This puts Turner right in line, albeit a few points shy, with his lifetime slash line of .287/.363./.465. He is also on pace to hit around 20 home runs and 80 runs batted in at his current pace. If Turner can stay healthy, he will be the most productive position player aged 39 or older.
Justin Turner has his second home run of the night! pic.twitter.com/zWArQHxfSH
— MLB (@MLB) April 30, 2024
David Robertson, RP, Texas Rangers (39)
David Robertson has already pitched in 17 games this season, all in relief, and is one of the few bright spots in a (so far) lackluster Texas bullpen. Robertson has only given up two earned runs, none since April 17, this season in 20 2/3 innings pitched. He has lowered his ERA from 1.69 to 0.87 over the last month. Robertson has 27 strikeouts to his seven walks as well. He does not yet qualify for leading the American League in WHIP due to innings pitched, but if he did qualify he would be tied for the American League lead with Tarik Skubal at this point in the season. If Robertson keeps this up, he will easily be the best pitcher on this list by the end of the season.
Other Notable “Old” Players Still Playing
- Carlos Santana, 1B, Minnesota Twins, (38) – Slashing .181/.269/.588 with four home runs and 13 RBI in 116 at-bats.
- Adam Ottavino, RP, New York Mets, (38) – Sporting a 3.14 ERA in 14 innings pitched but has 24 strikeouts to his five walks.
- Jesse Chavez, RP, Atlanta Braves (40) – Only used in ten games so far this season but has only given up two earned runs, both solo shots.
Main Photo Credits: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
