A quinquagenarian is a long word to describe someone who is in their 50s. In MLB history, only six players have made an appearance in a regular season game at age 50 or older. I started a mini-collection of such players a while back and thought today I would share the major leaguers who made it past 50. All of these players, not surprisingly, only appeared in a handful of games or less after they turned 50.
Satchel Paige
Last MLB appearance: 1965 (age 59)
Paige played four seasons at the AAA level during his 50s, three with the Miami Marlins (Phillies affiliate) and one with the Portland Beavers (Cardinals affiliate). Of all the players appearing in MLB during their 50s, Paige clearly had the best resume.
Charley O'Leary
Last MLB appearance: 1934 (age 58)
O'Leary made just one appearance with the 1934 St. Louis Browns, as a pinch hitter. He made the most of it, recording a single and scoring a run.
Nick Altrock
Last MLB appearance: 1933 (age 57)
Altrock made three single game appearances during his 50s with the Washington Senators, in 1929, 1931, and 1933.
Minnie Minoso
Last MLB appearance: 1980 (age 56)
From Minoso's SABR biography: In 1976 (White Sox owner Bill Veeck) hired Miñoso as a coach, then talked him into playing a game as a DH at age 50. Miñoso went hitless against the California Angels in four at-bats. One day later, he singled as a pinch-hitter. He remained with the team as a coach through 1978, and reappeared in a White Sox uniform in 1980, making two official plate appearances to join Nick Altrock as baseball’s only five-decade players.
Jim O'Rourke
Last MLB appearance: 1904 (age 54)
From O'Rourke's SABR Biography: With the New York Giants on the verge of their first pennant since 1889, manager John McGraw summoned O’Rourke, the last active member of that old championship team, to catch the title clincher. And the old warrior did not disappoint, handling Joe McGinnity over all nine innings of a 7-5 victory over Cincinnati. He even went 1-for-4 at the plate.
Jack Quinn
Last MLB appearance: 1933 (age 50)
Honorable mention goes to two players, both favorites of mine, who were productive through their age 49 season, but didn't stay in the league until age 50: Hoyt Wilhelm and Jamie Moyer. Wilhelm threw his final pitch just a couple weeks shy of his 50th birthday. Part of me wants to add these two guys to this collection. I'll have to think about it.
Stay tuned for my list of players who made a minor league appearance at age 50 or older.
