List of oldest Major League Baseball players

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Justin Verlander 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 Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander, who is currently 41 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 2024 season[a]
* Denotes player who has been inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame
† Denotes player who is not yet eligible for Hall of Fame consideration[b]
§ Eligible for Hall of Fame in 2025[1]
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
 [2]
Charley O'Leary SS/2B/3B October 15, 1875 September 30, 1934 58 years, 350 days
3 teams
 [3]
Nick Altrock P September 15, 1876 October 1, 1933 57 years, 16 days
4 teams
 [4]
Minnie Miñoso* LF/3B November 29, 1923 October 5, 1980 56 years, 311 days
5 teams
 [5]
Jim O'Rourke* OF/C/1B September 1, 1850 September 22, 1904 54 years, 21 days
7 teams
 [6]
String Bean Williams P 1873 1925 51 or 52 years
4 teams
 [7]
Jack Quinn[c] P July 1, 1883 July 7, 1933 50 years, 6 days
8 teams
 [8]
Hoyt Wilhelm* P July 26, 1922 July 10, 1972 49 years, 350 days
9 teams
 [9]
Jimmy Austin 3B/SS December 8, 1879 October 6, 1929 49 years, 302 days
2 teams
 [10]
Arlie Latham 3B March 15, 1860 September 30, 1909 49 years, 199 days
6 teams
 [11]
Jamie Moyer P November 18, 1962 May 27, 2012 49 years, 191 days
8 teams
 [12]
Hughie Jennings* SS/1B April 2, 1869 September 2, 1918 49 years, 153 days
5 teams
 [13]
Julio Franco[d] SS/2B/1B August 23, 1958 September 17, 2007 49 years, 25 days
8 teams
 [14]
Gabby Street C September 30, 1882 September 20, 1931 48 years, 355 days
5 teams
 [15]
Deacon McGuire C/1B November 18, 1863 May 18, 1912 48 years, 182 days
11 teams
 [16]
Phil Niekro* P April 1, 1939 September 27, 1987 48 years, 179 days
4 teams
 [17]
Johnny Evers* 2B July 21, 1881 October 6, 1929 48 years, 77 days
4 teams
 [18]
Kaiser Wilhelm P January 26, 1874 August 21, 1921 47 years, 207 days
5 teams
 [19]
Hod Lisenbee P September 23, 1898 September 7, 1945 46 years, 349 days
4 teams
 [20]
Nolan Ryan* P January 31, 1947 September 22, 1993 46 years, 234 days
4 teams
 [21]
Charlie Hough P January 5, 1948 July 26, 1994 46 years, 202 days
4 teams
 [22]
Sam Thompson* RF March 5, 1860 September 10, 1906 46 years, 189 days
3 teams
 [23]
Jesse Orosco P April 21, 1957 September 27, 2003 46 years, 159 days
9 teams
 [24]
Dan Brouthers* 1B May 8, 1858 October 4, 1904 46 years, 149 days
10 teams
 [25]
Grover Hartley C July 2, 1888 September 30, 1934 46 years, 90 days
5 teams
 [26]
Bobo Newsom P August 11, 1907 September 17, 1953 46 years, 37 days
9 teams
 [27]
Randy Johnson* P September 10, 1963 October 4, 2009 46 years, 24 days
6 teams
 [28]
Tommy John P May 22, 1943 May 25, 1989 46 years, 3 days
6 teams
 [29]
C. I. Taylor RF/C January 20, 1875 1921 46 years Indianapolis ABCs (1920–1921) [30]
Kid Gleason 2B/P October 26, 1866 August 27, 1912 45 years, 306 days
7 teams
 [31]
Carlton Fisk* C December 26, 1947 June 22, 1993 45 years, 178 days
2 teams
 [32]
Cap Anson* 1B/3B/C April 17, 1852 October 3, 1897 45 years, 169 days
3 teams
 [33]
Omar Vizquel SS/3B April 24, 1967 October 3, 2012 45 years, 162 days
6 teams
 [34]
Ichiro Suzuki§ RF October 22, 1973 March 21, 2019 45 years, 150 days
3 teams
 [35]
Ted Lyons* P December 28, 1900 May 19, 1946 45 years, 142 days Chicago White Sox (1923–1942, 1946) [36]
Pete Rose OF/1B/3B April 14, 1941 August 17, 1986 45 years, 125 days
3 teams
 [37]
Bartolo Colón P May 24, 1973 September 22, 2018 45 years, 121 days
11 teams
 [38]
Fred Johnson P March 10, 1894 May 10, 1939 45 years, 61 days
2 teams
 [39]
Tim Wakefield P August 2, 1966 September 25, 2011 45 years, 54 days
2 teams
 [40]
Roger Clemens P August 4, 1962 September 16, 2007 45 years, 43 days
4 teams
 [41]
Red Faber* P September 6, 1888 September 20, 1933 45 years, 14 days Chicago White Sox (1914–1933) [42]
Gaylord Perry* P September 15, 1938 September 21, 1983 45 years, 6 days
8 teams
 [43]

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.
Justin Verlander P February 20, 1983 41 years, 277 days
3 teams
 [44]
Jesse Chavez P August 21, 1983 41 years, 94 days
9 teams
 [45]
Charlie Morton P November 12, 1983 41 years, 11 days
5 teams
 [46]
Yuli Gurriel 1B/DH June 9, 1984 40 years, 167 days
3 teams
 [47]
Max Scherzer P July 27, 1984 40 years, 119 days
6 teams
 [48]
Justin Turner 1B/DH November 23, 1984 40 years, 0 days
6 teams
 [49]
David Robertson P April 9, 1985 39 years, 228 days
8 teams
 [50]
Daniel Bard P June 25, 1985 39 years, 151 days
2 teams
 [51]
Adam Ottavino P November 22, 1985 39 years, 1 day
5 teams
 [52]
Matt Carpenter DH November 26, 1985 38 years, 363 days
3 teams
 [53]
Carlos Santana 1B April 8, 1986 38 years, 229 days
7 teams
 [54]
Chris Martin P June 2, 1986 38 years, 174 days
7 teams
 [55]
Yu Darvish P August 16, 1986 38 years, 99 days
4 teams
 [56]
Andrew McCutchen DH/RF October 10, 1986 38 years, 44 days
5 teams
 [57]
Wade Miley P November 13, 1986 38 years, 10 days
8 teams
 [58]
Luis García P January 30, 1987 37 years, 298 days
6 teams
 [59]
Caleb Thielbar P January 31, 1987 37 years, 297 days Minnesota Twins (2013–2015, 2020–present) [60]
Carlos Carrasco P March 21, 1987 37 years, 247 days
2 teams
 [61]
Kirby Yates P March 25, 1987 37 years, 243 days
6 teams
 [62]
Lance Lynn P May 12, 1987 37 years, 195 days
6 teams
 [63]

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
 [64]
Bartolo Colón P May 24, 1973 September 22, 2018 45 years, 121 days
11 teams
 [65]
Rich Hill† P March 11, 1980 September 4, 2024 44 years, 177 days
12 teams
 [66]
Mariano Rivera* P November 29, 1969 September 26, 2013 43 years, 301 days New York Yankees (1995–2013) [67]
Jason Giambi 1B/DH/LF January 8, 1971 September 27, 2014 43 years, 262 days
4 teams
 [68]
Nelson Cruz† DH/RF July 1, 1980 July 3, 2023 43 years, 2 days
8 teams
 [69]
Darren Oliver P October 6, 1970 September 29, 2013 42 years, 358 days
9 teams
 [70]
R. A. Dickey P October 29, 1974 September 26, 2017 42 years, 332 days
6 teams
 [71]
LaTroy Hawkins P December 21, 1972 October 3, 2015 42 years, 286 days
11 teams
 [72]
Albert Pujols† 1B/LF/3B January 16, 1980 October 4, 2022 42 years, 261 days
3 teams
 [73]
Fernando Rodney§ P March 18, 1977 September 28, 2019 42 years, 194 days
11 teams
 [74]
Koji Uehara P April 3, 1975 September 2, 2017 42 years, 152 days
4 teams
 [75]
Raúl Ibañez LF/1B June 2, 1972 September 28, 2014 42 years, 118 days
5 teams
 [76]
Adam Wainwright† P August 30, 1981 October 1, 2023 42 years, 32 days St. Louis Cardinals (2005–2010, 2012–2023) [77]
Henry Blanco C August 29, 1971 September 23, 2013 42 years, 25 days
11 teams
 [78]
Joe Nathan P November 22, 1974 September 27, 2016 41 years, 310 days
5 teams
 [79]
Justin Verlander^ P February 20, 1983 Present 41 years, 277 days
3 teams
 [80]
José Contreras P December 6, 1971 May 27, 2013 41 years, 172 days
5 teams
 [81]
Andy Pettitte§ P June 15, 1972 September 28, 2013 41 years, 105 days
2 teams
 [82]
Jesse Chavez^ P August 21, 1983 Present 41 years, 94 days
9 teams
 [83]

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. ^ "Justin Verlander Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  45. ^ "Jesse Chavez Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  46. ^ "Charlie Morton Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  47. ^ "Yuli Gurriel Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  48. ^ "Max Scherzer Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  49. ^ "Justin Turner Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  50. ^ "David Robertson Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  51. ^ "Daniel Bard Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  52. ^ "Adam Ottavino Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  53. ^ "Matt Carpenter Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  54. ^ "Carlos Santana Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  55. ^ "Chris Martin Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  56. ^ "Yu Darvish Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  57. ^ "Andrew McCutchen Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  58. ^ "Wade Miley Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  59. ^ "Luis García Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  60. ^ "Caleb Thielbar Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  61. ^ "Carlos Carrasco Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  62. ^ "Kirby Yates Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  63. ^ "Lance Lynn Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  64. ^ "Ichiro Suzuki Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  65. ^ "Bartolo Colon Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  66. ^ "Rich Hill Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  67. ^ "Mariano Rivera Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  68. ^ "Jason Giambi Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  69. ^ "Nelson Cruz Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  70. ^ "Darren Oliver Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  71. ^ "R. A. Dickey Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  72. ^ "LaTroy Hawkins Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  73. ^ "Albert Pujols Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  74. ^ "Fernando Rodney Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  75. ^ "Koji Uehara Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  76. ^ "Raúl Ibañez Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  77. ^ "Adam Wainwright Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  78. ^ "Henry Blanco Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  79. ^ "Joe Nathan Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  80. ^ "Justin Verlander Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  81. ^ "José Contreras Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  82. ^ "Andy Pettitte Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  83. ^ "Jesse Chavez Stats". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
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