The Rockies’ Jamie Moyer, at an age of 49 years and 150 days, on Tuesday became the oldest pitcher to win a Major League Baseball game. The previous oldest: the Brooklyn Dodgers’ Jack Quinn at 49 years and 70 days on Sept. 13, 1932. Moyer’s win for the ages sent us to the record books, wondering: Who are the oldest players to appear in MLB, NBA, NFL and NHL games?
MLB
The oldest player in an MLB game was Satchel Paige, believed to be at least 59 (his age was always something of a mystery) when he pitched three scoreless innings for the Kansas City Athletics on Sept. 25, 1965. Paige, a Negro Leagues legend and an MLB rookie at age 42, was signed by the A’s in ’65 for that one game, 12 years after his last full big-league season.
NBA
Nat Hickey is credited as the oldest player to appear in an NBA game; he was the 46-year-old coach of the Providence Steam Rollers when he inserted himself into one game in 1948. He scored his only two points on free throws. The NBA’s oldest since then: Former Hawk Kevin Willis was 44 when he played his final game with Dallas in 2007.
NFL
The oldest to appear in an NFL game was George Blanda, a Hall of Fame quarterback-kicker, who was 48 when he played for the Oakland Raiders in the 1975 AFC title game. He made a field goal and an extra point in that game. The oldest player to score an NFL touchdown? Doug Flutie was 42 years and 71 days old when he ran for a touchdown in the final game of San Diego’s 2004 regular season.
NHL
The oldest player to appear in an NHL game, Gordie Howe, turned 52 during his 32nd and final season in pro hockey, 1979-80. He played in all 80 games for the Hartford Whalers that season, scoring 15 goals with 26 assists and making an NHL All-Star team for the 23rd time.
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