2008 Woodie Awards
Tony's Time Out: The true seasoned veterans
Tony Patrico
Issue date: 10/4/07 Section: Sports
It is said that your mind grows as you get older, but your body slowly starts to shut down. Obviously that statement has not been told to a few athletes who are defying their age limitations by playing the game well past the norm.
Take a look at current Atlanta Braves first baseman Julio Franco. While others are filling out their AARP applications, Franco is finishing up his 25th season in the majors. Twenty-five years at a regular job is odd in recent years, but in a career that requires top physical performance? That's borderline amazing.
Let's put this into perspective. When Franco was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1982, the Cardinals won the World Series over the Milwaukee Brewers, who are now in the National League. Two players tied for the lead in the league in homeruns with 39. The first Major League Baseball game to be played in Canada happened at Canada's Olympic Stadium. The American League Rookie of the Year was… Cal Ripken Jr., who retired in 2001, and recently was inducted to the MLB Hall of Fame.
Think baseball is the only professional sport with players defying their ages? Think again. The National Basketball Association has some "veterans" themselves. Dikembe Mutumbo, who is 41, currently plays for the Houston Rockets, will enter his 17th and final season in the NBA.
Basketball requires a bit more continuous and strenuous work on the body in comparison to baseball, and very few players have held a very long career. Clifford Robinson has been in the league one year longer then Mutumbo. Mutumbo is currently on an NBA roster, while Robinson is floating around free agency.
Mutumbo entered the league in 1991 after being drafted by the Denver Nuggets out of the University of Georgetown. Not only is he playing the game past an age anyone would have imagined, he is setting records as well.
In 2007, just as the season was coming to an end, Mutumbo surpassed another NBA great Kareen Abdul-Jabbar as the holder of the second most blocks in NBA history. Mutumbo is also the oldest player in NBA history to collect more than 20 rebounds in a game.
Take a look at current Atlanta Braves first baseman Julio Franco. While others are filling out their AARP applications, Franco is finishing up his 25th season in the majors. Twenty-five years at a regular job is odd in recent years, but in a career that requires top physical performance? That's borderline amazing.
Let's put this into perspective. When Franco was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1982, the Cardinals won the World Series over the Milwaukee Brewers, who are now in the National League. Two players tied for the lead in the league in homeruns with 39. The first Major League Baseball game to be played in Canada happened at Canada's Olympic Stadium. The American League Rookie of the Year was… Cal Ripken Jr., who retired in 2001, and recently was inducted to the MLB Hall of Fame.
Think baseball is the only professional sport with players defying their ages? Think again. The National Basketball Association has some "veterans" themselves. Dikembe Mutumbo, who is 41, currently plays for the Houston Rockets, will enter his 17th and final season in the NBA.
Basketball requires a bit more continuous and strenuous work on the body in comparison to baseball, and very few players have held a very long career. Clifford Robinson has been in the league one year longer then Mutumbo. Mutumbo is currently on an NBA roster, while Robinson is floating around free agency.
Mutumbo entered the league in 1991 after being drafted by the Denver Nuggets out of the University of Georgetown. Not only is he playing the game past an age anyone would have imagined, he is setting records as well.
In 2007, just as the season was coming to an end, Mutumbo surpassed another NBA great Kareen Abdul-Jabbar as the holder of the second most blocks in NBA history. Mutumbo is also the oldest player in NBA history to collect more than 20 rebounds in a game.
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Jason
Jason
posted 10/04/07 @ 5:06 PM CST
In order for Franco to be around in 2023 he'll have to be the MVP in the AL so they can wheel him to the dish in a wheelchair to DH every 3 or 4 innings. (Continued…)
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