Jason Plautz
Five Athletes that Played Through Old Age
by Jason Plautz - May 9, 2008 - 11:37 AM

Last week, I saw the great documentary Gotta Dance about the Netsationals, a team of senior citizens that danced hip-hop at New Jersey Nets games. Then I found out that Julio Franco retired, which would indicate that Julio Franco had still been playing baseball. I was shocked; I had assumed that Franco had retired long ago, what with him being older than my father.

franco.jpgIn honor of my elderly athletic discoveries last week, here’s a look at some athletes that didn’t let their age slow them down on the field.

Julio Franco

Baseball’s most senior player debuted in the majors in 1982 and made his last MLB appearance 25 years later. He holds the distinction of being the oldest person to hit a home run, on May 4, 2007 at age 48. He played for eight MLB teams and had pit stops in Japan, South Korea and Mexico, where he ultimately retired. ESPN compiled a fun list of facts putting Franco’s streak in perspective. Here are a couple of highlights:

- Pitcher Edwin Nunez of the Mariners was the youngest player in baseball (19) the year Franco came into the majors. He played a total of 13 seasons in the majors … and retired 14 years ago.
- Franco was in his sixth major league season, with his second team, when current Diamondbacks outfielder Justin Upton was born.

John Burnosky

Most people don’t even make it to 96, let alone with enough energy to ice skate. But John Burnosky does more than that- he still plays hockey, even just four years shy of his centennial. The Guinness World Record holder for “World’s Most Durable Hockey Player” once played some minor-league hockey, but never made it to the big leagues because of his scrawny size. Now he plays in 60-and-up tournaments and is easily the oldest person in the tournament. As an added benefit, among hockey players, he probably doesn’t have to worry about wearing his dentures. george blanda.jpeg

George Blanda

It wasn’t too surprising when George Blanda set the NFL record for most career points. After all, he had more chances to score them. Blanda played for an impressive 26 seasons and went until he was 48 (take that Brett Favre). The quarterback and kicker had good reason to stick around, too. He was famous for a five-game stretch in 1970 where he led last-minute comebacks. He also passed for seven touchdowns in one 1961 game.

Albert Beckles

Most men won’t take their shirt off past a certain point, but Albert Beckles had no problem with it. He continued his body building career into his sixties, even winning the Niagara Falls Pro Invitational at the ripe ol’ age of 61. The former Mr. Universe also holds the record for most competitions. After his retirement in 1992, he became a vegetarian.

Aladar Gerevich

Aladar Gerevich won his first Olympic gold medal for fencing in 1932. Then, 28 years later, he won another gold, the largest span of time between any two Olympic medals. In between, he won eight other medals and became the only athlete to win gold medals in six different Olympics. In a made-for-Hollywood moment, he showed up for the trials for the 1960 games, but was told he was too old to compete. So what did he do? He individually challenged every member of the team to an individual match…and won.

« Previous Post   -   Next Post »
Click here to get a Risk-Free issue of mental_floss magazine
Comments (13)

  1. Nice article. However it seems that Albert Beckles was born in 1938 instead of 1930 thus making him 53 when he won the Niagara…still quite impressive.

    posted by Tim Wright on 5-9-2008 at 1:00 pm

  2. Don’t forget Satchel Paige, who was an effective relief pitcher for the St. Louis Browns at age 46. He returned to the majors for a single game at the age of 58, pitching for the Kansas City Athletics. He tosses three scoreless innings and only allowed one baserunner.

    posted by Jere on 5-9-2008 at 1:06 pm

  3. Cmon, how can you not mention George Foreman? Knocking out 26 year old Heavyweight Champion Michael Moore (at the age of 45) to regain the title 20 years after first attaining it puts him at the top of this list.

    posted by Forrest on 5-9-2008 at 1:39 pm

  4. In this age of drug testing athletes, I understand that the older sportsmen frequency give urine samples … even though they didn’t intend to. May it just ‘depends’…

    posted by Ron on 5-9-2008 at 1:45 pm

  5. Gordie Howe, hockeys Iron Man played into his 70′s. Howe played professional hockey in six decades. He was signed to a one-game contract by the Detroit Vipers of the IHL and, almost 70 years old, made a return to the ice for one shift.

    posted by Mike on 5-9-2008 at 1:51 pm

  6. Johnny Kelly. Finished over 50 Boston Marathons, was still doing so into his 80s. Also won a couple and placed 2nd several times.

    posted by little gator on 5-9-2008 at 2:31 pm

  7. Jason–that should read Five Athletes “who”. Always use who for people, that for inanimate objects:)

    posted by Judy on 5-9-2008 at 3:53 pm

  8. What about Gordie Howe or even the still playing Chris Chelios. I think Howe was 50 when he stopped and Chelios is currently around 45….pretty impressive, especially for hockey. No 96 though…..

    posted by Heck on 5-9-2008 at 4:00 pm

  9. I have to agree with some above, this does a great disservice in not including Mr. Hockey, Gordie Howe. Howe played in the most NHL regular seasons (26) and for the most regular season games (1,767). Which is impressive considering most of his career was played when the NHL had only 6 teams and a much shorter regular season and playoffs. 6 time league MVP, 6 times lead the league in scoring and had the Gordie Howe Hat Trick named after him (a goal, an assist and a fight).

    He played professionally in SIX different decades from 1948-1997. He lasted so long that he played on a line with his sons when they made it to the Pros.

    posted by expat on 5-9-2008 at 10:47 pm

  10. Bobby Allison is the oldest driver to win the NASCAR (then) Winston Cup championship, at 45 years of age.

    Harry Gant is the oldest driver to win at NASCAR’s top level, at age 42. Gant’s 18th and final victory was at age 52, when he became the oldest driver to win.

    Herschel McGriff, born 1927, competed in NASCAR races at Sears Point Raceway into the 1990s.

    Red Farmer (birthdate reputed to be somewhere between 1928 and 1932) is scheduled to compete in the NEXTEL Prelude to the Dream race at Eldora Ohio, against a stellar field of drivers from all around racing, including at least 11 NASCAR Sprint Cup stars. Check it out on pay-per-view (portion of the proceeds to charity).

    posted by Mike on 5-12-2008 at 8:55 am

  11. And to add to Gordie Howes’ longevity, he played with his sons. He is the only player in the history of professional hockey to hear: “Come on Dad, pass me the puck”

    posted by Dave Davis on 9-20-2010 at 7:52 am

  12. Fred Glass is still setting weightlifting records in his 70s

    posted by Wayne on 9-20-2010 at 10:19 am

  13. How about Danny Almonte? He was winning Little League games when he was far older then any of the the other competitors

    posted by Geo on 9-20-2010 at 4:24 pm

Comment

commenting policy