Comments on: Five Athletes that Played Through Old Age

By: Mike

Mike — Mon, 12 May 2008 13:55:16 +0000

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).

By: expat

expat — Sat, 10 May 2008 03:47:35 +0000

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.

By: Heck

Heck — Fri, 09 May 2008 21:00:50 +0000

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…..

By: Judy

Judy — Fri, 09 May 2008 20:53:32 +0000

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

By: little gator

little gator — Fri, 09 May 2008 19:31:06 +0000

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

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 09 May 2008 18:51:48 +0000

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.

By: Ron

Ron — Fri, 09 May 2008 18:45:06 +0000

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’…

By: Forrest

Forrest — Fri, 09 May 2008 18:39:02 +0000

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.

By: Jere

Jere — Fri, 09 May 2008 18:06:49 +0000

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.

By: Tim Wright

Tim Wright — Fri, 09 May 2008 18:00:24 +0000

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.