1980s players still active

[Honus Wagner Rules]

There are still 20 active players who played in the 1980s. I was surprised there so many left. And there about nine future HoFers amongst the group. Who do you think will be the last one standing? My money is on Griffey or Sheffield.

1982
Julio Franco (4/23/82)

1984
Roger Clemens (5/15/84)

1986
Barry Bonds (5/30/86)
Jaime Moyer (6/16/86)
Greg Maddux (8/3/86)

1987
David Wells (6/30/87)
Tom Glavine (8/17/87)
Jose Mesa (9/10/87)

1988
Craig Biggio (6/26/88)
John Smoltz (7/23/88)
Gary Sheffield (9/3/88)
Kurt Schilling (9/7/88)
Tom Gordon (9/8/88)
Randy Johnson (9/15/88)

1989
Ken Griffey, Jr. (4/3/89)
Steve Finley (4/3/89)
Omar Vizquel (4/3/89)
Kenny Rogers (4/6/89)
Mike Stanton (8/24/89)
Kent Merker (9/22/89)

[jpenrod]

Interesting only six hitters. So what is the "average" career of a top hitter and the "average" career of a top pitcher?

[Honus Wagner Rules]

Interesting only six hitters. So what is the "average" career of a top hitter and the "average" career of a top pitcher?
I count seven hitters:

Franco
Bonds
Biggio
Sheffield
Griffey
Finley
Vizquel

[Pghfan987]

There are still 20 active players who played in the 1980s. I was surprised there so many left. And there about nine future HoFers amongst the group. Who do you think will be the last one standing? My money is on Griffey or Sheffield.

1982
Julio Franco (4/23/82)

1984
Roger Clemens (5/15/84)

1986
Barry Bonds (5/30/86)
Jaime Moyer (6/16/86)
Greg Maddux (8/3/86)

1987
David Wells (6/30/87)
Tom Glavine (8/17/87)
Jose Mesa (9/10/87)

1988
Craig Biggio (6/26/88)
John Smoltz (7/23/88)
Gary Sheffield (9/3/88)
Kurt Schilling (9/7/88)
Tom Gordon (9/8/88)
Randy Johnson (9/15/88)

1989
Ken Griffey, Jr. (4/3/89)
Steve Finley (4/3/89)
Omar Vizquel (4/3/89)
Kenny Rogers (4/6/89)
Mike Stanton (8/24/89)
Kent Merker (9/22/89)

Anyone else think that Franco will play until he is 86?

[jpenrod]

I count seven hitters:

Franco
Bonds
Biggio
Sheffield
Griffey
Finley
Vizquel

Of course you are correct HWR, thanks for the correction. Though I am not sure is Kurt schilling a hitter or a pitcher? I know about his brother Curt, Kurt I have never heard of;)

[Captain Cold Nose]

Of course you are correct HWR, thanks for the correction. Though I am not sure is Kurt schilling a hitter or a pitcher? I know about his brother Curt, Kurt I have never heard of;)
He's Mark McGuire's cousin.

[538280]

Interesting only six hitters. So what is the "average" career of a top hitter and the "average" career of a top pitcher?

I believe I remember reading once the average career length for an MLB player is 4 years. It's strange hearing that since we're used to talking about "average" players who lasted 10 or more years.

The truth is that the supposed average players, in the whole scope of things, are really in like the 99th percentile of the world's baseball players and in the 90th percentile of professional players.

[geezer]

Roger Clemens is still retired, right??

[Captain Cold Nose]

Roger Clemens is still retired, right??
He never did retire. He's waiting out his options. Because he turned down arbitration, he cannot sign with anybody until a certain future date, May 1, I believe. He's not going to make any announcements until then.

[geezer]

He never did retire. He's waiting out his options. Because he turned down arbitration, he cannot sign with anybody until a certain future date, May 1, I believe. He's not going to make any announcements until then.

I can't wait 2 more weeks, he should decide sooner.

[Captain Cold Nose]

I can't wait 2 more weeks, he should decide sooner.
That's the power of being arguably the greatest living pitcher, or even greatest of all time.

[jpenrod]

Yeah, I know the career lifespan of the average major leaguer is down quite a bit. I just find it interesting that of the players that have been in the league for close to 20 years or longer; the majority are pitchers. I am wondering if this is a normal phenomona or if we are seeing the impact of the younger "stronger" player forcing the hitters out sooner.

It seems to me that the game has ghanged slightly since the 80's. I remember small ball being a much larger part of things and then we hit the major power surge we saw through the mid 90's till now. there was a time that a second baseman was not expected to hit 20+ HR to be considered a top 2B. I am just wondering if the new brand of player has forced some of the hitters to retire earlier than they would have before. I don't know maybe my memory is all out of whack, I am sure there are plenty of people here that will tell me if it is.

[Cubsfan97]

I think Franco will play until retirement age. I'd like to see him play for a while yet. Thatd be interesting.

[Mattingly]

He never did retire. He's waiting out his options. Because he turned down arbitration, he cannot sign with anybody until a certain future date, May 1, I believe. He's not going to make any announcements until then.
I thought that when he turned down arbitration, he cannot sign only with the club that offered him arbitration--in this case, the 'Stros--until May 1st, but he's free to sign with anyone else.

Following the 2003 season, the Yanks offered Andy Pettitte arb, but he declined, signing with the 'Stros that winter and playing for them in spring and the 2004 season.

[digglahhh]

Sheffield may be the last one STANDING, but that doesn't mean that Franco will have retired.:D

[Erik Bedard]

Sheffield may be the last one STANDING, but that doesn't mean that Franco will have retired.:D

I can just picture it: Julio Franco, this 70-something year old man, going up to the plate in a wheelchair, holding his bat with his hands wrapped around his head, then stroking a single to left on a slider low and away... classic.

[DTF955]

I can just picture it: Julio Franco, this 70-something year old man, going up to the plate in a wheelchair, holding his bat with his hands wrapped around his head, then stroking a single to left on a slider low and away... classic.

LOL, that's a good one.

Speaking of Clemens, somewhere in my youth ISTR Joe Garagiola on the game of the week saying he was put on waivers but never officially retired, so someone theoretcially could pick him up, right? Or are waivers only good for so long? Or was it even him, could have been McCarver.

[Honus Wagner Rules]

Yeah, I know the career lifespan of the average major leaguer is down quite a bit. I just find it interesting that of the players that have been in the league for close to 20 years or longer; the majority are pitchers. I am wondering if this is a normal phenomona or if we are seeing the impact of the younger "stronger" player forcing the hitters out sooner.

It seems to me that the game has ghanged slightly since the 80's. I remember small ball being a much larger part of things and then we hit the major power surge we saw through the mid 90's till now. there was a time that a second baseman was not expected to hit 20+ HR to be considered a top 2B. I am just wondering if the new brand of player has forced some of the hitters to retire earlier than they would have before. I don't know maybe my memory is all out of whack, I am sure there are plenty of people here that will tell me if it is.
Today's game is not as entertaining as 1980s baseball. There was more variety, power hitters, high average hitters, speedsters, etc. Now baseball is the HR, the strikeout, the bases on balls and the 4+ hour 9 inning game. Zzzzzz....

[Honus Wagner Rules]

To put Julio Franco into perspective. He debuted about six weeks before I graduated from the 8th grade. :eek: I will be 38 years old in August.

[Gashouse6]

Franco's debut was the same year some current major leaguers were born.

[Erik Bedard]

Franco's debut was the same year some current major leaguers were born.

And before others, such as Felix Hernandez, Nick Markakis, Daniel Cabrera, Miguel Cabrera, Jeremy Hermida...

[KingNothing13]

He never did retire. He's waiting out his options. Because he turned down arbitration, he cannot sign with anybody until a certain future date, May 1, I believe. He's not going to make any announcements until then.


he can't sign with the Astros before May 1. He can sign with anyone else before then.

[geezer]

he can't sign with the Astros before May 1. He can sign with anyone else before then.

And he is eager to sign with either of the Texas' Teams, but right now he is still undecided, but at this patter, im not sure if he will pitch again.

[RuthMayBond]

To put Julio Franco into perspective. He debuted about six weeks before I graduated from the 8th grade. :eek: I will be 38 years old in August.When Julio Franco debuted, Carl Yastrzemski was still playing :eek: :lookitup

[BoofBonser26]

When Julio Franco debuted, Carl Yastrzemski was still playing :eek: :lookitup
When Julio Franco debuted, I wasn't born. :eek:

[jrh31584]

Julio Franco's major league debut was before 6 of his teammates from last year were born.

[Pine Tar]

Did BJ Surhoff retire? I think he may still be trying to get a shot with a team.
Sandy Alomar Jr. debuted in 1988.
Others:
Jose Vizcaino?
Rueben Sierra?
Terry Mulholland?
Wilson Alvarez
Jason Grimsley
Rudy Seanez

[Hooligan1]

I'm quite sure I just saw that Mulholland retired.......

[KingNothing13]

And he is eager to sign with either of the Texas' Teams, but right now he is still undecided, but at this patter, im not sure if he will pitch again.


Personally, I think it is going to be the Astros or no one. If he was going to sign somewhere else, I think he would have by now.

Although, I am hoping for Boston. :D

[Brooklyn]

When Julio Franco debuted, Carl Yastrzemski was still playing :eek: :lookitup

So was Jim Kaat, who debuted in 1959!

[JohnGelnarFan]

I'm surprised to see Jose Mesa on that list. Has he really played parts or all of 18 years in the majors?

[Mattingly]

I can just picture it: Julio Franco, this 70-something year old man, going up to the plate in a wheelchair, holding his bat with his hands wrapped around his head, then stroking a single to left on a slider low and away... classic.
Wasn't there a guy that around 2002-04 or so, that kept his "playing over several decades" thing alive with a single AB? He must've been at least 70 or so.

I can't think of the guy's name, but thought it was funny. :)

[Captain Cold Nose]

Wasn't there a guy that around 2002-04 or so, that kept his "playing over several decades" thing alive with a single AB? He must've been at least 70 or so.

I can't think of the guy's name, but thought it was funny. :)
Minnie Minoso.

[ReignInBlood]

Wasn't there a guy that around 2002-04 or so, that kept his "playing over several decades" thing alive with a single AB? He must've been at least 70 or so.

I can't think of the guy's name, but thought it was funny. :)

Minnie Minoso, did he really had an at bat? It isn't on baseball-reference.

[Captain Cold Nose]

Minnie Minoso, did he really had an at bat? It isn't on baseball-reference.
I don't think so. I think his at-bat in 1990 was with a minor league team. I thought his attempt this decade was prevented.

[Brooklyn]

I don't think so. I think his at-bat in 1990 was with a minor league team. I thought his attempt this decade was prevented.

According to this article (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060222&content_id=1319360&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb), he played in a minor league game in botht eh 1990's and 2000's

[RuthMayBond]

Minnie Minoso, did he really had an at bat? It isn't on baseball-reference.
June 30, 1993, Northern League
July 16, 2003, minor league.
It's more of a professional baseball record now. I still can't believe Ted Radcliffe at 97

[Captain Cold Nose]

June 30, 1993, Northern League
July 16, 2003, minor league.
It's more of a professional baseball record now. I still can't believe Ted Radcliffe at 97
Is Minoso still the oldest player to hit safely in an Major League game? Topps produced a card about it for their 1977 set.
What did Double Duty do and where?

[RuthMayBond]

Is Minoso still the oldest player to hit safely in an Major League game? That's what I've always heard

<What did Double Duty do and where?>

He pitched for the Northern League (them again) at the age of NINETY-SEVEN :eek: I think it was just one pitch but I understand it was counted in league stats. Vive Eddie Gaedel :clapping

[Elvis]

Honorable mention to Rickey Henderson. Drafted by the A's in 1976, debuted in 1979 and just retired (unwillingly) a couple of years ago.

"I can still play with these kids!" :laugh

[JohnGelnarFan]

I saw Double Duty at a 1969 Washington Senators Reunion in 1997 or 98'. He gave a speech and told lots of amusing stories.His mind was still very sharp in his late 90's.

[RuthMayBond]

I saw Double Duty at a 1969 Washington Senators Reunion in 1997 or 98'. He gave a speech and told lots of amusing stories.His mind was still very sharp in his late 90's.Dang, he's already way ahead of me

[1905 Giants]

When Julio Franco debuted, I wasn't born. :eek:

Neither was I

[tigers527]

I think both Julio Franco and Chris Chelios will play into there 80's productively setting records for longevity in their respective sports.

Then Greg Anderson along with the combined might of the lead singer, the drummer and the bass player from Tower of Power will create super anti-aging formulas that will not be detected by any scientific test. And Bud Selig Jr. will have no idea anything weird is going on, when players all go till their 150 yrs old.

Balco II will get indited, congress will investigate (Ted Kennedy will take back his love for Sammy Sussser Jr.) and Bud Selig Jr will clean up the game.

Of course, Ted Kennedy is still in congress that far into the future, he's preserved in 150 proof grain alcohol.