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You're Never Too Old - Page 2

© Bryan Walker

1. Historically the majority of World Series winning teams have an average age of 30 or less, with 2000 and 2001 Yankees being notable exceptions. 2. Older players tend to suffer from injuries more often. 3. The careers of players typically peak during their late twenties.

First of all, the argument for youth is somewhat valid. I don’t mean to say that it isn’t true at all. There is definitely a correlation between age and winning World Series. But too much is made of the difference between a team in its late twenties and early thirties. Over the last 30 years, only a handful of teams have won a World Series with either core position players or core pitchers averaging over 30 years of age. Only one team has won a World Series with both core starters and core pitchers: the 2001 Yankees. But it’s significant that the 2001 Yankees are the exception.

Today’s players are better conditioned than at any time in history. They have access to medical data, conditioning programs, and equipment that allows them to train in a way that will allow them to improve later in their careers. Twenty years ago, players didn’t have these things available to them. Here is a list of players who have had their best years late in their career: Mark McGwire, Steve Finley, Luis Gonzalez, Edgar Martinez, David Wells, and Randy Johnson. There are even a couple of Hall-of-Famers on this list. Wells is a freak and probably shouldn’t be on this list. But note that McGwire is an avid weight lifter who has increased his natural power from the weight training. Johnson has a body build that is traditionally conducive to injury, and he has a bad back. But he also maintains a rigorous training program to stay healthy. Finally, look at Rickey Henderson and tell me that being in shape hasn’t extended his career.

Just because someone is young, doesn’t meant that you’d want them on your team. Take into consideration who the best players currently are. The best second all-around second baseman in the game is Robbie Alomar, with apologies to Jeff Kent, Edgardo Alphonso, and Craig Biggio. He’s 32 years old, but who would you rather have at second base. Even if you want to argue that Jeff Kent is better, he’s 33! And only an Astros or Mets fan would argue that anyone else was better than these two. A similar argument could be made for Piazza at catcher and Randy Johnson at pitcher.

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