One of the interesting storylines coming out of MLB Spring Training is aging stars. Chipper Jones, third baseman for the Atlanta Braves, is entering his 19th and final season. Perhaps the greatest switch-hitter (a hitter who bats from both sides of the plate) of all time, Jones has a career batting mark of .304 and 454 home runs. Though he will turn 40 in April, he still bats third in the order (traditionally the position for the biggest run producer on the team) and is the undisputed leader of the Braves. He will begin the year on the disabled list, but should return in the second or third week of the season. There is no one on the Braves who was there when Chipper made his debut in 1993. The National League's Most Valuable Player in 1999, Jones last had a typical (for him) season in 2007. We'll see if the almost certain Hall of Famer can go out with a bang.
Mariano Rivera has been the closer for the New York Yankees since 1996. A closer is a relief pitcher tasked with the final innings of a game when the game hangs in the balance. Even at 42, Rivera is regarded as the best closer in baseball. The all-time saves leader, Rivera was in top form last season, with a 1.91 ERA and 44 saves. Whether Rivera returns next season has not been announced, but only his decision to retire will determine it, if his expected form holds.
Jamie Moyer is 49 years old. He debuted in 1986, the same year as pitching legend Greg Maddux (who retired following the 2008 season). Though his ERA has never been impressive, he is well-regarded around the league as dependable, able to pitch his team to victory. Because he has never thrown particularly hard, whatever signs of decline are in evidence are not betrayed by the radar gun. Moyer became the oldest pitcher in baseball ever to throw a shutout last season. He is the leader in wins among active pitchers with 267. Moyer will have the honor of pitching the second game of the season for the Colorado Rockies.
Chris Carpenter is the ace of the reigning champion St. Louis Cardinals. Last season, he pitched 273 1/3 innings, the most in baseball. Before he makes his debut after recovering from nerve damage in his pitching arm, he will turn 37. Carpenter went undefeated in postseason play, and he was the winning pitcher of the seventh and deciding game of the World Series. In fact, Carpenter only lost 2 games after June 23. If the Cardinals hope to repeat, Carpenter must be close to the form he showed in 2005, when he won the National League Cy Young Award.
Finally, Ichiro Suzuki is 38 years old. Perhaps the biggest star in the history of Japanese professional baseball, he was quite decorated when he arrived in MLB in 2001. His career batting mark of .326 is only surpassed by his .353 mark while in Japan. It is certain that his dominance in Japan will be considered, should he not reach 3000 US hits, an informal benchmark for Hall of Fame induction.
Mariano Rivera has been the closer for the New York Yankees since 1996. A closer is a relief pitcher tasked with the final innings of a game when the game hangs in the balance. Even at 42, Rivera is regarded as the best closer in baseball. The all-time saves leader, Rivera was in top form last season, with a 1.91 ERA and 44 saves. Whether Rivera returns next season has not been announced, but only his decision to retire will determine it, if his expected form holds.
Jamie Moyer is 49 years old. He debuted in 1986, the same year as pitching legend Greg Maddux (who retired following the 2008 season). Though his ERA has never been impressive, he is well-regarded around the league as dependable, able to pitch his team to victory. Because he has never thrown particularly hard, whatever signs of decline are in evidence are not betrayed by the radar gun. Moyer became the oldest pitcher in baseball ever to throw a shutout last season. He is the leader in wins among active pitchers with 267. Moyer will have the honor of pitching the second game of the season for the Colorado Rockies.
Chris Carpenter is the ace of the reigning champion St. Louis Cardinals. Last season, he pitched 273 1/3 innings, the most in baseball. Before he makes his debut after recovering from nerve damage in his pitching arm, he will turn 37. Carpenter went undefeated in postseason play, and he was the winning pitcher of the seventh and deciding game of the World Series. In fact, Carpenter only lost 2 games after June 23. If the Cardinals hope to repeat, Carpenter must be close to the form he showed in 2005, when he won the National League Cy Young Award.
Finally, Ichiro Suzuki is 38 years old. Perhaps the biggest star in the history of Japanese professional baseball, he was quite decorated when he arrived in MLB in 2001. His career batting mark of .326 is only surpassed by his .353 mark while in Japan. It is certain that his dominance in Japan will be considered, should he not reach 3000 US hits, an informal benchmark for Hall of Fame induction.
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