List of the oldest living Major League Baseball players
This article contains a list of the oldest living Major League Baseball player since the start of professional league play in 1871.
Overview
Bill Lennon was the oldest player in baseball on his team's Opening Day of the National Association, the first major league on professional baseball, and Harry Wright became the oldest player when his team played its first game the following day. Wright remained the oldest player until Nate Berkenstock played in the last game of the season, his only appearance in a professional game. Berkenstock remained the oldest to have played until he died, which has been the pattern since then. A list of the same players appears in a slightly different format on the Baseball-reference website.
Players
| = member of the Baseball Hall of Fame |
| Name | Born | Died | Age | Team(s) | Start and end dates as oldest ballplayer | Duration as oldest player |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bill Lennon | January 3, 1845
Brooklyn, New York |
August 19, 1910
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
65 years, 228 days | Fort Wayne Kekiongas (1871)
Washington Nationals (1872) Baltimore Marylands (1873) |
May 4, 1871 – May 5, 1871 | 1 day |
| Harry Wright | January 10, 1835
Sheffield, England |
October 3, 1895
Atlantic City, New Jersey |
60 years, 266 days | Boston Red Stockings (1871–1877) | May 5, 1871 – October 30, 1871 | 178 days |
| Nate Berkenstock | September 17, 1832
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
February 23, 1900
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
67 years, 159 days | Philadelphia Athletics (1871) | October 30, 1871 – February 23, 1900 | 28 years, 116 days |
| Dickey Pearce | February 29, 1836
Brooklyn, New York |
September 18, 1908
Wareham, Massachusetts |
72 years, 202 days | New York Mutuals (1871–1872)
Brooklyn Atlantics (1873–1874) St. Louis Brown Stockings (1875–1877) |
February 23, 1900 – September 18, 1908 | 8 years, 208 days |
| Al Barker | January 18, 1839
Lost Creek Township, Indiana |
September 15, 1912
Rockford, Illinois |
73 years, 241 days | Rockford Forest Citys (1871) | September 18, 1908 – September 15, 1912 | 3 years, 363 days |
| Al Reach | May 25, 1840
London, England |
January 14, 1928
Atlantic City, New Jersey |
87 years, 234 days | Philadelphia Athletics (1871–1875) | September 15, 1912 – January 14, 1928 | 15 years, 121 days |
| Harry Berthrong | January 1, 1844
Mumford, New York |
April 24, 1928
Chelsea, Massachusetts |
84 years, 114 days | Washington Olympics (1871) | January 14, 1928 – April 24, 1928 | 101 days |
| Phonney Martin | August 4, 1845
New York, New York |
May 24, 1933
Hollis, Queens, New York |
87 years, 293 days | Troy Haymakers (1872)
Brooklyn Eckfords (1872) New York Mutuals (1873) |
April 24, 1928 – May 24, 1933 | 5 years, 30 days |
| Harry Schafer | August 14, 1846
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
February 28, 1935
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
88 years, 198 days | Boston Red Stockings/Red Caps (1871–1878) | May 24, 1933 – February 28, 1935 | 1 year, 280 days |
| George Wright | January 28, 1847
New York, New York |
August 21, 1937
Boston, Massachusetts |
90 years, 205 days | Boston Red Stockings/Red Caps (1871–1878)
Providence Grays (1879) Boston Red Stockings/Red Caps (1880–1881) Providence Grays (1882) |
February 28, 1935 – August 21, 1937 | 2 years, 174 days |
| John McKelvey | August 27, 1847
New York, New York |
May 31, 1944
New York, New York |
96 years, 278 days | New Haven Elm Citys (1875) | August 21, 1937 – May 31, 1944 | 6 years, 284 days |
| Charles Witherow | April 1852 (approx.)
Washington, D.C. |
July 3, 1948
Washington, D.C. |
96 years and 2 or 3 months | Washington Nationals (1875) | May 31, 1944 – July 3, 1948 | 4 years, 33 days |
| Henry Jones | May 19, 1857
New York |
May 31, 1955
Manistee, Michigan |
98 years, 12 days | Detroit Wolverines (1884) | July 3, 1948 – May 31, 1955 | 6 years, 332 days |
| John Leighton | October 4, 1861
Peabody, Massachusetts |
October 31, 1956
Lynn, Massachusetts |
95 years, 27 days | Syracuse Stars (1890) | May 31, 1955 – October 31, 1956 | 1 year, 153 days |
| Dummy Hoy | May 23, 1862
Houcktown, Ohio |
December 15, 1961
Cincinnati, Ohio |
99 years, 206 days | Washington Nationals (1888–1889)
Buffalo Bisons (1890) St. Louis Browns (1891) Washington Senators (1892–1893) Cincinnati Reds (1894–1897) Louisville Colonels (1898–1899) Chicago White Sox (1901) Cincinnati Reds (1902) |
October 31, 1956 – December 15, 1961 | 5 years, 45 days |
| Buster Burrell | December 22, 1866
Weymouth, Massachusetts |
May 8, 1962
Weymouth, Massachusetts |
95 years, 137 days | New York Giants (1891)
Brooklyn Grooms/Bridegrooms (1895–1897) |
December 15, 1961 – May 8, 1962 | 144 days |
| William Kinsler | November 9, 1867
New York, New York |
August 10, 1963
Miami Beach, Florida |
95 years, 274 days | New York Giants (1893) | May 8, 1962 – August 10, 1963 | 1 year, 94 days |
| John Grimes | April 17, 1869
Woodstock, Maryland |
January 17, 1964
San Francisco, California |
94 years, 275 days | St. Louis Browns (1897) | August 10, 1963 – January 17, 1964 | 160 days |
| John Hollison | May 3, 1870
Chicago, Illinois |
August 19, 1969
Chicago, Illinois |
99 years, 108 days | Chicago Cubs (1892) | January 17, 1964 – August 19, 1969 | 5 years, 214 days |
| Ralph Miller | March 15, 1873
Cincinnati, Ohio |
May 7, 1973
Cincinnati, Ohio |
100 years, 53 days | Brooklyn Bridegrooms (1898)
Baltimore Orioles (1899) |
August 19, 1969 – May 7, 1973 | 3 years, 261 days |
| Charlie Emig | April 5, 1875
Cincinnati, Ohio |
October 2, 1975
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma |
100 years, 180 days | Louisville Colonels (1896) | May 7, 1973 – October 2, 1975 | 2 years, 148 days |
| Paddy Livingston | January 14, 1880
Cleveland, Ohio |
September 19, 1977
Cleveland, Ohio |
97 years, 248 days | Cleveland Blues (1901)
Cincinnati Reds (1906) Philadelphia Athletics (1909–1911) Cleveland Naps (1912) St. Louis Cardinals (1917) |
October 2, 1975 – September 19, 1977 | 1 year, 352 days |
| Sam Edmonston | August 30, 1883
Washington, D.C. |
April 12, 1979
Corpus Christi, Texas |
95 years, 225 days | Washington Senators (1907) | September 19, 1977 – April 12, 1979 | 1 year, 205 days |
| Red Morgan | October 6, 1883
Neola, Iowa |
March 25, 1981
New York, New York |
97 years, 170 days | Boston Americans (1906) | April 12, 1979 – March 25, 1981 | 1 year, 347 days |
| Jack Snyder | October 6, 1886
Lincoln, Pennsylvania |
December 13, 1981
Brownsville, Pennsylvania |
95 years, 68 days | Brooklyn Robins (1917) | March 25, 1981 – December 13, 1981 | 263 days |
| Carl Manda | November 16, 1886
Little River, Kansas |
March 9, 1983
Artesia, New Mexico |
96 years, 113 days | Chicago White Sox (1914) | December 13, 1981 – March 9, 1983 | 1 year, 86 days |
| John Daley | May 25, 1887
Du Bois, Pennsylvania |
August 31, 1988
Mansfield, Ohio |
101 years, 98 days | St. Louis Browns (1912) | March 9, 1983 – August 31, 1988 | 5 years, 175 days |
| Bill Otis | December 24, 1889
Scituate, Massachusetts |
December 15, 1990
Duluth, Minnesota |
100 years, 356 days | New York Highlanders (1912) | August 31, 1988 – December 15, 1990 | 2 years, 106 days |
| Red Hoff | May 8, 1891
Ossining, New York |
September 17, 1998
Daytona Beach, Florida |
107 years, 132 days | New York Highlanders/Yankees (1911–1913)
St. Louis Browns (1915) |
December 15, 1990 – September 17, 1998 | 7 years, 276 days |
| Ike Kahdot | October 22, 1899
Georgetown, Oklahoma |
March 31, 1999
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma |
99 years, 160 days | Cleveland Indians (1922) | September 17, 1998 – March 31, 1999 | 195 days |
| Karl Swanson | December 17, 1900
North Henderson, Illinois |
April 3, 2002
Rock Island, Illinois |
101 years, 107 days | Chicago White Sox (1928–1929) | March 31, 1999 – April 3, 2002 | 3 years, 3 days |
| Ralph Erickson | June 25, 1902
Dubois, Idaho |
June 27, 2002
Chandler, Arizona |
100 years, 2 days | Pittsburgh Pirates (1929–1930) | April 3, 2002 – June 27, 2002 | 85 days |
| Ray Hayworth | January 29, 1904
High Point, North Carolina |
September 25, 2002
Salisbury, North Carolina |
98 years, 239 days | Detroit Tigers (1926, 1929–1938)
Brooklyn Dodgers (1938–1939) New York Giants (1939) St. Louis Browns (1942) Brooklyn Dodgers (1944–1945) |
June 27, 2002 – September 25, 2002 | 90 days |
| Paul Hopkins | September 25, 1904
Chester, Connecticut |
January 2, 2004
Middletown, Connecticut |
99 years, 99 days | Washington Senators (1927, 1929)
St. Louis Browns (1929) |
September 25, 2002 – January 2, 2004 | 1 year, 99 days |
| Ray Cunningham | January 17, 1905
Mesquite, Texas |
July 30, 2005
Pearland, Texas |
100 years, 194 days | St. Louis Cardinals (1931–1932) | January 2, 2004 – July 30, 2005 | 1 year, 209 days |
| Howdy Groskloss | April 10, 1906
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
July 15, 2006
Vero Beach, Florida |
100 years, 96 days | Pittsburgh Pirates (1930–1932) | July 30, 2005 – July 15, 2006 | 350 days |
| Rollie Stiles | November 17, 1906
Ratcliff, Arkansas |
July 22, 2007
St. Louis, Missouri |
100 years, 247 days | St. Louis Browns (1930–1933) | July 15, 2006 – July 22, 2007 | 1 year, 7 days |
| Billy Werber | June 20, 1908
Berwyn Heights, Maryland |
January 22, 2009
Charlotte, North Carolina |
100 years, 216 days | New York Yankees (1930, 1933)
Boston Red Sox (1933–1936) Philadelphia Athletics (1937–1938) Cincinnati Reds (1939–1941) New York Giants (1942) |
July 22, 2007 – January 22, 2009 | 1 year, 184 days |
| Tony Malinosky | October 7, 1909
Collinsville, Illinois |
February 8, 2011
Oxnard, California |
101 years, 124 days | Brooklyn Dodgers (1937) | January 22, 2009 – February 8, 2011 | 2 years, 17 days |
| Connie Marrero | April 25, 1911
Sagua La Grande, Cuba |
April 23, 2014
Havana, Cuba |
102 years, 363 days | Washington Senators (1950–1954) | February 8, 2011 – April 23, 2014 | 3 years, 46 days |
| Mike Sandlock | October 17, 1915
Old Greenwich, Connecticut |
April 4, 2016
Cos Cob, Connecticut |
100 years, 170 days | Boston Braves (1942, 1944)
Brooklyn Dodgers (1945–1946) Pittsburgh Pirates (1953) |
April 23, 2014 – April 4, 2016 | 1 year, 347 days |
| Eddie Carnett | October 21, 1916
Springfield, Missouri |
November 4, 2016
Ringling, Oklahoma |
100 years, 14 days | Boston Braves (1941)
Chicago White Sox (1944) Cleveland Indians (1945) |
April 4, 2016 – November 4, 2016 | 214 days |
| Bobby Doerr | April 7, 1918
Los Angeles, California |
November 13, 2017
Junction City, Oregon |
99 years, 220 days | Boston Red Sox (1937–1944, 1946–1951) | November 4, 2016 – November 13, 2017 | 1 year, 9 days |
| Chuck Stevens | July 10, 1918
Van Houten, New Mexico |
May 28, 2018
Long Beach, California |
99 years, 322 days | St. Louis Browns (1941, 1946, 1948) | November 13, 2017 – May 28, 2018 | 196 days |
| Fred Caligiuri | October 22, 1918
West Hickory, Pennsylvania |
November 30, 2018
Charlotte, North Carolina |
100 years, 39 days | Philadelphia Athletics (1941–1942) | May 28, 2018 – November 30, 2018 | 186 days |
| Tom Jordan | September 5, 1919
Lawton, Oklahoma |
August 26, 2019
Roswell, New Mexico |
99 years, 355 days | Chicago White Sox (1944, 1946)
Cleveland Indians (1946) St. Louis Browns (1948) |
November 30, 2018 – August 26, 2019 | 269 days |
| Val Heim | November 4, 1920
Plymouth, Wisconsin |
November 21, 2019
Superior, Nebraska |
99 years, 17 days | Chicago White Sox (1942) | August 26, 2019 – November 21, 2019 | 87 days |
| Eddie Robinson | December 15, 1920
Paris, Texas |
October 4, 2021
Bastrop, Texas |
100 years, 293 days | Cleveland Indians (1942, 1945–1948)
Washington Senators (1949–1950) Chicago White Sox (1950–1952) Philadelphia Athletics (1953–1956) New York Yankees (1954–1956) Kansas City Athletics (1956) Detroit Tigers (1957) Cleveland Indians (1957) Baltimore Orioles (1957) |
November 21, 2019 – October 4, 2021 | 1 year, 317 days |
| George Elder | March 10, 1921
Lebanon, Kentucky |
Living | 103 years, 56 days | St. Louis Browns (1949) | October 4, 2021 - current | 2 years, 214 days |
On deck
The next oldest living former major league player is Eddie Basinski, who was born November 4, 1922.
See also
Notes
^ "Charlton's Baseball Chronology - 1871". baseballlibrary.com. Baseball Library. Archived from the original on February 6, 2007. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ a b "Oldest Living MLB Player". baseball-reference.com. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 27, 2019. ^ "Bill Lennon". baseball-reference.com. Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ "Harry Wright". baseball-reference.com. Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ Devine, Christopher. "Harry Wright biography at the Society for American Baseball Research". sabr.org. Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ "Nate Berkenstock". baseball-reference.com. Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ "Dickey Pearce". baseball-reference.com. Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ McKenna, Brian. "Dickey Pearce biography at the Society for American Baseball Research". sabr.org. Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ "Al Barker". baseball-reference.com. Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ Morris, Peter. "Al Barker biography at the Society for American Baseball Research". sabr.org. Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ "Al Reach". baseball-reference.com. Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ "Harry Berthrong". baseball-reference.com. Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ "Phonney Martin". baseball-reference.com. Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ "Harry Schafer". baseball-reference.com. Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ Nemec, David. "Henry C. Schafer biography at the Society for American Baseball Research". sabr.org. Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ "George Wright". baseball-reference.com. Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ "John McKelvey". baseball-reference.com. Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ "Charles Witherow". baseball-reference.com. Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ "Henry Jones". baseball-reference.com. Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ Morris, Peter. "Henry Jones biography at the Society for American Baseball Research". sabr.org. Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ "John Leighton". baseball-reference.com. Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ "Dummy Hoy". baseball-reference.com. Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ Berger, Ralph. "Dummy Hoy biography at the Society for American Baseball Research". sabr.org. Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ "Buster Burrell". baseball-reference.com. Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ "William Kinsler". baseball-reference.com. Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ "John Grimesck". baseball-reference.com. Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ "John Hollison". baseball-reference.com. Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ "Ralph Miller". baseball-reference.com. Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ "Charlie Emig". baseball-reference.com. Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ "Paddy Livingston". baseball-reference.com. Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ "Sam Edmonston". baseball-reference.com. Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ "Red Morgan". baseball-reference.com. Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ "Jack Snyder". baseball-reference.com. Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ "Carl Manda". baseball-reference.com. Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ "John Daley". baseball-reference.com. Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ "Bill Otis". baseball-reference.com. Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ Costello, Rory. "Bill Otis biography at the Society for American Baseball Research". sabr.org. Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ "Red Hoff". baseball-reference.com. Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ "Sidelines: Et Cetera – From Contest to Final Test". New York Times. May 27, 1991. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ Goldstein, Richard (September 24, 1998). "Chet Hoff, 107, Oldest Former Major Leaguer". New York Times. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ "Ike Kahdot". baseball-reference.com. Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ "Karl Swanson". baseball-reference.com. Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ "Ralph Erickson". baseball-reference.com. Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ "Ray Hayworth". baseball-reference.com. Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ Ailsworth, Kent. "Ray Hayworth biography at the Society for American Baseball Research". sabr.org. Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ "Ray Cunningham". baseball-reference.com. Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ Zanardi, Pete. "Paul Hopkins biography at the Society for American Baseball Research". sabr.org. Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ Goldstein, Richard (2004-01-06). "Paul Hopkins, Pitcher, 99, Oldest Living Major Leaguer". The New York Times. Retrieved 2019-02-04. ^ "Ray Cunningham". baseball-reference.com. Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ "Howdy Groskloss". baseball-reference.com. Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ Chass, Murray (April 9, 2006). "Oldest Ex-Player Nears 100". New York Times. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ "Howard H. "Howdy" Groskloss". Obituaries and Death Notices. TC Palm. July 18, 2006. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ "Rollie Stiles". baseball-reference.com. Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ Clifford, Matthew. "Rollie Stiles biography at the Society for American Baseball Research". sabr.org. Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ "Bill Werber". baseball-reference.com. Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ Rogers III, C. Paul. "Billy Werber biography at the Society for American Baseball Research". sabr.org. Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ Goldstein, Richard (January 24, 2009). "Bill Werber, Infielder Who Played With Ruth, Is Dead at 100". New York Times. p. A14. Retrieved September 5, 2018. ^ "Tony Malinosky". baseball-reference.com. Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ "Connie Marrero". baseball-reference.com. Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ Goldstein, Richard (April 24, 2014). "Connie Marrero, 102, Dies; Pitcher Starred in Cuba and the Majors". New York Times. p. A29. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ "Mike Sandlock". baseball-reference.com. Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ Weber, Bruce (April 6, 2016). "Mike Sandlock Dies at 100; Was Oldest Living Big Leaguer". New York Times. p. B17. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ "Eddie Carnett". baseball-reference.com. Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ Adler, David (November 4, 2016). "Oldest Ex-MLB Player Carnett Dies at 100". MLB.com. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ "Bobby Doerr". baseball-reference.com. Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ Nowlin, Bill. "Bobby Doerr biography at the Society for American Baseball Research". sabr.org. Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ "Chuck Stevens". baseball-reference.com. Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ Armour, Mark. "Chuck Stevens biography at the Society for American Baseball Research". sabr.org. Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved July 28, 2019. ^ "Fred Caligiuri". baseball-reference.com. Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved 22 October 2018. ^ "Fred J. Caligiuri". The Derrick and The News Herald (Oil City, Pa.). December 3, 2018. Retrieved 4 December 2018. ^ "Tom Jordan". baseball-reference.com. Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved 22 October 2018. ^ Diunte, Nick (August 26, 2019). "Tom Jordan, Oldest Living Ex-MLB Player, Dies At 99". Forbes. Retrieved 27 August 2019. ^ "Val Heim". baseball-reference.com. Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved 27 August 2019. ^ "Val R. Heim – Obituary". wmsfh.com. Williams Funeral Homes. Retrieved 24 November 2019. ^ "Eddie Robinson". baseball-reference.com. Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved 24 November 2019.