I think there are more than 'thousands' of fans who are happy to be younger than the oldest player (I know I am happy)...
...of course he's older than many GMs now, isn't he?

Moyer is a great Chain game guy - Moyer pitched against Carlton in 1986, who debuted in 1965. Carlton appeared in the same game as Warren Spahn in 1965, who started in 1942. In 1942, he was in the same game with Mel Ott, who started in 1926. Mel Ott faced Pete Alexander that year, who had a hell of a rookie year in 1911 (367 IP, 28 wins). 100 years from Moyer - Carlton - Spahn - Ott - Alexander.

He debuted around when I graduated from high school.

 

I am about to turn 44.

When Moyer debuted the Jays had a young pen. Tom Henke was in his first full ML season, Mark Eichhorn was a killer setup man (157 IP with an ERA sub-2), and Duane Ward was just acquired that season (still a starting pitcher then). David Wells was in the minors with no ML service time, as was Todd Stottlemyre, Pat Hentgen, Greg Myers, Pat Borders, Rob Ducey, Mark Whiten, Junior Felix, and many others. Cecil Fielder and John Cerutti were among those who had played in the majors in '85 but had lots of minor league time in '86.

The MVP/Cy Young in '86 went to Roger Clemens who had pitched just 35 games in the majors before that season. Jose Canseco won the AL Rookie of the Year. Barry Bonds came in 6th for NL Rookie, Barry Larkin 7th. Sammy Sosa & Gary Sheffield were in their first pro-season, Mark McGwire made his ML debut that season as did Rafael Palmeiro. Jeff Bagwell was still in school, as was Mike Piazza & Manny Ramirez.

Managers that year who are still kicking - Bobby Valentine, Davey Johnson and Jim Leyland
(later two lost manager of the year to Hal Lanier who would manage a total of 3 seasons in the majors). Lou Piniella was a rookie manager that season, as was Jimy Williams. Cito Gaston had yet to manage a single game. Joe Torre had managed 8 years by then and was unemployed with just 2 winning seasons to his credit. Tony LaRussa was just hired late that season to take over the Oakland A's.

Phew. Looking back at guys who are extremely old for the majors always brings back a lot of memories. Neat how Moyer, if he makes it, will have had a longer playing career than Lou Piniella, Jimy Williams, and Cito Gaston had a managing career and that all the stuff that made LaRussa & Torre famous had yet to happen when Moyer reached the majors and now both are retired. That the key members of the 'steroid crew' had very little ML experience when he broke in.

He was a reasonably effective pitcher at 47, so I don't see any reason why he shouldn't be equally effective at 49. Heck, maybe he'll pick up a bit of velocity from the surgery.

Hoyt Wilhelm was only a couple of weeks shy of his 50th birthday when he pitched his last game, for the LA Dodgers in 1972.  He even had a save that season.

Anyway, 50 is the new 30, isn't it?

He just needs to learn a knuckler and he should be set for the next decade or so.

Speaking of old lefties, the daughter of former Cardinal Joe Magrane - Shannon - wowed the judges on American Idol last night.

According to Stephen Tyler, the 15 year-old Magrane was "hot, humid and happening".

 

Just a little creepy, Mr. Tyler.

What I like about Moyer is the sheer unpredicatability of it.  Most pitchers who last well into their 40s (Carlton, Spahn, Tommy John, Hoyt Wilhelm, Phil Niekro) were at least good pitchers in their 20s.  Not Jamie.  He entered his 30s in 1993 with a 34-54 record and an ERA of 4.56 (ERA+ of 86 to use a 21st century term). 

Got me thinking about how has Moyer done over the years...
1980's: 566 IP, 32-42 4.48 ERA 88 ERA+ Cubs/Rangers
1990's: 1362 IP, 86-58 4.09 ERA 115 ERA+ TEX,STL,BAL,BOS,SEA
2000's: 1980 IP, 140-94 4.23 ERA 103 ERA+ Mariners/Phillies
2010: 112 IP, 9-9 4.84 ERA 88 ERA+ Phillies

He has yet to save a game. His K/9 lifetime is 5.4. He cracked 6 K/9 IP 3 times, once in the 80's when he was 24, once in the 90's when he was 35, and once in the 00's when he was 44. Likewise he was sub-5 K/9 4 times - once in the 80's, once in the 90's, twice in the 00's (23/33/42/43).

The ML minimum salary when he was first called up was $60k. He made $8 million his last season (2010) before this one.

Jamie Moyer is not Dorian Gray, he's Benjamin Button. He'll probably peak in his 60's.

Moyer is a few months younger than Farrell but made his debut a year earlier. Has there even been a pitcher/manager in baseball?

In other age-related news, it turns out that Fausto Carmona is actually 31, and not 28. Even more tragically, his name isn't actually Fausto Carmona, opening up all sorts of contract & visa issues.

Faust- a magician and alchemist who sells his soul to the devil in exchange for knowledge and power

Magician? Alchemist?  Pitcher?  Can you tell the difference?  There is however some subtle distinction between knowledge and power, and greenbacks. 

Even more tragically, his name isn't actually Fausto Carmona

It's not Leo Nunez, is it?

Of the starters for Colorado's very first game [1993], only Andre Galaragga is older than Moyer. That's pretty cool.

It's Andres Galarraga.  The double consonant thing is a bit tricky, but if you use  "Galarraga, Lady Gaga" as mnemonic, you'll be OK.  Double points for an extra roll on the r's. 

Johnny Otis, whose longevity in music might have some lessons for Moyer, died earlier this week.  Lesson #1- you gotta have soul to last.  Moyer should change his name to Johnny May; Satchel would be too obvious. 

"Johnny Otis, whose longevity in music might have some lessons for Moyer, died earlier this week. Lesson #1- you gotta have soul to last. Moyer should change his name to Johnny May; Satchel would be too obvious. "

And of course, Etta James dies today which perhaps strengthens your lesson. Looks like Rays have signed Pena which means they've replaced Damon and Kotchman with Scott and Pena. Plus, you add a full year of Jennings and Moore and they look like they should be better this year.

The TB situation is interesting. I don't know that Scott/Pena will be an upgrade over Damon/Kotchman's 2011. I do think they will outperform the latter in 2012, so the change makes sense in that regard.

Kotchman was a 3-win player in 2011 but would be a serious crapshoot to repeat. Pena tends to live in that neighbourhood, so Pena 2012 will probably not be an improvement on Kotchman 2011.

Damon was a 1.5-2.5 win player, depending on who you believe. Scott figures to slot in there somewhere if healthy, so Scott 2012 will probably not be an improvement on Kotchman 2011.

I certainly concur that having Jennings and Moore all year should be a boost. But the comings and goings at 1B/DH probably won't make much of a difference.