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40 just a number around the majors
In some corners of the Houston Astros clubhouse, it might be considered impolite to ask a player his age.
Then again, veterans such as Craig Biggio probably take pride in their ability to survive the daily grind next to people nearly half their age.
The Astros have five players who were born in the 1960s.
Biggio, a 41-year-old second baseman, is the elder statesman, followed chronologically by starting pitcher Woody Williams (40), reliever Rick White (38), outfielder Orlando Palmeiro (38) and catcher Brad Ausmus (38).
Biggio and Williams are among 22 major leaguers in their 40s; Biggio is one of eight position players in that demographic.
The Fortysomethings, regardless of position, generally possess remarkable genes and a tremendous love of the game, though the six-, seven- and eight-figure salaries also serve as nice motivation to stick around.
"All of them have something going for them," said 43-year-old left-hander Randy Johnson, who still is flinging fastballs in the mid-90-mph range for the Arizona Diamondbacks. "They still have a desire to play, and their body's allowed them to play. It's a natural thing that as you start getting older, your body will not allow you to do some of the things you did at one time. It's to their credit that they've been working out all this time, and they still have the ability to play, even if it's not on an everyday basis."
The new king of part-time work is New York Yankees pitcher Roger Clemens, who will become the 23rd major leaguer in his 40s when he makes 2007 debut.
Clemens, who hopes to start Saturday, toyed with retirement before joining the Astros nearly halfway through the 2006 season.
Clemens, who will turn 45 on Aug. 4, could pitch against the Colorado Rockies when the Yankees play a three-game series June 19-21 at Coors Field. That would set up a potential matchup against Rockies outfielder Steve Finley, 42.
"Anybody doing it at our age, we're still competing at a high level," Finley said. "I think a lot of that's due to the workout programs that are available. It's easier to maintain a healthier body and diet."
In the age of Bowflex, MET-Rx, personal trainers and personal nutritionists, athletes are better- equipped to play into their 40s and beyond.
Take a break, though, and retirement beckons.
"Nowadays, it's more of a 365- day-(a-year) job," said Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin, a former catcher whose 10-year career ended at age 32. "You take a little time off after the season's over, but it's not like these guys come to spring training now to get themselves in shape.
"It gets tougher and tougher to get in shape the older you get. There's a lot written about the prospects and (young) guys coming up, so you know there's somebody always on your tail in this game."
Because savvy and know-how often are as important as speed and strength, baseball allows its athletes to grow old gracefully in comparison with the other major sports leagues.
No one has to battle for position in the low post, throw pancake blocks against rushing defenders or check a speedy forward into the glass.
A combined 13 players older than 40 laced up their skates, put on their shoulder pads or took to the hardwood in the NHL, NFL and NBA in those leagues' previous seasons.
That figure shows baseball, a game without time restrictions, offers the best opportunity to play without age restrictions.
They don't call it the national pastime for nothing.
(Contact Aaron J. Lopez of the Rocky Mountain News at www.rockymountainnews.com.)
Copyright 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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