Saturday, February 5, 2011

Ohh, Now I Get It

If you're wondering what the significance of the Spaceman Lee and the Brockton Rox is, check it out. 



One might think that Bill would be the oldest to compete in a pro game, but no. Minnie Minoso is the only player to bat professionally in each of 7 decades, with his most recent plate appearance coming with the St Paul Saints in 2003. At 77, he drew a walk. Jim Eriotas struck out to lead off a 2006 Sioux Falls Canaries game. Despite it being his first pro at-bat, the 83 year old claimed aftewards that if he got 4 MLB at-bats he could produce a hit. Negro League legend Buck O'Neil drew intentional walks to lead off both halves of the 1st inning in the 2006 Northern League All-Star game (don't ask). O'Neil was 94 and would pass away less than 4 months later. Another Negro Leaguer, Ted "Double Duty" Radcliffe died in 2005 at the ripe, old age of 103. 103! What? Yet, DD was a spring chicken of 96 when he tossed a single pitch for the Schaumberg Flyers in 1999 to set a standard for elder statesmen that has yet to be equaled.