Bartolo Colon Wouldn't Come Close to Being Oldest MLB Player Ever

The MLB might need to gear up for the return of Big Sexy, as soon-to-be 47-year-old Bartolo Colon is angling for one last ride in the MLB, with the New York Mets serving as the former Cy Young Award winner's preferred destination.

It would be impressive to see Colon pitch at 47, but we've seen older players do the same. Modern examples of players playing past that age include former Texas Rangers infielder Julio Franco and former Seattle Mariners lefty Jamie Moyer, both of whom played until they were 49 years old.

While six players played over the age of 50, like Chicago White Sox legend Minnie Minoso, most players who played a game at that age did so in only one token appearance, usually meant to sell tickets. The oldest position player every to play was 58-year-old Charley O'Leary. The former St. Louis Browns player retired in 1913 to pursue a career in management, but came out of retirement in 1934 for one plate appearance. Oddly enough, he roped a single and scored.

The oldest player in MLB history was Hall of Famer Satchel Paige, who allowed just one hit in three shutout innings for the Kansas City Athletics at the age of 59.

Pitching at 47 would give Colon access to a very small club in MLB history of players who pitched that far into their careers, but he wouldn't be the oldest guy in baseball history to suit up.