Best Over 40 Performances: From Jamie Moyer to Gordie Howe

Yesterday, Jamie Moyer became the oldest pitcher to toss a shutout. He tossed a two hit complete game shutout against the Atlanta Braves. He is 47 years and 170 days old.

Phil Niekro was the previous holder of this record at 46 years and 188 days old. With the win, Moyer picked up victory number 262 in his career. He is now 4-2 this season with a 4.38 ERA.

His good day at the ballpark got me thinking about other senior citizens who put together a good season or performance. To be included on this list you must be over 40 years of age and have done something that is out of the ordinary.

So here we go with the best over 40 performances.

George Foreman

On the night of November 5th, 1994 the 45 year old Foreman won the heavyweight title with a 10th round knockout over Michael Moorer.

On that night, he retained a title that he lost 20 years before to Muhammad Ali. He is still the oldest man to win the heavyweight title.

Satchel Paige

Satchel Paige played very well in the Negro Leagues before breaking into the Major Leagues.

When he finally got his shot in the Majors he was 42 years old, but still posted great numbers. He went 6-1 with a 2.48 ERA with the Cleveland Indians.

He also made a one inning apperance with the the Kansas City Athletics at the ripe ol' age of 59.

Warren Spahn

A little known old timer is Warren Spahn. He had a wonderful career and ended up in the Hall of Fame, but he put together a great year after the age of 40.

In 1963, at the age of 42 he went 23-7 with a 2.60 ERA for the Milwaukee Braves.

George Blanda

Blanda is an NFL ironman if there ever was one. He has played the most seasons ever (26), is the oldest man to play in a NFL game (48) years 109 days old), and is the oldest quarterback to start an NFL title game (43 years old).

He is also one of two players to play in four decades.

In 1970 at the age of 43, he had an incredible 5 game stretch for the Raiders. In that stretch he went 4-1 with 5 touchdown passes and three field goals. This was all done in relief duty.

He played until 1976 before retiring at the age of 48.

Nolan Ryan

Ryan is a freak of nature. It is that plain and simple. After the age of 40, he was 71-66 with 1,437 strikeouts.

He lead the league in strikouts four times after the age of 40. He also threw a no-hitter in 1991 at the tender age of 44. When Ryan finally retired in 1993, he had played in more seasons then anyone, with 27.

Bernard Hopkins

Since turning 40, Hopkins has scored some of the biggest wins of his career. He moved up from middleweight to win the light heavyweight title as a 3-1 underdog.

He then beat the defensive wizard Winky Wright and beat the much younger and unbeaten Kelly Pavlik.

Gordie Howe

Howe is the oldest player on this list as his season of note came when he was 51 years old.

During that season, Howe had 15 goals and amassed 41 points. He played in a record 26 seasons and in six different decades.

He has played in the most games ever at 2,421, and even suited up at the age of 70 for the Detroit Vipers of the IHL.