Getting Old Part Two: Baseball's Most Experienced No.5 - No.1

Here is the finale to the top ten most experienced players in the Major Leagues. I break down every player's storied careers along with their chances of making the hall of fame.  Here is a link to part one of the list, numbers 10 through 6.

#5-Gary Sheffield 2438 games, 21 seasons  -Detroit Tigers

A player who's career has just been recently shadowed by the steroid scandal of baseball, it's proper to at least give him the respect he deserves. Sheff has racked up a total of 489 home runs throughout his career, averaging 33 a year. He is a 9-time all-star while playing for the Padres, Marlins, Dodgers, Braves, and Yankees. Injuries have hampered his career late with the Tigers. He will likely hang it up when he reaches the milestone, 500 home runs.  I'd give him two seasons more, max.

Will he make the Hall of Fame? Maybe

  

#4-Randy Johnson 587 games, 21 seasons  -Arizona Diamondbacks

Former Mariner, Randy Johnson is nearing the end of his storied and dominating career. The Big Unit has brought in five Cy Young awards along with nine all-star appearances. His flaming fastballs along with his signature slider has baffled hitters for over two decades. He ranks 2nd all-time with 4730 strikeouts. 

Recently with the Diamondbacks, Johnson has had some injuries but otherwise it's amazing how this 44 year old is still pitching quite effective with a 4.24 era and a 9-8 win/loss record. I predict that one last injury will end the left-hander's career, I think this injury will come in his next major league season.

Will he make the Hall of Fame? Shoe-in

#3-Tom Glavine 681 games, 22 seasons  -Atlanta Braves

Although his velocity is at an all-time low, Glavine's control and command is at an all-time high sustaining a career that started in 1987. Glavine has already reached one of the most revered milestones of all-time, 300 wins, with 305 wins total. He has played for the Atlanta Braves for 17 seasons with a breif stint from '03-'07 with the Mets.


For a pitcher where his main weapon is his command, performance-wise, age won't hurt Glavine that much. However, Glavine has had a couple injuries late in his carrer. I believe he has three more seasons which means he would retire at the age of 45.

Will he make the Hall of Fame? Yes

#2-Jamie Moyer 627 games, 22 seasons  -Philadelphia Philles

Moyer does not have the numbers or awards to warrant a Hall of Fame career. However, what Jamie Moyer is doing right now is downright unbelievable. Moyer is the oldest player in the major leagues at the young age of 45. No, he's not in the bullpen, he's not a bench player, he is a solid contributor to the Phillies' rotation. With a 3.78 era in 2008, it is the lowest earned run average he has had in five years.


Like Glavine, the command and control of Moyer has helped him sustain his long career. So rare in baseball history, if ever, does a player get better as he gets older. Moyer is one special pitcher and I would die to see him in the world series with the Phillies this year. Slowly but surely, Moyer's career is coming to an end, this year or next year will mark the end of his career.

Will he make the Hall of Fame? No

#1-Greg Maddux 735 games, 23 seasons  -San Diego Padres

Notice a pattern? The three most experienced players in the major leagues are three old pitchers whose pitching ablities have been defined by their control and command. For the past eight years, Maddux has flown under the radar of the baseball world, as other young hurlers and phenoms have dominated the scene. During this time, Maddux has kept on putting up solid seasons with the Braves, Cubs, and Padres.


Maddux's inning count has been slowly declining and he could choose to retire at the end of this season or the next. For a guy with 352 career wins and a hall of fame worthy career, he won't have that hard of time hanging the cleats up.

Will he make the Hall of Fame? Shoe-in