Jim Thome, Brett Favre, and Sports' Ageless Wonders

They say sports is a young man's game. If it's football, you're washed up by the time you hit your 30's (unless you're a kicker). In baseball, maybe you can make it to 35 before the contract offers start drying up. Basketball? Only a handful of NBA players make it past 30 without having to retire, endure a long stint on the bench, or leave to play overseas.

Modern science and training have pushed these thresholds to all-time highs. All the science in the world, though, can't make up for the fact that young players tend to be faster, bigger, and stronger.

However, there are always some athletes who defy the odds and continue to play well into their later years. For these athletes the daily grind of games, practices, and cross-country trips just doesn't seem to have an affect.

Here are 10 seemingly ageless wonders who continued to perform well past their prime. Share your thoughts below.

Jamie Moyer

Moyer should be the poster child for pitchers in their 40's.

At 47, Moyer is the oldest pitcher in baseball. But you wouldn't know it by watching him pitch.

He may not have the same velocity, but the lefty can still deal. He has thrown 111.2 innings this year for the Philadelphia Phillies, sporting a 9-9 record and a 4.84 ERA. 

Over 23 seasons, Moyer is one of the most accomplished pitchers in baseball history. His lifetime record stands at 267-204 and he has struck out 2,405 batters (leading all active pitchers).

He's only made one All-Star team (2003), but his consistency and durability have cemented his reputation as one of the greats.

Moyer will miss the remainder of the 2010 season with a sprain in his ulnar collateral ligament, but he has not ruled out returning for another season, or five, or ten.

Vinny Testaverde

Testaverde was never really great (although he did win the Heisman Trophy while at the University of Miami). But his longevity at a position that usually sends its players into early retirement is not only admirable, it's astounding.

Testaverde was the first overall pick in 1987 and immediately became the starting quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He enjoyed modest success and two Pro Bowl selections over the years, his best season coming in 1998 while with the New York Jets (101.6 QB rating). Twenty one seasons and five teams later, Testaverde was still doing his thing. 

In 2007 while with the Carolina Panthers, Testaverde became the second oldest starting quarterback in NFL history at 44 years and 19 days old. He retired later that year.

Testaverde holds the NFL records for most consecutive seasons having thrown a touchdown pass (21) and for throwing touchdown passes to 70 different receivers.

Jesse Orosco

Orosco made his MLB debut in 1979 with the New York Mets. Guess when he made his final appearance? In 2003 with the Minnesota Twins, at the age of 46. 

Orosco was one of the better pitchers of his time in the 1980's. He was named to consecutive All-Star teams in 1983 and 1984, and was even good enough to finish third in Cy Young voting in 1983. 

Originally used as a closer, Orosco became a lefty specialist later in his career.  

Orosco will never make it to the Hall of Fame. His lifetime stats include an 87-80 record and 144 saves, neither of which rank him anywhere near baseball's elite. But the relief pitcher will always be remembered for one record—most career pitching appearances (1,252). 

Gordie Howe

There's a reason he's known as Mr. Hockey.

Howe, one of the NHL's all-time greats, played 26 seasons spanning four decades. He was a 23-time NHL All-Star, a four-time Stanley Cup Champion, a six-time Hart Trophy winner as MVP, and a six-time Art Ross Memorial Trophy winner as the league's leading scorer.

Accomplishments aside, Howe was a unique physical specimen the likes of which the hockey world had never seen. At 6'1" and 205 lbs Howe had the size and athleticism (and the elbows) to bully his opponents and gain positioning.

He was also ambidextrous, meaning he could shoot from both the right and left side.

Howe made his NHL debut in 1946 at the age of 18 for the Detroit Red Wings. The right wing dominated, bringing four Stanley Cups to Detroit over the next decade and regularly leading the team in scoring.

Howe retired in 1980 at the age of 52, having played in the most NHL games of any player ever. Apparently, that wasn't good enough for Mr. Hockey.

In 1997 Howe signed a one-game contract with the Detroit Vipers of the International Hockey League and played one shift—at the age of 70. 

Julio Franco

Nobody really knows how old Franco is (his "birth certificate" puts him at 51), but the one thing we do know is that Franco was the oldest regular position player in baseball history.

He has played everywhere. His MLB resume reads like an atlas, with stops at nine different cities. He even had a couple of stints in Japan.

The versatile second basemen/shortstop/first basemen began his career in 1982 for the Philadelphia Phillies. He enjoyed his best years with the Texas Rangers several years later, earning three All-Star selections and five Silver Slugger awards.

He also won the batting title in 1991.

Franco floated around for much of the next two decades, always finding a team willing to sign him. He was last seen with the Atlanta Braves as a utility infielder and pinch hitter at the age of 49. He officially retired in 2008.

Franco played 26 professional seasons and compiled over 4,200 hits in his career (2,586 in the majors). 

George Blanda

Blanda began his NFL career in 1949 as a placekicker and quarterback for the Chicago Bears. But an injury in 1954 relegated him to the sideline and limited his duties to just placekicking, leading him to retire in 1958.

He overcame disbelievers though and came back in 1960 with the Houston Oilers of the American Football League. He was an instant success in his return to quarterback. Blanda led the Oilers to consecutive league titles and was a 4-time AFL All-Star selection and 2-time All-Pro selection. He was also named league MVP in 1963.

Blanda enjoyed a very successful NFL career than spanned 26 seasons, the most in history. His name is littered all over the football record books.

• Most passing TD's in a game: 7
• Most PAT's made (943) and attempted (959)
• First player ever to score 2,000 points (3,418 for his career—an unofficial record)

Blanda also has the honor of being the oldest football player to ever play in a game. In 1976 he played his final season with the Oakland Raiders at the age of 48 years and 109 days. 

Dikembe Mutumbo

When you're 7' 2" and 260 pounds, staying healthy enough to compete at the professional level is quite the challenge. But for Mutumbo, playing basketball was natural.

He was selected as the fourth overall pick in the 1991 draft by the Denver Nuggets, and immediately became one of the NBA's premier defensive players. He was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year four times and he ranks second in career blocks, behind Hakeem Olajuwon. 

For his career he averaged 2.8 blocks and 10.3 rebounds per game and was consistently a force inside. Although never a great scorer, Mutumbo's presence at center was dominating.

Mutumbo last played in the NBA in 2009 for the Houston Rockets. An injury to his knee in the postseason ended his season and Mutumbo decided to retire after 18 seasons. At 44 years old, he's wagged his finger for the last time.

Jim Thome

Thome has been playing professional baseball since 1991 when he broke through with the Cleveland Indians. His 20 seasons aren't necessarily unheard of in the annals of baseball history but it's the level of production he has maintained over those 20 seasons that makes Thome special.

With 581 career home runs (and counting), Thome is one of baseball's most prolific sluggers ever and currently sits 10th on the all-time home run list.

If there's any doubt about his greatness, consider this list.

Only four players in MLB history have a lower AB/HR ratio than Thome (13.68): Mark McGwire (10.61), Babe Ruth (11.76), Ryan Howard (12.16), and Barry Bonds (12.90).

The players behind Thome? Just a few Hall-of-Famers like Ralph Kiner, Harmon Killibrew, Ted Williams, Mickey Mantle, Jimmie Foxx, and Mike Schmidt.

Thome is still only 39 years old and has shown no signs of stopping. He may not be athletic enough to play first base anymore, but as a designated hitter he should be able to play well into his 40's.

Chris Chelios

Chelios retired just over a week ago after an incredible NHL career that spanned 26 seasons. At 48 years old, he was the oldest active player and the second oldest of all time.

Chelios began his career with the Montreal Canadiens in 1984. Over the years the defenseman became one of hockey's best players. He helped lead his team to the playoffs an unprecedented 24 times and won three Stanley Cups, most recently with the Detroit Red Wings.

He also represented the United States four times in Olympic play and was the captain of that team in 2006 and 1998. 

The 6' 0", 191 pound burly defenseman leads all American-born hockey players in games played with 1,651. He also tallied 185 goals and a record 2891 penalty minutes during his tremendous career.

Brett Favre

No list of ageless wonders would be complete without Favre.

At 40 years old Favre is defying all logic by continuing to play one of the most punishing positions on the field—quarterback.

After 19 seasons as the signal caller for the Green Bay Packers, New York Jets, and most recently the Minnesota Vikings, Favre has taken more than his share of hits.

Yet, he keeps coming back for more punishment.

He may even be getting better. His last season with the Vikings was one of his best (4,202 yards, 33 touchdowns 7 interceptions), and that's coming from a player who is a three-time MVP and 11-time Pro Bowl selection.

If he does indeed return for another season, there's little doubt that he will again be one of the NFL's top quarterbacks.

What can you say? The guy loves football.