Some say 40 is the new 30. When Alex Rodriguez resumed playing in 2015, the age 39 portion of his season resembled his age 29 season, when A-Rod won his second A.L. MVP in 2005. Yet, when A-Rod turned 40, almost like clockwork his bat slowed, hitting only .153 during the dog days of August and .224 between September and October. While A-Rod’s slow April 2016 start caused concern in some circles, he did go on a tear from May through July of last season, despite hitting .232 in April.
It’s still early in the season, so A-Rod could still thrive in his fourth decade. He has some company when it comes to New York Yankees who have played at age 40 and beyond. With that, I take a look at some of the more successful post-40 campaigns.
Mariano Rivera:
Mo could probably still roll out of bed until he’s 50 and give the Yankees a two-inning save. In his first season at 40, “The Sandman” was an AL All-Star in 2010, posting a 1.80 ERA and 33 saves. Rivera also saved three more games across six scoreless postseason innings. The 2011 campaign was also an All-Star season for Rivera, finishing eighth in AL Cy Young voting, registering a 1.91 ERA and 44 saves. While Rivera suffered a fluke injury in 2012, he bounced back in his final season in 2013. Rivera closed out his career with an All-Star Game MVP in Queens, a record of 6-2, a 2.44 ERA and 44 saves or one more than his age. Rivera also had his number 42 retired in Monument Park.
Andy Pettitte:
In his third stint with the Yankees, Pettitte decided 40 was the perfect time to come out of retirement. From 2012-2013, Pettitte won 16 games across 42 starts. Pettitte helped pitch the Yankees to the playoffs, where he made two starts.
Derek Jeter:
During his final season, in 2014, “The Captain,” was named the starting AL shortstop in Minnesota. Battling back from injury, Jeter batted .256 with four home runs, 50-RBI and 149 hits. Jeter also played 130 games at the demanding position of shortstop. In his final plate appearance at Yankee Stadium, Jeter delivered a walk-off hit against the Baltimore Orioles.
David Wells:
In the final season of his second stint with the Yankees, “Boomer” won 15 games in 2003. Wells worked 213 innings. Wells made four postseason starts, winning two, for the pennant winning Yanks.
Raul Ibanez:
In his one season with the Yankees, at 40, Ibanez smacked 19 home runs, between outfield and DH. During the 2012 postseason, Ibanez swatted three late home runs against the Orioles and Detroit Tigers.
Ichiro Suzuki:
During his third and final season in the Bronx, Ichiro batted .284 and stole 15 bases at age 40 in 2014.
Randy Johnson:
Between his age 41 and 42 seasons in 2005 and 2006, the “Big Unit” won 34 games and struck out 383 batters.
Roger Clemens:
The 2003 campaign was supposed to be the final season for the “Rocket.” At age 40, Clemens was an AL All-Star, won 17 games and fanned 190. Clemens also won two games in the postseason. In his second tour with the Yanks in 2007, the 44-year-old Rocket won six games in his final hurrah.
Red Ruffing:
In 1945, Ruffing won seven games in eleven starts, with a 2.89 ERA at age 40. The following season, across eight starts, Ruffing won five games with a 1.77 ERA.
Tommy John:
During his second stint with the Yankees, John ended his career, pitching his age 43 through 46 seasons in Pinstripes. Across that stretch, John combined to win 29 games, from 1986 to 1989.
Phil Niekro:
Niekro and his knuckle ball spent two years in the Bronx. At age 45 and 46, Niekro won 16 games in each season and was an AL All-Star in 1984.
