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Posted By: Paul

A related project is figuring out who the senior player in the major leagues was each year. For example, from 1990-94 it was Nolan Ryan (first game in '66). From 1984-1989, it was Tommy John (first game in '63), with Pete Rose sharing the title from '84 to '86. From 1979-83, it was Jim Kaat (first game in '59), with McCovey sharing the title in 1979 and 1980. In 1978, I think it was Ron Fairly (first game in '58). In 1977, Brooks Robinson, first game in '55. From 1975-76, Hank Aaron, first game in '54. In 1974, Al Kaline, first game in '53. From 1968-73 it was Willie Mays (first game in '51), with Mickey Mantle sharing the title in '68. In 1967, it was Whitey Ford (first game '50), unless you count Joe Nuxhall, whose first appearance at age 15 was in 1944, but he didn't play again for about 8 years. If you ignore Nuxhall, in '66 it was Robin Roberts. Whether you count Nuxhall or not, from 1964-65 it was Spahn (first game in '42). From 1960-63, it was Early Wynn (first game in '39), with Ted Williams sharing the title in 1960. From 1957-59, it was Enos Slaughter, first game in '38. From 1954-56, it was Bob Feller, first game in '36. In 1952 and 1953, it was Bobo Newsome, first game in '29. In 1951, it was Feller again, since Bobo was retired. In 1949 and 1950, it was Luke Appling, with his first game in '30. In 1948, it was Bobo again. In 1947, I believe it was Red Ruffing. And on and on. If you focus on these guys, you can string together a pretty short list of players that connect the game together all the way back to Cap Anson.

As you can see, I've thought about this before. This is all from memory, so there may be some mistakes.