Ted Williams, 1939-1960
Jim Kaat, 1959-1983 (Senators in '59-60, Cardinals in '80-'83)
Julio Franco, 1982-2007 (broke in with Phillies in '82)
Don't know for a fact that Kaat faced either Williams or Franco, but I don't know who else whose careers overlapped.

I'd guess Jim Kaat, but not sure who the first player would be without looking it up (if this is even the right answer). Assuming Franco is the 2007 retiree.

Yep. Ted Williams -Jim Kaat - Julio Franco. I read this in an article on Franco who is managing and STILL playing occasionally in Japan. As David pointed out, Kaat came up with the Senators in 1959 and so faced Ted either then or in 1960, and was with the Cardinals in 1982 when Franco debuted as well as 1983.

Don't know how I missed Ted- Kaat instantly popped in my head since I remember looking at his cards in the early 80s as a kid and seeing that small print going back to 1959 and being amazed he'd been around that long.

Joe Nuxhall-Pete Rose-Julio Franco gets you 1944-2007. All teammates.

Tom C

Giving that one an asterisk because Nuxhall pitched less than one inning in 1944 and didn't pitch again until 1952.

Why not restrict answers to players whose names rhyme, such as Mack, Hack and Jack.

Friendly bump. :D:D:D:D

Great thread, Peter..