Oldest former player who could still hit a home run....

Allen · August 8, 2007 6:57AM

Ok, not really talking about game situation, but who is the oldest living former player who could still take a batting practice pitch deep? I started thinking about it because I thought it would be funny to buy the 756 ball and have a batting practice pitcher toss it to Hank and let him blast it over the fence. Aaron plays a lot of golf so his flexibility is still good, but I doubt he could take one out. What do you guys think? Musial at 84? Maybe not haha. So who is the oldest player that could take one yard?

Brian48 · August 8, 2007 7:01AM

75-year-old Luke Appling knocked one out of the ball park in an old-timer's game in Washington, D.C., back in 1982. I think Warren Spahn might have been the pitcher. Got a well deserved standing ovation if I recall.

mikeschmidt · August 8, 2007 7:03AM

Mike Schmidt definitely still could go yard...although there are likely a few older players that still could, too.

jrinck · August 8, 2007 7:13AM

I'd only really be impressed if the guy was at least 60, and REALLY impressed if he was older than 70. I have a hard time believing that someone 80+ could knock one out, though.

Schmidt is almost 60, though. Reggie Jackson has got to be close. Those are the only two that I'd blindly guess could still nail one out.

rube26105 · August 8, 2007 7:18AM

mike schmidt is a very large,strong human being, he could do it, last time last timei saw him signing autos his arms were still huge!

Griffins · August 8, 2007 7:19AM

I'd bet on Frank Howard. I saw him crush one at a softball game about 15 years ago, easily 500 feet.

Allen · August 8, 2007 7:39AM

Wow that Appling stat is very cool. Never heard that, did they play the Old Timers games on a full sized field? I wish they still did that instead of the stupid celebrity softball thing.

CDsNuts · August 8, 2007 8:09AM

Frank Robinson

ldferg · August 8, 2007 8:13AM

berk ross

lawnmowerman · August 8, 2007 8:30AM

Emmitt Smith could. He can do anything!

originalisbest · August 8, 2007 8:33AM

Frank Robinson's a good choice - how about Killebrew?

Leiascards · August 8, 2007 9:13AM

I actuall saw Frank Robinson take some batting practice swings about 6 years ago and he hit one out. Saw Mike Scosia do it in 2004 during BP.

estang · August 8, 2007 9:17AM

I think Killebrew could still go yard down the line.

Stingray · August 8, 2007 9:42AM

Boog Powell??

CDsNuts · August 8, 2007 9:52AM

I'm gonna say no on Boog. He's been aging quickly. Although he could've in the mid 90s when Boog's BBQ opened in Camden Yards.

Stingray · August 8, 2007 9:55AM

Anyone say Reggie Jackson??

jayhawke · August 8, 2007 9:58AM

<< <i>Mike Schmidt definitely still could go yard...although there are likely a few older players that still could, too. >>

I am also a big Schmidt fan, but he has back problems. I don't think he could hit one to the warning track. I think Reggie Jackson or Dave Winfield.

onlyanumber · August 8, 2007 10:00AM

I know it's not the same, but this thread makes me think of the Ty Cobb quote:

When asked why he would only hit .300 against today's pitchers (back in the 50's) his reply "You got to remember, I'm 73".

TheVon · August 8, 2007 10:07AM

I'm gonna have to say Julio Franco. He's still in great shape for an old guy. Wait, you said former players? Never mind.

gemint · August 8, 2007 10:14AM

Minnie Minoso. Didn't he play a game in an independant league sometime since '00? (meaning 2000, not 1900

)

Allen · August 8, 2007 10:17AM

I think there are some guys not far removed from the game that are older than Franco that could slam balls out with ease.

Elemenopeo · August 8, 2007 11:37AM

... with both arms tied behind his back.

JohnnyD · August 8, 2007 12:23PM

How about an old player (pitcher) to throw that pitch with speed. I hear Bob Feller still pitches in the Indians fantasy camps and strikes out players (not the fans who are paying to be there...real players)

MooseDog · August 8, 2007 12:33PM

Appling hit the ball over a 250-foot fence off Warren Spahn in 1982 at a Crackerjack Old-Timers event (benefit for retired players) in Washington DC.

I'd go with Frank Robby on this one...I saw Reggie a couple of years ago and he was starting to look his age.

Of course in 30 years or so Rickey Henderson will still be trying to get in that "one last season". I'm sure he'll be able to swing the bat.

lostdart58 · August 8, 2007 12:37PM

I saw Frank Robinson at the National..............He is not likely to be hitting a homer any time soon.......he looks better on TV then he does in person.

originalisbest · August 9, 2007 1:17AM

Winfield would probably smack one out, as he was and is a huge guy who seems to have aged well. But is he all that old?

Stingray · August 9, 2007 1:25AM

Carlton Fisk??

Clemaz · August 9, 2007 1:38AM

Cal Ripken could. Tony Gwynn could not. Too many wings,nachos, everything else at the table.

WeekendHacker · August 9, 2007 2:25AM

I'm surprised not to see Ernie Banks name listed yet.

originalisbest · August 9, 2007 2:32AM

Ernie certainly knew how to hit a homer - think he's got the same snap in his wrists? I haven't seen him as of late so dunno if he's frail or robust.

Allen · August 9, 2007 2:54AM

<< <i>Cal Ripken could. Tony Gwynn could not. Too many wings,nachos, everything else at the table. >>

I would bet my collection that Gwynn could hit one out. There are a lot of guys older than those 2 that can still hit one out. How about Joe Morgan, he is 63. He looks like he has aged well when I see him commentating.

What about Duke Snider at 80 ? I looked up this picture of him taken last year. He probably plays a lot of golf so maybe he still has the flexibiltiy. He is, afterall, the "Silver Fox".

colebear · August 9, 2007 3:22AM

killebrew, aaron, jackson, or banks

packernut · August 9, 2007 4:35AM

Hank Aaron. Prop him up and let him rip a few extra to retake the lead. Come on A-Rod.... start the tally now....

Stingray · August 9, 2007 4:42AM

Dave Parker?? I was going to say Billy Williams, but just saw a picture from 2006, don't think so!!

Carew29 · August 9, 2007 5:33AM

I still like Ty Cobbs response to this--when asked what his batting avg would be in todays era, he replied " Oh, about 280 ". The interviewer said "why only 280?". Cobbs response "Because i'm 75 years old ***damit!!!

Pittfan · August 9, 2007 5:36AM

I bet Yogi could be the oldest to hit it out of the infield.

stown · August 9, 2007 5:49AM

<< <i>Dave Parker?? I was going to say Billy Williams, but just saw a picture from 2006, don't think so!! >>

Dave Parker could hit the crud out of the ball.

He's the only guy I'm personally aware of that hit the outfield speaker at the Dome during BP. I was a kid back then yet still comprehended that he hit the snot out of it.

shagrotn77 · August 9, 2007 5:54AM

<< <i>I'd bet on Frank Howard. I saw him crush one at a softball game about 15 years ago, easily 500 feet. >>

I'd venture to say that it's just about impossible to hit a softball 500 feet, especially when it's not fast pitch softball. This is how urban legends grow, Anthony

I'm going to put my money on Dave Kingman.

Allen · August 9, 2007 6:07AM

There were a few softball guys on some show and they were in a MLB stadium and they were drilling the ball out of there. It was crazy. Griffey Jr. was there watching and he was just in awe of how far they were hitting them. My friend has a titanium softball bat and I can hit softballs pretty far over the fence with it. I have hit line drives out that were only about 8 feet off the ground with that bat. He refuses to let me have the bat though haha.

Oldest former player who could still hit a home run....

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