by Kenneth Boser II

Created on: August 10, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

When we inspect the teams in Major League Baseball who have a crop of young players and then some players who are in their 40s, and one approaching 50, is it really about a competition?

Yes it is. The crop of young talent is in the "bigs" because some of the talent that was retired, but there needs not only to be instruction from the manager, but from older players to instruct younger players how to be.

Take a gander at the list of players over forty years of age, and their dominance, most of which are pitchers. Randy Johnson, Jamie Moyer, Tim Wakefield, Curt Schilling (before he got hurt this season), and some who have played well into their forties: Nolan Ryan, Rickey Henderson, Julio Franco, Andres Gallaraga, Barry Bonds, Kenny Rogers, John Smoltz, Greg Maddux, Jesse Orosco(who retired at 47), and Mariano Rivera.

There's only 25 slots on a major league roster, and for most of these names to still appear on Major League rosters is a testament to both their stamina, their determination, and their ability to play the game of baseball.

It's interesting to note that all but one (Kenny Rogers) played some or significant time in the NATIONAL League.

Why do all these players last so darned long? Well, there are four reasons.

First, their conditioning level is among the best in baseball. When you look at pitchers with sore arms, shoulders, or some other part that's used in pitching, it isn't one of these guys usually. It's the young arms who wind up getting hurt by either overthrowing, spurt throwing (like in "save" situations), and young players that overthink in the game. Literally two players that could be added to this list (when they're old enough) are throwback pitchers C C Sabathia of the Brewers, and Roy "Doc" Halladay of the Toronto Blue Jays. These two throw until either the game is over or the skipper lifts them from the game.

Second, the National League uses all portions of the game, and that means that pitchers must hit. Much is made of "American League" dominance in the All-Star Game (showcase), but the American League doesn't really play by the rules as they are. Using a "Designated Hitter", or DH, means that the pitcher can go out and just throw, and while this might sound like a good idea, it takes away from the purpose of the game that everyone who is out in the field playing, must face the pitching too. It's why the best pitchers in recent years have been good hitters, (Mike Hampton, among others, and of late youngster Manny Parra). The DH rule (the worst

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