Below is the List of oldest Major League Baseball (MLB) players, with their last season in parentheses. Only baseball players who played at least one game when they were older than 45 are included on the list. Active are players in bold type.
Pitchers
59 - Satchel Paige (1965)
50 - Jack Quinn (1933)
49 - Hoyt Wilhelm (1972)
49 - Jamie Moyer (2012)
48 - Phil Niekro (1987)
48 - Nick Altrock (1924)
46 - Nolan Ryan (1993)
46 - Jesse Orosco (2003)
46 - Charlie Hough (1994)
46 - Tommy John (1989)
46 - Hod Lisenbee (1945)
46 - Randy Johnson (2009)
45 - Roger Clemens (2007)
45 - Gaylord Perry (1983)
45 - Fred Johnson (1939)
45 - Ted Lyons (1946)
45 - Tim Wakefield (2011)
Position players
58 - Charley O'Leary (1934)
57 - Nick Altrock (1933)
56 - Minnie Miñoso (1980)
54 - Jim O'Rourke (1904)
49 - Julio Franco (2007)
49 - Hughie Jennings (1918)
49 - Arlie Latham (1909)
48 - Gabby Street (1931)
48 - Deacon McGuire (1912)
48 - Johnny Evers (1929)
46 - Jimmy Austin (1926)
46 - Sam Thompson (1906)
46 - Dan Brouthers (1904)
45 - Cap Anson (1897)
45 - Sam Rice (1934)
45 - Pete Rose (1986)
45 - Carlton Fisk (1993)
45 - Omar Vizquel (2012)
Note: Paige, O'Leary, O'Rourke, Jennings, Street, McGuire and Evers each made one token major league appearance years (or even decades) after their careers had otherwise ended. The careers of Altrock, Minoso and Latham had also effectively ended many years before their final major league appearances, though each were brought back for token appearances several times (spanning several seasons) before their final game. Julio Franco is the oldest position player to appear regularly.
Note: Phil Niekro's start came in the first game of the 1982 NLCS. However, with the Braves leading the St. Louis Cardinals 1-0, the game was delayed on account of rain. When the rain did not clear, the game was called three outs before it could be considered official, and was restarted the following night with Braves pitcher Pascual Pérez getting the start. The Braves would lose the game 7-0.
