Who is the oldest player in MLB history?

We’ve seen many players over the years — Hoyt Wilhelm, Phil Niekro, and Nolan Ryan, to name a few — be effective in the Majors long past the age of 40. But, who is the oldest player in MLB history to suit up? The answer to that question is none other than one of the game’s most iconic figures. Here’s the answer to that question, plus a brief look at other ballplayers that came close to the individual in question.

Oldest Players in History of Major League Baseball

Per statistical records, Baseball Hall of Famer Satchel Paige is known to be the oldest player to have ever played in an MLB game. Paige suited up for the Kansas City Athletics in 1965 for one game at the age of 59.

Paige was spotless in the game, as he threw three scoreless frames for the A’s and struck out one against the Boston Red Sox. The outing came 12 years after his last full season in the Majors with the St. Louis Browns.

Paige wasn’t the only MLB player, though, to suit up for a team past the age of 50. Minnie Minoso, Nick Altrock, Jim O’Rourke, Jack Quinn, and Charley O’Leary all did courtesy of Baseball-Reference. And in O’Leary’s case, the former Tiger suited up for the Browns in 1934 at the age of 58, which was actually seven years older than previously thought.

O’Leary is credited with being the oldest player in MLB history to be credited with a hit in a game.

In more recent memory, Jamie Moyer and Julio Franco nearly joined the over-50 club. Moyer last pitched on May 27, 2012, at the age of 49, while Franco — also at the age of 49 — played his last game on September 17, 2007.

Franco is the oldest player to hit a home run in the Majors.