The Colorado Rockies announced on Friday that Jamie Moyer at the ripe age of 49 years young will make the club’s starting rotation to begin the season. Moyer will reportedly pitch second in the rotation, behind opening-day starter Jeremy Guthrie. Moyer is coming off Tommy John surgery that kept out for the 2011 season.
“I didn’t feel like anything was owed to me, I feel like I’ve had to earn everything I’ve attained in my career, but again that’s with the help of my teammates,” Moyer told the Denver Post. “So coming here and trying to stay in character was very important, and trying to prove to myself what I could do and get over some of the little hurdles I’ve gotten over in the last year was a key part.”
The lefty with his 80 mph fastball has a chance to become the oldest pitcher to ever win a game, a record in which he surprisingly doesn’t already have (Jack Quinn was 49 when he won for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1932). He hopes his achievement can inspire other old people to adopt a more healthy lifestyle.
“If I can inspire people to work out, to have a better attitude and not give up, that’s great,” Moyer said. “It’s all about taking advantage of opportunities. And this is a great opportunity.”
Moyer turns 50 in November. Feel free to make your own bad, grandpa jokes.
Photo credit: Andrew B. Fielding-US PRESSWIRE
