Tim Hudson last vestige of MLB’s 20th century in World Series

When the 2014 World Series begins tomorrow night, it will be the closest mankind has come in more than a century to a modern World Series in which none of the players involved had played Major League Baseball in the 20th century – the first time since 1903.

Tim Hudson of the San Francisco Giants is the only player involved in the 2014 World Series who started his career in the 20th Century. Christian Petersen / AFP
Powered by automated translation

For all the reminders of vitality, athleticism and the flower of youth that sport provides us, invariably it also drives home another reality – that time marches on, no matter who you are.

When the 2014 World Series begins Tuesday night in the United States, it will be the closest mankind has come in more than a century to a modern World Series in which none of the players involved had played Major League Baseball in the 20th century – the first time since 1903.

As it is, San Francisco Giants pitcher Tim Hudson – who came up to the majors on June 8, 1999 – will spare older fans that particular “closer to the grave” moment. The Kansas City Royals had two old-timers on their books, but Bruce Chen, who came up in 1998, was released a month ago while Raul Ibanez, a member of the 1996 Seattle Mariners, has not been on the active roster since the wild-card round.

In fact, only 19 such players are still in MLB – Carlos Beltran, Adrian Beltre, AJ Burnett, Buddy Carlyle, Bartolo Colon, Jason Giambi, LaTroy Hawkins, Hudson, Torii Hunter, Ibanez, John McDonald, Jose Molina, Joe Nathan, David Ortiz, AJ Pierzynski, Aramis Ramirez, Alex Rodriguez, Randy Wolf and Jamey Wright. There were 67 such players active at the end of the 2012 season.

Feeling old yet? It is remarkable to think the 20th-century baseball player is an endangered species, a throwback to the days of streets lit by gas lamps and every city having its own newspaper. Rarely has the adage of baseball being a young man’s game felt so visceral.

Follow us on twitter at @SprtNationalUAE