Quote:
Originally Posted by dennis_keith
Wikipedia's oldest living major leaguers list is a reflection of people living longer lives in America today.
In addition to the newest and only centegenarian on the list (Eddie Carnett turns 100 today) - there is a record total of 17 living former players who have reached age 95 (latest to reach 95 is Red Adams - pitcher of 8 games with the 1946 Chicago Cubs). Due to reach 95 soon Dave "Boo" Ferriss: 8 year major leaguer: 1945-1952.
78 living MLB players have reached age 90 (a near-record). Ozzie Van Brabrant (MLB career: 1954-1955) - is the latest to latest to reach 90 and Dick Bokelman (mlb career; 1951-1953) and 17 year major league and all-star slugger, Roy Sievers (MLB Career: 1949-1965) are due to reach 90 within the next four weeks.
A record total of 101 living major leaguers have reached age 89 with #102 Jim Greengrass (MLB career: 1952-1956) due to reach age 89 three days from now. Relief Pitcher, Bob Kelly 1951-1953 and 1958
is the last to reach 89 (10/4/16).
According to Wikipedia's official list and written comments from contributors, there is now a record total of 126 living players who have reached age 88, the most recent being Bob "Mickey" Micelotta, a shortstop on the 1954 and 1955 Philadelphia Phillies who reached the age of 88 yesterday on October 20.
The record numbers of living players for most ages from 88 on up is a specific microcosm reflecting the trend of Americans living longer lives in general.
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I hate discussions of lifespan as its all in how you arrive at it, what your sample groups are, etc. Rich people live far longer lives than laborers, white people live longer than people of color, women live longer than men, etc., etc. Officially, however, average expected lifespan has been on the decline for the last several years (I believe it peaked in 2012). And that, too, is a farce. Because you can't predict how long someone born in 2012 will live based on how long someone born in 1932 lived.
I look at it this way. My grandfather lived to 100, my father lived to 85, and the odds are pretty good I'll be dead before I reach 65. Can't speak for anyone else, but that sure looks like a decline in life span to me.