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Post by mikecubs on Jan 5, 2020 17:35:51 GMT -6
Vince Carter becomes first NBA player to appear in four decadesIn August, Vince Carter made history when he agreed to a one-year contract to return to the Atlanta Hawks to play in his 22nd season, surpassing the members of the prodigious 21-season club (Dirk Nowitzki, Kevin Garnett, Kevin Willis and Robert Parish) as the longest-tenured NBA player. But that wasn't the only major milestone on the table. According to Elias Sports Bureau research, when the 42-year-old Carter stepped on the court Saturday night against the Indiana Pacers, he became the first NBA player to appear in a game in four different decades. The phrase "like a fine wine" comes to mind. For context, 36 players who have played at least one minute in the NBA this season were born after Carter made his NBA debut, including Dallas Mavericks phenom Luka Doncic. It's also worth noting that the year Carter debuted (1999), the San Antonio Spurs and second-year player Tim Duncan won their first of five NBA titles, defeating the 8-seed New York Knicks in the Finals. We're not going to say Vinsanity is like the Jennifer Lopez of the Association, but just know we're thinking it. Carter is one of only five remaining active players in the four major North American sports who debuted during the 1990s. The others? Adam Vinatieri (NFL), Patrick Marleau (NHL), Joe Thornton (NHL) and Zdeno Chara (NHL). Yep, the decade is officially five legends short of being reduced to an "I Love The '90s" VH1 special.www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/28416883/vince-carter-becomes-first-nba-player-appear-four-decades
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Post by mikecubs on Jan 5, 2020 17:42:52 GMT -6
Frank Reich has no regrets about Adam Vinatieri in 2019Whether it was dealing with inconsistent production or a knee injury, Indianapolis Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri endured what is likely going to be his worst season in the NFL. Vinatieri set a career high in missed kicks (14 combined field goals and PATs) and was only able to play 12 games in 2019, his 24th season. The trend started early in the season, but the Colts felt it was right to stick by the future Hall of Famer. Now that the season has ended, head coach Frank Reich still believes the Colts made the right move when it came to keeping Vinatieri on the field as long as he was healthy. “I wiCrap would’ve worked out better numbers-wise. But when I look back on it – I think I am being pretty honest with myself – given all the factors, given his history, given what we were seeing out at practice and given the fact that he started out a little bit slow and got into a little bit of a groove for three or four games, he had earned it,” Reich said Monday. “I think he had earned it and I think he had earned the right to play that thing out until the end with the injury. So no, I don’t have any regrets on it.” The Colts were far from the only team with problems at kicker in 2019. But Vinatieri’s decline — whether due to injury or otherwise — came about extremely quickly and proved to be a major detriment to the team. Vinatieri’s struggles weren’t the only reason the Colts wound up missing the playoffs, but even Reich admitted it was understood that the 47-year-old’s lack of consistent production hurt the team. “It goes without saying that any missed kick, missed throw, missed block or missed tackle hurts the team. So yes, that is understood,” said Reich. Vinatieri underwent surgery to repair a knee injury that forced him to the injured reserve list. The Colts signed Chase McLaughlin to a one-year extension on Monday, so there is a chance the veteran’s time in Indy is over. It would be in the best interest of the team to move on.coltswire.usatoday.com/2020/01/02/indianapolis-colts-adam-vinatieri-no-regrets-2019/
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Post by mikecubs on Feb 16, 2020 22:44:53 GMT -6
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Post by mikecubs on May 25, 2020 0:48:06 GMT -6
Bartolo Colon, 46 47, yearns for one more season in the majorsEven though Bartolo Colon hasn't thrown a pitch in the majors since September 2018, the 47 46-year-old is not thinking about retirement.Colon hopes to pitch one more big league season, and if given the choice, it would be with the New York Mets. "I thought that last year maybe I would have the opportunity," Colon said on a video call with ESPN. "I know that if it didn't happen last year, this year would be less likely. I'm getting older and the game is all about the young pitchers coming up. When you get older, teams no longer need your services." Colon, who has pitched 21 seasons and won 247 games, said his time with the Mets from 2014 to '16 held some of his fondest memories. He highlighted the clubhouse environment and the Mets' young pitching staff, particularly Noah Syndergaard, who anointed him "Big Sexy" -- which became the title of his recently released autobiography. "That Mets team was really something special," he said. "I've played with 10 teams, but with the Mets, the way all those players treated me, how that entire franchise treated me, from the front office to the kitchen staff, it was amazing. And Mets fans are the best. In the beginning, when they laughed at me every time my helmet fell off, at first I felt uncomfortable. But when I saw how much the fans enjoyed it, I asked for a bigger batting helmet so that it would fall more because it was so much fun for them!" He added: "If it was up to me, I would retire with the Mets. I would like my career to end in New York." In his book, "Big Sexy: In His Own Words," Colon also addressed his 2012 suspension for performance-enhancing drugs and the embarrassment of having to admit it to his family. "The most difficult thing for me was that Sunday when I got the call that I tested positive. But it was even harder to tell my dad what happened. I went on to appeal the suspension and spent the next month and a half with tightness in my chest," Colon explained. "The day my suspension was about to be announced, I called my dad. As I told him that I had tested positive, I started crying." Colon called his 2012 suspension the "most difficult" moment of his career and thanked the Yankees for giving him the opportunity to return to baseball the next year. Colon, who turns 47 next week, went on to play another six seasons, eventually surpassing Nicaraguan Dennis Martinez (245) as the winningest Latino pitcher of all time. "Signing with the Yankees was something special because they were the ones that brought me back, thanks to Tony Pena. They were the ones who gave me a chance," he said. "When manager Joe Girardi called me into his office and said, 'We have a role for you, but it would be as reliever,' I told Tony to tell him that I would accept whatever role they had for me, and Girardi said to go home and think about it overnight. And I said I did not have to think about it at all; all I wanted was to be in the major leagues, even as a bat boy." For Colon, that feeling remains. "If I had the opportunity, I would play in any league; go anywhere," he said. "If any major league team wants an old man, I'm available!" www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/29190477/bartolo-colon-46-yearns-one-more-season-majors
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Post by mikecubs on May 25, 2020 0:49:23 GMT -6
^^^He turned 47 yesterday. It's unlikely he makes it back since he was out of the league last year but MLB is expanding it's rosters to 30 from 26 and will have a 20 man taxi squad as backup if baseball returns July 1 for an 82 game season.
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Post by mikecubs on Jun 27, 2020 3:53:07 GMT -6
Ex Raptor/the "father" of Canadian basketball Vince Carter announced his retirement a few days ago. www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29364093/vince-carter-officially-done-22-years-nbaThe Atlanta Hawks were one of the 8 teams left out of the NBA's restart plan due to a poor record. He could have been waived and be allowed to sign with a contender. Carter's last game was on the night everything shut down. Atlanta fans realized what was happening and started chanting we want Vince with 19.5 seconds left. Atlanta put him back in and he made a 3 pointer. Will have more on him since he's probably the most important Raptor ever(not the best).
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Post by mikecubs on May 27, 2021 9:36:25 GMT -6
Kicker Adam Vinatieri, NFL's all-time leading scorer, retiring after 24 seasonsKicker Adam Vinatieri, the NFL's all-time scoring leader, announced Wednesday on "The Pat McAfee Show" that he is retiring after 24 seasons. "By Friday, if paperwork goes in, you heard it here first," Vinatieri told McAfee, his friend and former teammate with the Indianapolis Colts. Vinatieri, 48, a three-time Pro Bowl selection and a first-team All-Pro pick three times, scored 2,673 points and made a record 599 field goals for the New England Patriots and Indianapolis, where he played his final 14 seasons. He made 29 game-winning kicks in his career, with three of them coming with the Patriots from 1996 to 2005. He made a game winner in blizzard-like conditions against Oakland in the 2001 AFC playoffs and made game-winning field goals in Super Bowls XXXVI and XXXVIII. No kicker has more Super Bowl rings than Vinatieri's four -- three with the Patriots and one with the Colts. "Adam Vinatieri is the greatest kicker of all-time who made the greatest kick of all-time in the 2001 divisional playoffs," Pats head coach Bill Belichick said in a statement. "His consistency, mental toughness and performance under pressure was legendary. I am honored to have coached Adam, going all the way back to his rookie year in 1996 and through some of the most special moments in Patriots and league history. Adam is in the rarest of echelon of athletes whose career accomplishments may never be matched." Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady, who played with Vinatieri from 2000-05, took to Instagram to salute Vinatieri, writing, "When you look up clutch in the dictionary it should have your picture. An incredible teammate with an incredible work ethic. Honored to have played with the (GOAT)." Vinatieri was part of 242 regular-season wins, and he broke career records for field goal attempts (715) while becoming the third-oldest player to appear in an NFL game. He scored points in 47 different stadiums, too. Vinatieri played in six AFC Championship Games, five Super Bowls and a record 397 games including the playoffs. He also was selected to the NFL's 100th anniversary team. His 21 100-point seasons shattered the previous mark of 16. He made a league-record 10 game-winning kicks in overtime. He holds the league mark for consecutive field goals (44), and nobody has been better in the postseason, in which he was 56 of 69 on field goal attempts and has 238 points, all records. Vinatieri also played in 365 regular-season games, second behind Morten Andersen (382), and is the only player in league history to top the 1,000-point mark with two different franchises. Vinatieri also managed to chase down Herschel Walker with a textbook, touchdown-saving tackle in 1996. Former Colts teammate Reggie Wayne was among those to pay tribute to Vinatieri on social media, tweeting, "it was a pleasure to sit back and watch #greatness for many years." Vinatieri didn't play last season after a disappointing 2019 season. He was placed on injured reserve in December 2019 after a season-long knee injury that started in training camp. The Colts stuck with Vinatieri even though he made a career-low 68% of his field goal attempts that season. He missed a total of 14 kicks: eight field goals and six extra points, and two of his misses cost the team victories against the Los Angeles Chargers and Pittsburgh Steelers. He also had three kicks blocked in 2019, including one that was returned 63 yards for a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans in Week 13. Vinatieri told ESPN shortly after going on injured reserve in 2019 that he wouldn't have waited so long to have left knee surgery if he had to do it all over again. www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/31515894/adam-vinatieri-nfl-all-leading-scorer-retiring-24-nfl-seasons
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Post by mikecubs on May 27, 2021 9:38:59 GMT -6
so, who're the last ones standing from the decade that practically invented nostalgia? NHL Zdeno Chara, Washington Capitals Joe Thornton, Toronto Maple Leafs Patrick Marleau, San Jose Sharks Incredibly, three members of the NHL from the '90s are still playing at a high level in the league. Thornton's Maple Leafs are even still alive and kicking in the playoffs, while Chara's Capitals were eliminated Sunday and Marleau's Sharks didn't make the playoffs. Leave it to hockey to have players toughing it out well beyond what anyone might expect. www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/24326028/adam-vinatieri-was-one-last-players-standing-90s
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Post by mikecubs on Feb 7, 2022 8:14:26 GMT -6
Updated list, (age)
NHL
Zdeno Chara(44), New York Islanders
Joe Thornton(42), Florida Panthers
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Post by mikecubs on Feb 7, 2022 8:21:08 GMT -6
oldest active players in the 4 sports NFLTom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Quarterback, 45 years old Andrew Whitworth, Los Angeles Rams, Tackle, 40 years old (12/12/81)Jason Peters, Chicago Bears, Tackle, 40 years old (1/22/82) Dustin Colquitt, Cleveland Browns, Punter, 39 years old (5/6/82) Andy Lee, Arizona Cardinals, Punter, 39 years old (8/11/82) Sam Koch, Punter, Baltimore Ravens, 39 years old (8/13/82) Ryan Fitzpatrick, Washington Football Team, Quarterback, 39 years old (11/24/82)Robbie Gould, San Francisco 49ers, Kicker, 39 years old (12/6/82) Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers, Quarterback, 38 years old (12/2/83) Marcedes Lewis, Green Bay Packers, Tight End, 37 years old (5/19/84) Clark Harris, Cincinnati Bengals, Tight End, 37 years old (7/10/84) MLBAlbert Pujols, Free agent (finished 2021 with the Los Angeles Dodgers), first baseman, 42 years old (1/16/80) Rich Hill, Boston Red Sox, Pitcher, 41 years old (3/11/80) Nelson Cruz, Washington Nationals (finished 2021 with the Tampa Bay Rays), outfielder, 41 years old (7/1/1982) Oliver Perez, Free agent (finished 2021 with the Cleveland Indians), relief pitcher, 40 years old (8/15/81)Adam Wainwright, St. Louis Cardinals, relief pitcher, 40 years old (8/30/1981) Yadier Molina, St. Louis Cardinals, catcher, 39 years old (7/13/22) J.A. Happ, Free agent (finished 2021 with the St. Louis Cardinals), relief pitcher, 39 years old (10/19/82)Darren O’Day, Free agent (finished 2021 with the New York Yankees), relief pitcher, 39 years old (10/22/82) Robinson Cano, New York Mets, 39 years old (10/22/82)NBAUdonis Haslem, Miami Heat, Forward/Center, 41 years old (6/9/1980) Andre Iguodala, Golden State Warriors, Guard/Forward, 38 years old (1/28/84) Carmelo Anthony, Los Angeles Lakers, Forward, 37 years old (5/29/84) LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Forward, 37 years old (12/30/84) Paul Millsap, Brooklyn Nets, Forward, 36 years old, (2/10/85) P.J. Tucker, Miami Heat, Forward/Center, 36 years old (5/5/85) Chris Paul, Phoenix Suns, Guard, 36 years old (5/6/85) Taj Gibson, New York Knicks, Forward, 36 years old (6/24/85) Trevor Ariza, Los Angeles Lakers, Forward, 36 years old (6/30/85)LaMarcus Aldridge, Brooklyn Nets, Forward/Center, 36 years old (7/19/85) NHLZdeno Chara, New York Islanders, Defenseman, 45 years old (3/18/77)Joe Thornton, Florida Panthers, Center, 42 years old (7/2/79) Craig Anderson, Buffalo Sabres, Goalie, 40 years old (5/21/80) Mike Smith, Edmonton Oiliers, Goalie, 40 years old (3/22/82) Andy Greene, New York Islanders, Defenseman, 39 years old (10/30/82) Jason Spezza, Toronto Maple Leafs, Center, 38 years old (6/13/83)Duncan Keith, Edmonton Oilers, Defenseman, 38 years old (7/16/83)Mark Giordano, Seattle Kraken, Defenseman, 38 years old (10/3/83) Joe Pavelski, Dallas Stars, Center, 37 years old (7/11/84) Zach Parise, New York Islanders, Left wing, 37 years old (7/28/84) www.providencejournal.com/story/sports/nfl/patriots/2022/01/29/oldest-players-nfl-football-mlb-baseball-nba-basketball-nhl-hockey/9271113002/
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Post by mikecubs on Mar 28, 2022 7:35:40 GMT -6
Andrew Whitworth has retired from the Rams at age 40 years old and Tom Brady returned who will be 45 next season.
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Post by mikecubs on Jun 4, 2022 7:43:52 GMT -6
Time to update the list
In the NFL Sam Koch and Ryan Fitzpatrick retired. The Ravens drafted a punter so that was it for Koch.
In MLB JA Haap retired, Oliver Perez got pummeled and then released and went to the Mexican League, Robinson Cano stunk and was cut by the Mets and then the Padres this week. Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina announced this is their last year and Adam Wainwright hinted it will be it for him too.
In the NBA Trevor Ariza got cut before the season ended and no one picked him up. Andre Iguadola has missed the whole playoffs with injury and I think he will quit this summer
In the NHL Jason Spezza retired and Zdeno Chara and Joe Thornton are still deciding what to do
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Post by mikecubs on Jul 14, 2022 13:30:24 GMT -6
Duncan Keith has retired from the Oilers
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Post by mikecubs on Sept 21, 2022 7:05:36 GMT -6
Zdeno Chara, 45, announces NHL retirement, signing one-day deal with Boston BruinsZdeno Chara, the hulking defenseman who captained the Boston Bruins to their sixth Stanley Cup, announced Tuesday he is retiring from the NHL. The 45-year-old finishes his career with 209 goals and 680 points in 1,680 games over 24 seasons with the New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators, Bruins and Washington Capitals before returning to the Isles for the 2021-22 season. Chara scored twice and had 14 points while averaging nearly 19 minutes of ice time over 44 games in what ultimately became his final NHL campaign. Chara, who at 6-foot-9 was also the tallest player in NHL history, made his formal announcement with an Instagram post. He also said in the post he signed a one-day contract so he could retire as a Bruin. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Zdeno Chara (@zeechara33) "I am honored to return to TD Garden today to sign a one-day contract with the Boston Bruins and officially finish my career with the team that has meant so much to me and my family," Chara wrote. Chara played his first eight seasons with the Islanders and Senators before signing with the Bruins heading into 2006-07 season. The Bruins also named Chara captain just a few months after he signed as a free agent. He became the third Slovakian-born player to captain an NHL team. Chara spent 14 seasons with the Bruins and enjoyed one of the most memorable careers in the franchise's illustrious history. His time in Boston also saw him emerge as one of the prominent defensemen and leaders in the NHL. Chara won the Norris Trophy for his performances during the 2008-09 season. He scored 19 goals and 50 points while averaging more than 26 minutes in 80 games. He also finished eighth in Hart Trophy voting that season. In the 2010-11 season, Chara played a crucial role in the Bruins winning a thrilling, seven-game Stanley Cup Final series against the Vancouver Canucks to help the franchise earn its first title in 39 seasons. That same season, Chara also won the Mark Messier Leadership Award. Chara spent 14 seasons with the Bruins and scored 481 points in 1,023 games with the club. He remained with the Bruins through the 2019-20 season before signing with the Capitals as a 43-year-old. Chara spent 55 games with the Caps, then signed a contract with the Islanders to have a second stint with the club that drafted in the third round in 1996. Chara's career also had an impact on what he did beyond the NHL. He led his native Slovakia to two silver-medal finishes at the IIHF Men's World Championships while guiding his homeland to second place at the World Cup of Hockey in 2016. www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/34628903/zdeno-chara-45-announced-was-retiring-nhl-signing-one-day-deal-boston-bruins
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Post by mikecubs on Sept 21, 2022 7:08:34 GMT -6
Joe Thornton who is a free agent is the last guy left of any of the pro sports who started in the 1990's. There's rumors he's been talking to the Sharks about playing or a front office role.
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