An expert athlete’s teenage years can jump-start their profession. And whereas Father Time at all times comes calling finally, for some gamers, he is prepared to attend.
LeBron James celebrated his fortieth birthday Monday, and he’ll be making historical past as soon as once more. Assuming he fits up within the Lakers’ subsequent recreation versus the Cavs on Tuesday night time, he’ll change into the primary participant in NBA historical past to play each as a young person and in his 40s.
The Los Angeles Lakers star has evaded Father Time longer than {most professional} athletes. He’s presently averaging 23.5 factors, 7.9 rebounds and 9.0 assists per recreation.
But James is not the primary athlete to stay productive of their 40s after making a reputation for themselves as a teen.
Here’s a take a look at notable MLB and NHL gamers whose careers spanned from their teenagers to their 40s.
MLB
Babe Ruth
Debut age: 19
Retirement age: 40
One of baseball’s icons, Ruth received his begin in MLB in 1914, enjoying primarily as a pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, the place he spent six seasons.
Prior to the 1920 season, Ruth was bought to the rival New York Yankees, sparking the notorious “Curse of the Bambino.” Ruth cemented his spot amongst MLB’s biggest stars in New York, spending a decade and a half in pinstripes and hitting 659 of his 714 profession dwelling runs.
Ruth’s ultimate marketing campaign at age 40 introduced him again to town the place his profession started, in a short-lived stint with the Boston Braves.
Ty Cobb
Debut age: 18
Retirement age: 41
One of baseball’s earliest stars, Cobb made his MLB debut at 18 years previous however did not really escape as one of many sport’s high gamers till his third season — when he led the league in hits, RBIs, batting common and stolen bases.
Cobb spent a complete of twenty-two seasons with the Detroit Tigers, together with spending the ultimate six as player-manager. He then joined the Philadelphia Athletics for a two-year stint to shut out his profession.
Nolan Ryan
Debut age: 19
Retirement age: 46
A Hall of Fame pitcher, Ryan had outstanding longevity. MLB’s all-time chief in strikeouts performed in 4 completely different a long time.
His profession included stops with the New York Mets, California Angels, Houston Astros and Texas Rangers. Ryan made eight All-Star appearances throughout his time with the Angels, Astros and Rangers, although his lone World Series victory (in 1969) got here throughout his early years with the Mets.
Willie Mays
Debut age: 17
Retirement age: 42
The “Say Hey Kid” made his skilled debut at 17 years previous with the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues. He’d later transfer on to the MLB ranks, the place he put collectively a outstanding profession with the New York/San Francisco Giants.
Regarded as top-of-the-line outfielders to ever play the sport, Mays compiled two MVPs, 24 All-Star appearances and 12 Gold Gloves in his profession.
Ken Griffey Jr.
Debut age: 19
Retirement age: 40
Griffey and James share extra accolades than simply their long-tenured careers. While LeBron has shared the court along with his son Bronny James this season, Griffey performed along with his father, Ken Griffey Sr., in 1990 and 1991 on the Seattle Mariners.
One of baseball’s high sluggers, Griffey hit 630 dwelling runs over the course of his in depth profession, in addition to seven Silver Slugger awards and three Home Run Derby crowns. Griffey was no slouch within the subject both, with 10 Gold Gloves to his identify.
NHL
Gordie Howe
Debut age: 19
Retirement age: 52
Few athletes have defied Father Time like “Mr. Hockey,” whose skilled hockey profession spanned an eye-popping 32 years: 26 within the NHL and 6 within the World Hockey Association.
Howe spent the vast majority of his profession with the Detroit Red Wings, profitable 4 Stanley Cups. He retired after the 1971 season then returned for the 1973-74 season for the Houston Aeros of the WHA. He performed 4 seasons there, then moved to the New England Whalers.
Howe’s ultimate skilled season was spent within the NHL for the Hartford Whalers in 1979-80. At 52 years and 11 days previous in his ultimate recreation, he was the oldest particular person to ever seem in an NHL recreation.
Jaromír Jágr
Debut age: 18
Retirement age: 45
Though Jágr’s profession within the NHL concluded in 2018, the legendary winger — who will flip 53 in February — remains to be enjoying professionally along with his hometown Kladno Knights of the Czech Extraliga. In September, he formally introduced he’ll retire on the finish of this season. In April 2024, he passed Howe to change into the oldest participant to take common shifts on an expert workforce.
Jágr made his identify with the Pittsburgh Penguins, the place he gained two Stanley Cups and the MVP (in 1998) over 11 seasons. Jágr bounced across the league after leaving Pittsburgh in 2001, enjoying for eight completely different groups over the following 17 years. The Penguins retired his jersey in February 2024.
Jágr’s skilled hockey profession in Czechia, North America and Russia has spanned 37 years.
Patrick Marleau
Debut age: 18
Retirement age: 41
The San Jose Sharks icon is the NHL’s all-time leader in video games performed with 1,779, making his longevity much more spectacular. Marleau’s ultimate season was 2020-21, however he didn’t officially retire till May 2022.
Marleau performed 21 of his 23 NHL seasons with San Jose, main the franchise in targets, factors and pictures.
Mark Messier
Debut age: 18
Retirement age: 43
The Hall of Famer started his profession enjoying one season within the WHA earlier than the Edmonton Oilers chosen him in 1979. That sparked a memorable NHL run that included six Stanley Cups and two MVPs.
Messier remained productive in his ultimate season, wherein he compiled 43 factors in 76 video games.
Ron Francis
Debut age: 18
Retirement age: 40
“Ronny Franchise” made his presence recognized wherever he performed. After a dominant stretch with the Hartford Whalers to start his profession, Francis had a key function within the Penguins’ back-to-back Cup wins within the early ’90s.
After being traded from the Carolina Hurricanes to the Toronto Maple Leafs in his ultimate season in 2003-04, Francis registered 4 factors for the Leafs in 12 postseason video games.
ESPN Research contributed to this story.
