Oldest Living Former Major Leaguers

by Al Yellon on Feb 2, 2009 3:31 PM CST

Mike, who draws the cartoons here, and I were having a discussion about the oldest living former players, since Bill Werber, who had been the oldest, died a couple of weeks ago, age 100.

Here's a list of the oldest living former players. Note that #8 on the list is former Cubs manager Herman Franks, who was a catcher when he played in the 1940's. He turned 95 last month.

Other former Cubs on the list are the great Phil Cavarretta, who will be 93 in July, and Lennie Merullo, who will be 92 in May. Joe DiMaggio's brother Dom is on the list; he'll be 92 next week.

Interesting stuff.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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"Young" Andy Pafko

He will turn 88 on February 25.

"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Feb 2, 2009 3:56 PM CST reply actions

Tony Malinosky, Brooklyn Dodgers (99 years young)

is now the oldest living HOF member.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Feb 2, 2009 4:11 PM CST reply actions

Bobby Doerr and Bob Feller

They are the two oldest living HOF members born in 1918. Doerr is 7 months older than Feller. Musial might be the third oldest. Stan the Man was born in 1920.

"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Feb 2, 2009 4:22 PM CST up reply actions

Feller appeared at the Cubs convention.

Looks pretty good for a guy who will soon be 91.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Feb 2, 2009 4:26 PM CST up reply actions

Ah, must have been looking at the wrong list.

Thanks!

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Feb 3, 2009 4:06 PM CST up reply actions

Kenny Lofton?

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Feb 2, 2009 4:48 PM CST reply actions

Not yet.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Feb 2, 2009 4:52 PM CST up reply actions

I didn't see

Julio Franco.

"Booze, broads, and bullshit. If you got all that, what else do you need?" Harry Caray

by CubbieintheSouth on Feb 2, 2009 5:06 PM CST reply actions

He was at home working out. I think he believes there may be a roster

spot somewhere out there for him.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Feb 2, 2009 6:37 PM CST up reply actions

I will never forget him getting that hit in the all star game at Wrigley.

I think it was off Dibble, I told my little cousin, “He will never get around on this guys heater”. Next pitch right into the gap.

"Booze, broads, and bullshit. If you got all that, what else do you need?" Harry Caray

by CubbieintheSouth on Feb 2, 2009 9:27 PM CST up reply actions

Thanks, Al

for mentioning Herman Franks……who operated as Leo’s spy, relaying catcher’s signs at the old Polo Grounds. Maybe it does pay to cheat afterall?

by leothelip on Feb 2, 2009 5:16 PM CST reply actions

He must have done that as a coach.

He played only one game for the NY Giants.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Feb 2, 2009 5:23 PM CST up reply actions

Yes

He was Leo’s right hand man in the dugout

by leothelip on Feb 2, 2009 8:16 PM CST up reply actions

http://archive.demos.org/pubs/Many20at20home20with20cheating20Baltimore20Sun%2012.13.05.pdf

by leothelip on Feb 2, 2009 8:21 PM CST up reply actions

Lonny Frey with the Cubs

Played 78 games as a utility infielder for the Cubs in 1937. Batted .278 in 198 at bats with only 1 home run. Her eventually played in 3 World Series with the Reds and the Yankees.

by cub512 on Feb 2, 2009 7:18 PM CST reply actions

#10 George Binks is a Chicago Guy

I met him when he was living in Downers Grove in the late 1970s, but he was born in Chicago. At that time, he worked locally as a machinist. I knew him through his daughter who I went to school with. Her name was actually Georgetta, and she had worked at the Chicago Playboy Club in the late 1960s. And get this -she actually dated Billy Connors while he was with the Mets in 1968. She also said she went out with Nolan Ryan. Eddie Yost, a coach for the Mets, had introduced her to these guys when she and her father had gone to Wrigley one afternoon. Eddie and George Binks had roomed together on the Washington Senators in the late 1940s. True story.

by cub512 on Feb 2, 2009 7:54 PM CST reply actions

Cool story.

Thanks! Billy Connors was apparently quite the ladies man when he was a player.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Feb 2, 2009 8:12 PM CST up reply actions

So Al was Phil Cavarretta as good as they say ?

I figure you and Mike are the only guys who saw him in his prime.

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry

by Doggie Stalker on Feb 3, 2009 12:36 AM CST reply actions

Grrrrrr....

…. I think you owe me another Big Gulp for that one!

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Feb 3, 2009 3:47 AM CST up reply actions

Herman Franks is 95!

That gives hope of longevity for fat guys everywhere!

The wonders of modern cardiology these days…

by Champ Summers on Feb 3, 2009 11:01 AM CST reply actions

Another note -

There is now no living major leaguer who was born before the Cubs last won the World Series. Discuss.

by Champ Summers on Feb 3, 2009 11:05 AM CST reply actions

Frey and Cavaretta

While Phil Cavaretta is “only” the 24th oldest player on this list, if you go by time of their ML debut, Cavaretta is second only to Lonnie Frey in chronology from their playing days. Frey’s ML Debut was August 29, 1933. Cavaretta, by virtue of playing for the Cubs while he was still in high school, was in the majors on September 16, 1934.

So if you want to play “He was a teammate of _________,” you’ve got Frey, who was a teammate of Dazzy Vance, Hack Wilson, Lefty O’Doul and Dutch Leonard with the Dodgers.

Cavaretta is a little more interesting, if only because the Cubs of the 1930s were a better team than the Dodgers. (“Is Brooklyn still in the league?” Bill Terry famously asked.) Cavaretta played with Gabby Hartnett, Kiki Cuyler, Stan Hack, Charlie Grimm and Charley Root.

by Josh Timmers on Feb 3, 2009 11:12 AM CST reply actions

Billy Herman

Cavaretta also played with HOF’er Billy Herman with the Cubs.

"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Feb 3, 2009 1:41 PM CST up reply actions

#36 Hal Manders on the 1946 Cubs

He pitched in two games for a total of 6 innings giving up 11 hits with a 9.00 ERA. His career record with the Cubs was 0-1. More interesting, he is a cousin to #58 Bob Feller. The power of genetics.

by cub512 on Feb 3, 2009 7:17 PM CST reply actions