It’s true, I didn’t give Jamie Moyer the respect he deserves.
The 46-year-old lefty is returning for his 23rd major league season, and here I am, projecting him to end his season short with sub-par (but not entirely poor) numbers.
But this is something the old wiseman has done plenty of times.
When Moyer suited up for season 22, most figured he’d be finished with his career by the end of the campaign. Instead, the slow-balling St. Joe’s grad posted fine numbers (16-7, 3.71 ERA), proving himself worthy of a 23rd season and a two-year pact to remain with his hometown nine. Even before signing the contract, I half hoped Moyer would hang up the cleats after parading down Broad Street. Wasn’t that the way he was supposed to go? The perfect full-circle of a pretty solid career?
If Jamie Moyer is about one thing, it’s defying odds. He did it at age 29, recouping from a minor league demotion (and 34 career wins) to become a solid starter in Baltimore. He did it again at age 34, reinventing himself from swing man to reliable starter. Then a third time, at age 38, he recovered from multiple injuries to take the ace job with the Mariners as a 20-game winner. And he did it once more at age 45, tossing one of the best seasons of his career en route to his first world championship ring. Yes, Moyer is nothing if not living proof.
So as the old man takes the mound to begin his 23rd season, I hope to eat crow with my beer. Just as so many have done so before.
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