Old guys looking to Jamie Moyer for inspiration

Former Mariner Jamie Moyer is the oldest person in
history, 49, to win a major league baseball game as a
pitcher for the Colorado Rockies.

He says there’s a long list of contributing factors to his
success at his age: longevity, good teammate support, good
offensive and defensive support, good coaching, and
ultimately, great support from his family.

There are some days when Moyer says he feels like he’s 49-
years-old, but there are other days when he feels much
younger.

“I feel like as long as I still have the desire and can
still go out and compete and contribute, why not?”

Moyer admits that he didn’t know for sure that he would be
where he’s at now. After spending the year rehabilitating
from an injury at the age of 48, he says he just had a
burning desire to find out if he could pitch again.

“To play as long as I have and then to have this (Tommy
John) surgery to potentially end my career, I wasn’t very
comfortable with that.”

He says if he came out of the surgery and rehab and didn’t
try to pitch, he would have asked himself the question for
the rest of his life.

His desire paid off when the Colorado Rockies offered
Moyer a major league contract in spring training.

And when his arm does finally give out? Dori suggested
returning to Seattle as a designated hitter. But Moyer
doesn’t think that’s a good idea.

“I don’t think my offensive prowess would be beneficial to
any team unless except maybe it’s in a slow pitch league.”

As for actually moving back to the area, Moyer isn’t
making any promises, especially with eight children who
are now
heavily involved in the San Diego schools system. In fact,
the Moyers have listed their Magnolia area home because
it’s just too big for them as they begin to downsize.

Moyer says if he still feels like he can contribute next
season, he’ll keep pitching. But for now, he keeps his
mind in the present and doesn’t focus on the number of
candles on his birthday cake.

“If you take care of yourself and keep yourself in
somewhat decent shape, you can do whatever you want. You
only live life once and you make the best of it.”

The Moyer Foundation is holding its annual giving luncheon
in Seattle on May 23 at the Sheraton Hotel. This year, the
foundation is honoring John and Kelly Olerud with the 2012
humanitarian award.

“I couldn’t think of two better people to give the award.”

If you want to attend the event, check out the moyerfoundation.org or call 206-298-1217.