The best careers after age 35 in MLB history: 10. Ty Cobb, 1922-28 (35-41)
- .355/.430/.498
- 616 runs
- 1136 hits
- 563 RBI
The top-10 of our list for the best careers after the age of 35 in MLB history kicks off with one of the purest hitters to ever do it. Blessed with an ability to hit to all fields and blazing speed, Ty Cobb scorched opposing pitchers throughout his 24-year career. And turning the ripe old age of 35 didn’t slow this ferocious hitter down one bit.
The batting average is the first thing that jumps off the page when looking at Cobb’s career post-35. The Hall of Famer hit better than .300 in every single season including four seasons with a .350+ batting average. In 1922, when Cobb turned 35, he actually hit .400, something that only 20 players have ever accomplished throughout MLB history.
Cobb notched a .355 batting average after turning 35-years-old, which holds the top spot on the all-time list. He averaged 160+ hits throughout his late career for a total of 1,136 – that mark ranks top-10 on the all-time list. Cobb was also an on-base machine, recording a .430 mark in his final seven seasons. His OBP eclipsed .400 in all but one of these seasons.
The 24-year veteran was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1936 with 222/226 ballot votes.