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MLB History: Best careers after age of 35

By Adam Taylor McKillop

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 28: A baseball with MLB logo is seen at Citizens Bank Park before a game between the Washington Nationals and Philadelphia Phillies on June 28, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 28: A baseball with MLB logo is seen at Citizens Bank Park before a game between the Washington Nationals and Philadelphia Phillies on June 28, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Dazzy Vance
Dazzy Vance (C) (Photo by Mark Rucker/Transcendental Graphics, Getty Images) /

The best careers after age 35 in MLB history: 29. Dazzy Vance, 1926-35 (35-44)

  • 111 wins (111-94) 
  • 3.25 ERA
  • 37.0 WAR
  • 41 games finished 
  • 14 shutouts 

Dazzy Vance is the second starting pitcher to find a spot on this list, coming in at number 29. Vance spent 16 seasons in the MLB, 10 of which came after he turned 35-years-old. He’s best known as one of the early and premier strikeout pitchers after dominating opposing batters throughout the 1920s and ’30s.

Vance was inducted into Baseball’s Hall of Fame in 1955 and for good reason. Detailed on his Cooperstown plaque, Vance was the first pitcher in the National League to lead the MLB in strikeouts for seven consecutive seasons, from 1922-28. Four of these seasons came before age 35, but the streak continued for three seasons following that milestone birthday.

The 1924 Most Valuable Player award winner led the MLB in ERA two different times following his 35th birthday, including a 2.09 mark in 1928. Vance started 292 games, winning 111 of them with a 3.25 ERA, 37.0 WAR, 3.26 FIP, and 14 shutouts. Sadly, the Hall of Famer passed away on Feb. 16, 1961.

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