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Brady, Phil, Helio: Who’s MLB’s 2021 old-timer hero?

By Bill Felber

Meyer Shank Racing driver Helio Castroneves (6) poses for photos to celebrate winning the105th running of the Indianapolis 500, Monday, May 31, 2021, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This is the fourth Indianapolis 500 Castroneves has won.
Meyer Shank Racing driver Helio Castroneves (6) poses for photos to celebrate winning the105th running of the Indianapolis 500, Monday, May 31, 2021, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This is the fourth Indianapolis 500 Castroneves has won. /
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In 2021, the question is which MLB old-timer will lead his team to victory in the World Series?

You’ve probably noticed that old-timer status is the very trendy and very key element in sports this year. Tom Brady, 43, led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to victory in the Super Bowl. Phil Mickelson, 50, won the PGA Championship. And just the other day, Helio Castroneves, 46, won the Indy 500.

In MLB, age can be just a number

In baseball, the candidates for old-timer hero status aren’t quite as old. Still, several players well up into their 30s –and even into their 40s – are poised to play vital roles for World Series contenders.

And that doesn’t even count one of the oldest of them all, Nelson Cruz. Poised to turn 41 next month, Cruz is having another solid season, with an average in the .270s, a team-leading 10 home runs, a team-leading 25 RBIs, and an .839 OPS.

Unfortunately, Cruz’s Minnesota Twins are in the process of wasting all his valuable experience. They’re languishing nine games under .500, and they trail the division-leading Chicago White Sox by a double digit distance.

But if Cruz’s Twins aren’t getting the job done, plenty of other teams led by a baseball old-timer – defined as somebody above age 35 – have at least a plausible chance to win. If they do, their old-timer leader (or leaders) will almost certainly play a key role.

Here’s a look at some of the most plausible old-timer heroes who could emerge come time for the World Series in October.

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