Jamie Moyer - Pitcher, Hunter, and Gatherer
Quite frankly, the “Jamie Moyer is old” meme has replaced the “Yadier Molina is slow” meme which was preceded by the “Adam Dunn whiffs a lot” meme. At age 49, Moyer seems relatively old by Major League Baseball standards. As such, the jokes and one-liners aimed at Moyer have practically gone viral at this point. Examples:
- I am not saying that Jamie Moyer is old, but he started his career against the Brooklyn Dodgers.
- Moyer actually began his career with a shutout against a lineup that included, Tinkers, Evers, and Chance.
- Moyer has built a solid reputation despite the fact that his first career suspension was handed down by Kennesaw Mountain Landis.
- The last time Moyer could throw 92 mph, the Cubs were just a few decades removed from a World Series victory.
- In order to make Moyer more comfortable, the Rockies’ catchers simply yell out the pitch selection in the direction of his good ear.
- In early 1998, Moyer became the first MLB pitcher to ever stumble out of the bullpen over his own walker sans tennis balls on the bottom.
In truth, the attitude that age is just a number merits some consideration. One might even consider Moyer’s longevity a minor miracle that defies the norm. In what so many people consider a young man’s game, Moyer represents the exception. When you consider that many players received the “washed up” label prior to even turning 35, the presence of a pitcher almost 15 years older than that both bemuses and baffles onlookers.
The most amazing thing about the Moyer story may just be the fact that he has yet to become a 1-inning bullpen guy. In fact, Moyer has managed to toss at least 5 innings in every start this season. On 2 separate occasions, his pitch count reached 100 pitches or more with a season high of 112. Despite pitching home games in Colorado, Moyer has a respectable 4.20 ERA which translates to an ERA+ of 107. He certainly will not place himself in the running for the Cy Young Award, but he hasn’t embarrassed himself by any means, either.
Perhaps the most interesting thing about Moyer remains hidden behind all the lame jokes and 140 character comedic jabs. Consider just some of what the comedians leave out.
- Moyer started his career with the Cubs and has pitched for the Rangers, Cardinals, Orioles, Red Sox, Mariners, Phillies, and the Rockies
- Moyer made his major league debut 7 years before his current employer was even a franchise.
- Despite missing all of 1992 and 2011 due to injury, Moyer has amassed a total of 268 wins in 25 seasons. He has averaged double digit wins per season for his entire 2 1/2 decade career.
- Among active pitchers, his 4.24 ERA ranks 40th.
- His 4059 innings pitched puts him 40th all-time and 1st among active players.
- Moyer ranks 36th in career strikeouts with 2,434.
- Barring injury, Moyer could go another year or more.
Go ahead and poke fun all you like, but the joke is not on Moyer. He continues to set down lineups filled with guys half his age, and he does it by pitching and not relying on a 98 mph fastball to blow people away.
If you are not catching the Payoff Pitch brought to you by the baseball fanatics here at Full Spectrum, then I highly recommend it. The show provides entertainment for baseball fans, insight into the minds of people who consider opening day a national holiday, and even a few tidbits about fantasy baseball that you will not get anywhere else. I would consider this shameless self-promotion, but I have nothing to do with the show. I have a face for radio and the voice of Marge Simpson’s sisters.
/pic9772199.png)
