The players today seem to need more rest today than the players did years ago. Sure, they play eight more games then teams did in the past but still you have to wonder what the cause really is and does it pay off in the long run? The last Twins player to play in 160 or more games in a season was Justin Morneau in 2008. If you look at the list you can’t help but notice that three of the 10 names are shortstops, not exactly an easy position. Paul Molitor did it at the age of 39 but then again he was strictly a DH. Zoilo Versalles played 160 or more games four times and also had a season with 159 games and the man weighed 146 dripping wet with rocks in his pockets. You wonder how he did it.
Rk | Name | Yrs | From | To | Age | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Zoilo Versalles | 4 | 1962 | 1967 | 22-27 | Ind. Seasons |
2 | Kirby Puckett | 3 | 1985 | 1992 | 25-32 | Ind. Seasons |
3 | Harmon Killebrew | 3 | 1966 | 1969 | 30-33 | Ind. Seasons |
4 | Gary Gaetti | 2 | 1984 | 1985 | 25-26 | Ind. Seasons |
5 | Leo Cardenas | 2 | 1969 | 1970 | 30-31 | Ind. Seasons |
6 | Cesar Tovar | 2 | 1967 | 1970 | 26-29 | Ind. Seasons |
7 | Justin Morneau | 1 | 2008 | 2008 | 27-27 | Ind. Seasons |
8 | Torii Hunter | 1 | 2007 | 2007 | 31-31 | Ind. Seasons |
9 | Paul Molitor | 1 | 1996 | 1996 | 39-39 | Ind. Seasons |
10 | Roy Smalley | 1 | 1979 | 1979 | 26-26 | Ind. Seasons |
11 | Tony Oliva | 1 | 1964 | 1964 | 25-25 | Ind. Seasons |
In the American League this past season Manny Machado played in a league leading 162 games and Kyle Seager and Elvis Andrus played in 160 or more. The only National Leaguer to play in 160 or more games was Anthony Rizzo.