With the Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Indians locked in a 2-2 tie Monday night at Progressive Field in Cleveland, 42-year-old Jason Giambi came to the plate as a pinch-hitter to lead off the ninth inning against White Sox reliever Ramon Troncoso. This happened:
With the drive, Giambi became the oldest player in baseball history to hit a walk-off home run. Braves legend Hank Aaron formerly held the record, but Giambi was 45 days older Monday night than Aaron was on the date of his last walk-off blast (and second-to-last career homer) back on July 11, 1976, when he was with the Milwaukee Brewers.
The only other 42-year-old batter to knock a walk-off shot was Tony Perez of the Cincinnati Reds in 1984.
Despite his .194 batting average, Giambi has performed admirably for a man of his age in 2013 — getting on base at a .301 clip with seven homers in 124 at-bats. But Giambi’s only the third-oldest active player in the majors, and both players his senior have arguably outperformed him in 2013.
Toronto Blue Jays lefty Darren Oliver has a 3.82 ERA in 33 innings out of the bullpen. And 43-year-old New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera has yet to show any real signs of aging in his final season in the majors.
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