Ageless Wonders of Sports, How Do They Do It?
Oct. 25, 2006 — -- The youngsters can't seem to touch them.
The most amazing pitchers in the big leagues today also appear to be the oldest. At 41, Kenny Rogers should probably be enjoying this World Series fiddling with his remote control while watching his flat-screen TV.
Instead the Detroit Tigers' veteran is toying with the St. Louis Cardinals sluggers from the pitching mound, with or without help from some strategically placed pine tar.
When it comes to pitching, age doesn't seem to matter. The Philadelphia Phillies just paid $10.5 million to extend pitcher Jamie Moyer for another two years. Moyer is 44 years old.
The most famous aging star in baseball could be seven-time Cy Young award-winner Roger Clemens.
At age 44, Clemens is contemplating a return to the Houston Astros next year to pitch for one more season.
Strength coach Marty Stajduhar has worked with both Rogers and Moyer as well as Nolan Ryan who pitched until he was 46. Ryan is now in the Hall of Fame.
Stajduhar says there is no secret that "you just got to be blessed with the body type to pitch that long."
But the coach says all three focus on "trunk strength."
Stajduhar says it is more important to have strong abdominal muscles and upper leg strength than arm strength.
In fact the coach says Rogers was careful not to lift weights, fearing an injury. Stajduhar says Rogers stays in shape using resistance bands.
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