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.

The coach also says every pitcher has his own routine on game day. Unlike Rogers, Ryan would begin his pregame warm-up by lifting weights.

Moyer prepares as if he is getting ready for the SAT.

He keeps a diary of every hitter he faces in every situation.

"That was their cookbook for each hitter," Stajduhar said. Moyer studies his cookbook before and during each game to determine just what to serve up for a strikeout.

Stajduhar points out that although aging pitchers may lose some heat on their fastball, they compensate by learning how to keep the hitter off balance.

The coach says Rogers is a master at confusing the batter at the plate.

Stajduhar says for weekend warriors, the key is "to get in shape to play on the weekends rather than playing on weekends to get into shape."

The warm-ups need to be light, followed by some sort of agility drills. The major stretching should be done after the game.

He says the ultimate way to stay in shape is to finish your workout after the game by running in a neck-high pool.

Stajduhar says, "It is the recovery phase that allows you to come back the following days with less stress to your body."

The biggest misconception about athletes is where they get their power.

The coach says it does not come from the arm.

"As in golf and in pitching, you have to have trunk strength to deliver the ball. If you don't have a strong trunk, you cannot have strong legs because your trunk is your foundation. If your trunk is strong and controlled, it will land on strong legs and the arm will just be the guide," he said.

Today old arms continue to baffle big-league sluggers.

Top teams are paying a fortune to keep amazing 40-year-old players out of retirement and on the field.