This post will not do Jamie's career justice. This guy is a legend.
Jamie Moyer was not exactly a superstar just dripping in Cy Youngs and All-Stars, but Jamie was just an insanely steady, solid pitcher in the major leagues for 25 YEARS, just an absurd amount of time.
Even though Jamie was never a straight up dominant pitcher year in and year out, I'd say overall, his career is absolutely and fully in the next tier below like Roy Halladay or Johan Santana, and other guys like that.
In some ways, Jamie's career is honestly kinda better. I'd personally love to have this dude's career, he must have had a blast!
In Jamie's 25 seasons as a pro MLB pitcher, he played for eight different teams, his best seasons probably being with the Seattle Mariners and the Philadelphia Phillies. It must have been a lot of fun playing all across the country in various cities. I guess that goes for literally any pro athlete, but just thinking how much Jamie traveled over such a long period of time, getting paid to play the game he loves, it just feels next level when it comes to Jamie Moyer.
I mean just look at this card! He played all the way till he was 49 in 2012!! This is the type of card I LIVE for as a collector. Just look at all those stats man!
Jamie Moyer made his MLB debut five days after Ferris Bueller's Day Off was released in theaters! Jamie's debut was June 16th 1986, this legendary film was released June 11th.
As far as I can tell, Jamie's last appearance in the MLB was just ten years ago, May, 27th 2012. The popular movie in theaters at the time was Men in Black 3!
Talk about a massive gap in time!
While Jamie's longevity in the sport is extraordinary, the league did not keep him around out of the kindness of their hearts. Jamie stayed in the league so long because he was damn good!
According to baseball-reference.com, Jamie's average season W-L record is 14-11 to go along with a 4.25 ERA. Just a dependable dude to have in any rotation!
Jamie won at least 15 games in five separate seasons. He also reached 20 wins twice at the ages of 38 and 40. His career high in wins is 21, which he accomplished at 40!
Jamie was an All-Star in 2003, the year he won 21 games. That same year he placed 5th in AL Cy Young voting! Moyer also placed 4th (2001) and 6th (1999) in AL Cy Young Voting during his career.
Moyer spent so long in the MLB and mercifully, the baseball gods blessed the man and he did win a World Series with the Phillies in 2008! Moyer was a big part of the team that year and went 16-7 as a starting pitcher at 45 years old!
Pitching in the MLB for so long, Jamie is connected to so many players, both past and present. The guy is an icon in his own right. My wimpy brain simply can't even fathom just how much he's impacted the game.
He's a legend in Seattle and Philly and probably a mild legend in many other cities. In baseball, definitely a major legend, period.
Not many ball players are built like this guy. I'm glad I got to watch him play and I'm glad he helped Philly win a World Series! Thanks Mr. Moyer!!!
Interestingly, my dad was an Orioles fan. Moyer played on the Orioles in the 90's before he passed. 11 years later, Moyer wins the World Series with the Phils. Pretty trippy.
Some Jamie Moyer moments!
