AL Central: The perils of aging
Apr 23 2026
The aging curve in most sports can be especially cruel. In baseball, if you haven't succeeded in the majors by 26 or 27, you're typically written off as a bust, and if you do succeed, by the time you reach your mid-30s, you're often being pushed out by someone younger. For some players, transitioning into a reduced role as a veteran proves tolerable; others do not go gently into that good night.
We saw those dynamics at play over the weekend with the Royals and 35-year-old franchise legend Salvador Perez. On Saturday, manager Matt Quatraro sat Perez for the first time all season, suggesting that the veteran catcher needed a "mental breather" after struggling at the plate to open the 2026 season. On Saturday night, Perez...
Almost!
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