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Checking wikipedia for a query I'd had about World Series highlights on the ref. desk, I stumbled across Harry Payne in the "did you knwo" part of the front page. A Welsh rugby player, he played in veteran matches till he broke an ankle at age 84. Payne is mentioned as having appeared at age 82; i didn't get the reference but I'll presume it was an important match.

Your challenge - have an Amiercan team sports figure (no fair individual - Sam Snead was close to that when he won his last tournament) active at age 84. The requirements:

1. Must be baseball, football, basketball, hockey, or soccer; I'll give you the last if there's a *really* good one who might be able to play in the NASL or current soccer league.

2. He can retire long enough to enter a Hall of Fame and come back, but doesn't have to be a HOFer.

3. Doesn't have to be a regular past age 40, but has to have been on different rosters (minors, CBA count) in 90% of years past age 50 for the full season. (Player-manager counts) He must have gotten into at least...oh, 1/10th of his team's games. (That's 2 for football; decided to change it from 3. 8 in basketball and hockey, 15-16 in baseball.)

4. Must have played on at least one championship team in the top level of that sport in his 80s.

5. You can't just give a guy the fountain of youth. However, you can: a. use a POD of no serious injury at a young age that helps them play longer; and, b. Keep a person from dying younger. So, for instance, if Satchel Paige does well enough they offer him a contract after his 3 scoreles innings in 1965, and you want him to pitch till the year 1990, that's fine; something can happen so he just gets seriously ill instead of dying in 1981.

George Blanda and one NHL player...Gordy Howe?...are also good possibilities. Have fun.
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