Wednesday Walewanders: Aging Lefties Edition

I’m intrigued by this Kenny Rogers-may-return storyline. Based on his last few appearances in 2008 I can’t imagine there’s anything left in the tank. But then I watched the postseason and saw the Phillies’ Jamie Moyer get it done…more or less — against the Rays if not the Brewers or Dodgers.

This year, at 45, Moyer ended up at 16-7, 3.71, with 33 starts and 196 innings pitched. For his part, Rogers, 43, was 9-13, 5.70, 30 starts and 170+ innings pitched.

When Moyer was 43 (in 2006), he was 6-12, 4.39 in 25 starts with the Mariners and 5-2, 4.03, eight starts after a trade to Philly. In 2007, at 44, Moyer went 14-12, 5.01 in 33 starts.

On Opening Day — in fact, next Monday — Rogers will be 44. Should the Tigers consider him as a viable option as their number-five starter? Maybe.

Other stuff…

• On this date in 1976, the Orioles’ Jim Palmer, who led the American League with 22 victories and 315 innings pitched, wins the American League Cy Young Award be securing 19 of the 24 first-place votes. The Tigers’ rookie Mark Fidrych finished second with five. (Future-Tiger Frank Tanana was third.)

  The Bird would get his hardware, of course, during that postseason by winning the Rookie of the Year Award with 22 first-place votes to the two first-place votes for Twins catcher Butch Wynegar.

• Happy 49th Birthday to Lloyd Moseby, a long-time Blue Jays outfielder that joined the Tigers as a free agent for the 1990 and ‘91 seasons. His best overall season was 1984: .280, 18 HR, 92 RBI and 15 triples.For the Tigers he simply kept centerfield warm for Milt Cuyler. Ahem. The Portland, Ark. native hit .255 in two Detroit seasons with a total of 20 homers. He retired after the 1991 season at the surprisingly young age of 31.