10 Oldest Living Baseball Hall of Famers (Updated 2024)

Baseball is one of America’s greatest pastimes and some of the greatest athletes of all time have been baseball players. All of the men on this list were inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame for their achievements as players, coaches, managers, or Commissioner of Baseball in Bud Selig’s case. Although these Hall of Famers are in their 80s and 90s, many of them are still actively involved with the MLB, holding various executive positions or advisory roles.

As of August 2023, the information on this list is as accurate as possible and will be updated as needed.

10. Juan Marichal (October 20, 1937 – Present)

photo source: Wikimedia Commons

Juan Marichal, a native of the Dominican Republic, is one of several Baseball Hall of Famers who is currently 83 years old. Marichal was right-handed pitcher who spent most of his career with the San Francisco Giants. He also briefly played for the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers, before retiring in 1975. Marichal won more games than any other pitcher in the 1960s, but appeared in only one World Series game. Additionally, Marichal was renowned for one of the fullest windups in modern baseball, with a high kick of his left leg that went nearly vertical. He also had a reputation for intimidating other players and aiming pitches directly at the opposing batters’ helmets. Marichal became the first player from the Dominican Republic to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1983.

Did You Know?

Juan Marichal and Milwaukee Braves’ Hall of Famer Warren Spahn, are known for the greatest game ever pitched in MLB history on July 2, 1963. Marichal and Spahn tossed 15-plus inning complete games and matched scoreless innings until Giants outfielder Willie Mays homered off Spahn to win the game – this is something that had not happened before or since in the Major Leagues.

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9. Orlando Cepeda (September 17, 1937 – Present)

photo source: Wikimedia Commons

Orlando Cepeda, who was born in Puerto Rico, made his MLB debut on April 15, 1958 with the San Francisco Giants. Cepeda grew up playing baseball because his father, Pedro “Perucho” Cepeda, was a pro baseball player in Puerto Rico and was considered “The Babe Ruth of Puerto Rico.” After attending a New York Giants’ tryout, Cepeda played in the minor leagues before attracting the attention of the Giants. In addition to the Giants, Cepeda played for the St. Louis Cardinals, Atlanta Braves, Oakland Athletics, Boston Red Sox, and Kansas City Royals.

Despite an aggressive campaign by many Puerto Ricans, celebrities and ordinary citizens alike, international celebrities, and former teammates, Cepeda was not inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame before his eligibility expired in 1994. However, Cepeda was elected by the Hall’s Veterans Committee in 1999, becoming the second Puerto Rico to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Did You Know?

Over his 17-year career, Orlando Cepeda selected to play in 11 Major League Baseball All-Star Games, becoming the first player from Puerto Rico to start a game.

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8. Pat Gillick (August 22, 1937 – Present)

photo source: Wikimedia Commons

Pat Gillick spent three decades as a general manager in the MLB, primarily with the Toronto Blue Jays. Gillick had played in the minor leagues for a few years before he started a front-office career in 1963. He joined the Toronto Blue Jay in 1976 and stayed with the team until 1994. After he resigned from the Blue Jays in Gillick, he had fairly short stints with the Baltimore Orioles, Seattle Mariners, and the Philadelphia Phillies.

Gillick retired from his position as a general manager in 2008, after leading the Phillies to a World Series championship. He also briefly served as the Phillies’ interim president from 2014 – 2015. Gillick was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997, the National Baseball Hall of Fame on July 24, 2011, the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in 2013, and the Phillies Wall of Fame in 2018.

Did You Know?

As the general manager of the Toronto Blue Jays, Pat Gillick won five division titles (1985, 1989, 1991, 1992 and 1993) and led the club to their first World Series championships in 1992 and 1993.

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7. Rickey Henderson (December 25, 1958 – Present)

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Rickey Henderson, known as the “Man of Steal,” is widely celebrated as the greatest leadoff hitter and baserunner in baseball history. He holds the major league records for career stolen bases, runs scored, and leadoff home runs, making him a game-changing force during his time on the field.

Did You Know?

Henderson was famously meticulous about his uniform, insisting on it being immaculately clean and perfectly fitted for every game. He believed this affected his performance.

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6. Bill Mazeroski (September 5, 1936 – Present)

photo source: Wikimedia Commons

Bill Mazeroski spent 17 seasons as the second baseman for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Mazeroski Mazeroski is widely regarded as one of the best fielders ever, at any position. He quickly became known for his defensive prowess and earned his first of eight Gold Glove Awards in 1958. Following his playing career, Mazeroski spent a few years as a third-base coach for the Pirates and the Seattle Mariners. Mazeroski was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001. During the induction ceremony, Mazeroski was so overcome with emotion, that he was unable to deliver his speech and ended up apologizing to those who “had to come all the way up here to hear this crap!”

Did You Know?

During the 1960 World Series, which the Pittsburgh Pirates won, Bill Mazeroski hit a walk-off home run in Game 7, the only game 7 walk-off homer in World Series history.

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5. Sandy Koufax (December 30, 1935 – Present)

photo source: Wikimedia Commons

Sandy Koufax is another baseball legend who is still alive and well. Koufax, who has been hailed as one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history, played with the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers for 12 seasons. Unfortunately, Koufax’s outstanding career was cut short when he developed arthritis in the his left elbow. Despite ending his career early, Koufax’s 2,396 career strikeouts are ranked 7^th in history. Koufax was the first major league pitcher to pitch four no-hitters and the eighth pitcher to pitch a perfect game in baseball history.

Did You Know?

Sandy Koufax won three Cy Young Awards in 1963, 1965, and 1966, by unanimous votes, making him the first three-time Cy Young winner in baseball history.

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4. Bud Selig (July 30, 1934 – Present)

photo source: Wikimedia Commons

Bud Selig is the only Hall of Famer on this list who was not a former player, manager, or coach. Instead, Selig is known for being the 9^th Commissioner of Baseball as well as the first Commissioner Emeritus of Baseball, a role that was created specificially for him in 2015. Before becoming acting commissioner in 1992, Selig was part owner of the Milwaukee Brewers and after he accepted the role of Baseball Commissioner, Selig transferred his ownership to his daughter. Originally, Selig’s role as Commissioner was set to expire in 2012, but he decided to stay on past his 80^th birthday. Selig finally retired at the beginning of 2015.

Did You Know?

Bud Selig’s tenure as Commissioner of Baseball was marred by some controversies, most notably The Mitchell Report, which revealed that the use of steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs was widespread among players.

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3. Luis Aparicio (April 29, 1934 – Present)

photo source: Wikimedia Commons

Luis Aparicio, who hails from Venezuela, is the only foreign-born Hall of Famer on this list. Aparicio, nicknamed “Little Louie” is the the first player from Venezuela to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. From 1956 to 1973, Aparicio played as a shortstop, mostly for the Chicago White Sox, but also for the Baltimore Orioles and Boston Red Sox. Aparicio was known for his exceptional defensive and base stealing skills. MLB legend Ted Williams called Aparicio “the best shortstop he had ever seen.”

Did You Know?

There is a sports complex in Luis Aparicio’s hometown, Maracaibo, Venezuela, that is named after the legendary shortstop.

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2. Reggie Jackson (May 18, 1946 – Present)

photo source: Wikimedia Commons

Reggie Jackson, known as “Mr. October” for his clutch hitting in the postseason, helped his teams win five World Series titles. He was known for his powerful swing, charismatic presence, and ability to perform under pressure, which made him one of the era’s most prominent figures. 

Did You Know?

Jackson hit three consecutive home runs in the decisive game of the 1977 World Series, each on the first pitch from three different pitchers.

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1. Johnny Bench (Dec 7, 1947 – Present)

photo source: Wikimedia Commons

Johnny Bench is regarded as one of the greatest catchers in baseball history. His prowess both behind the plate and with the bat helped the Cincinnati Reds dominate the National League in the 1970s. He was a key part of the Big Red Machine, winning two World Series championships with the team.

Did You Know?

Willie Mays hit over 50 home runs in 1955 and 1965, representing the longest time span between 50-plus home run seasons for any player in Major League Baseball history.