Toledo, Ohio — Father Time is undefeated.
That notion doesn’t stop players from trying to extend their playing days and attempt to get the most out of the last few years of their careers. There is no specific age at which players hang up their cleats and head peacefully into retirement.
Jarrod Saltalamacchia hears the subtle whispers from his 33-year-old body almost daily. The daily maintenance isn’t as easy as it once was, but he still prepares every day for the Toledo Mud Hens, just extending the fight with Father Time.
After spending 10 years in the major leagues with seven teams — including playing 92 games with the Tigers in 2016 — Saltalamacchia is in Triple A this season with a new role.