Not only did the National League Central have four playoff entrants this season, it had the league’s four longest-tenured players with one team.
Cardinals Yadier Molina and Adam Wainwright completed their 17th and 16th seasons, respectively, with their clubs and Cincinnati’s Joey Votto his 14th. The jury still is out as to whether Molina and Wainwright will extend their streaks with the Cardinals although both intend to play again while the Reds are obligated to Votto for three more seasons, or until he is 40.
The Milwaukee Brewers also had a player begin his big-league career in 2007, as Votto did.