Of the four major sports, are any greats still with us that starred in the '50s?

[saturdaysarebetter]

I couldn't think of any off the top of my head, but I could remember those that were amongst the biggest stars in the '60s that are still living.
MLB - Sandy Koufax
NHL - Bobby Orr
NFL - Joe Namath, Lenny Moore in the '50s wasn't he?
NBA - Oscar Robertson
NCAA - Lew Alcindor

 

[Tom McAndrew]

I couldn't think of any off the top of my head, but I could remember those that were amongst the biggest stars in the '60s that are still living.
MLB - Sandy Koufax
NHL - Bobby Orr
NFL - Joe Namath
NBA - Oscar Robertson
NCAA - Lew Alcindor

Sticking with MLB:

Koufax made his MLB debut in 1955, so he sort of qualifies. He didn't start to dominate until 1961, so you can decide.

Bill Mazeroski made his MLB debut in 1956, and is still living.

Luis Aparicio made his MLB debut in 1956, and is still living.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

In the NFL, I believe Lenny Moore is still alive, and after his PSU career he starred for the Colts starting in 1956.

I believe Raymond Berry, who started with the Colts in 1955, is still alive.

There may be more ... that's all I could think of.

 

[LionJim]

Jerry Kramer started in 1958.

 

[Anon1683841811]

Does Penn State great Rosey Grier count (NYG, Rams)? He’s still around.

 

[fairgambit]

And then there was Bobby Shantz. I remember Bobby from my earliest days of following the game.

Robert Clayton Shantz (born September 26, 1925) is an American former professional baseball left-handed pitcher. He played in the Majors from 1949 through 1964, and won the 1952 American League MVP award as a member of the Philadelphia Athletics. A three-time All-Star Shantz won eight consecutive Gold Glove Awards and won a World Series championship with the 1958 Yankees. He is the last living Philadelphia Athletics player, the oldest living MLB MVP, and the only living player who debuted in MLB in the 1940's.
Played for 7 different teams including Pirates and Phillies. He pitched in relief for the Yankees in the 7th game of the 1960 World Series. At only 5'6" tall, he had a remarkable career.

 

[MrTailgate]

Bob Cousy is still alive I believe. I think he might be the greatest oldest player in any sport. Bob Pettit is in his 90’s and is still alive.

In baseball, as has been mentioned, Koufax is the oldest greatest player. Other notables in their 80’s and beyond include Aparicio, Billy Williams, and Juan Marichal.

 

[Marshall2323]

And then there was Bobby Shantz. I remember Bobby from my earliest days of following the game.

Robert Clayton Shantz (born September 26, 1925) is an American former professional baseball left-handed pitcher. He played in the Majors from 1949 through 1964, and won the 1952 American League MVP award as a member of the Philadelphia Athletics. A three-time All-Star Shantz won eight consecutive Gold Glove Awards and won a World Series championship with the 1958 Yankees. He is the last living Philadelphia Athletics player, the oldest living MLB MVP, and the only living player who debuted in MLB in the 1940's.
Played for 7 different teams including Pirates and Phillies. He pitched in relief for the Yankees in the 7th game of the 1960 World Series. At only 5'6" tall, he had a remarkable career.


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correct! Being a short guy myself, always a hero. Saying he was 5'6' was probably a stretch. I stopped by his ice cream/burger joint (Pitch and Catch) in the summer of 1969 where he had all his Gold Gloves etc on display. He was flipping burgers with a rug on. LOL

 

[Bkmtnittany1]

PGA… Mitch Kumstein!

 

[MrTailgate]

correct! Being a short guy myself, always a hero. Saying he was 5'6' was probably a stretch. I stopped by his ice cream/burger joint (Pitch and Catch) in the summer of 1969 where he had all his Gold Gloves etc on display. He was flipping burgers with a rug on.

One of the greatest fielding pitchers, Jim Kaat, modeled his motion off watching Schantz. When Kitty got enshrined, he wanted Schantz to be there to acknowledge and thank him. You won’t find two nicer guys than Bobby Schantz and Jim Kaat.

 

[Catch1lion]

Art Schallock, the oldest living MLB player just passed away. An All-time great man because in addition to facing Jackie Robinson in the WS, he also served as a radio operator aboard the USS Coral Sea in WWII. He earned 11 battle stars. We say goodbye to another one of the greatest generation.

Art Schallock, oldest living AL/NL player and 3-time World Series champ, dies at 100

Art Schallock, the oldest living former AL/NL player and a World War II veteran whose debut with the Yankees sent Mickey Mantle to the Minors, died on Thursday. He was 100 years old. His death was announced by Cogir of Sonoma Plaza, the senior-living community in Sonoma, Calif., where he

www.mlb.com

 

[razpsu]

PGA… Mitch Kumstein!

Mitch was My roommate, “he got kicked out for night putting with the deans daughter”