Longtime independent baseball tryout attendee, Paul Risso, had a possible “Today Show” appearance scheduled earlier this year when he attempted to join the St. Paul Saints. Risso has been a longtime attendee of team/league tryouts, and he finally will earn the chance to pitch 1 inning in a pro baseball game on July 17. He will pitch for the Raton Osos of the Pecos League.
What makes Risso different is that he is 60 years old. He was drafted in 1973 by the Pirates, but never played an inning of professional baseball:
There have been pitchers in the independent leagues who were around the same age or older when they pitched in actual games; but Paul will be the oldest with no previous pro experience.
The other pitchers include:
- Ted “Double Duty” Radcliffe (96 years old, threw a pitch for the 1999 Schaumburg Flyers)
- Pat Jordan (56 years old with the 1997 Waterbury Spirit)
- Bill Lee (2010 with the Brockton Rox at 63 years old and 2012 with the San Rafael Pacifics at 65 years old)
All had previous professional experience before their stints in the independent leagues.
Here is more on the story:
Here are stories about Paul from earlier this year:
- http://www.fggam.org/baseball-fans-you-gotta-love-this-60-year-old-pitcher-paul-risso-of-albuquerque-tries-out-for-the-st-paul-saints/
- http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_23148258/sixty-year-olds-pitch-st-paul-saints-sign
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