Creating a 26th man on the roster for older baseball players.

There are many 35 and over vets that actually have some game left, but just can't be justified for the 25 man roster. I think it could spice the game of baseball up a bit if a 26th spot could be kept open for ball players that are 35 years of age or older.

In 2006, (Todd Hollandsworth's final year in the majors) Todd Hollandsworth made a spectacular ninth inning throw that nailed a runner trying to tag up and score the tying run from third. The ball blew in all the way on a fly and the runner, who by all accounts should have been safe, was out as Vic Martinez caught the ball just before the runner arrived. Any sort of bounce at all and the runner would probably have easily been safe. It remains a memory for me because the throw was so expertly and forcefully delivered from a pretty good distance away.

Todd Hollandsworth is the kind of vet who could probably come into certain late inning defensive situations and perhaps make another magical throw home. Other than his prolific arm, Hollandsworth might not get much playing time. As it stands now, Mr. Hollandsworth's Major League career ended after the 2006 season, even though Todd still has something to give to the game of baseball.

Trot Nixon is another example of a player who can still hit, but just can't really be justified taking up a precious roster spot on a 25 man team. I love to see Trot handle the bat even at his "advanced" age. Fouling off pitch after pitch, maybe just to work the pitcher for a walk, or a seeing eye single. Watching any Trot Nixon at bat sure beats watching a rookie get behind in the count and then meekly swing at strike three because they had no idea what pitch was coming next.

Fred McGriff, who nobody would ever mistake as a steroid user, fell just short of 500 home runs (493). It sure would have been neat to see the crime dog get number 500 without having to take up one of the coveted 25 regular roster positions.

Curtis Pride is another ballplayer who spent 95% of his career in the minors. Born almost completely deaf, Curtis would have been an ideal 26th guy and it would have been a great reward for a ballplayer who languished so long in the minors because he loved the game.

Look at the way it ended for Kenny Lofton. 90 feet away from being the tying run in the 7th game of the Red Sox / Indians 2007 championship game. Kenny was probably erroneously held up on what should have been a game tying single. Was that really the last we will ever see of Kenny Lofton. Kenny still looked good even at age 40 and still had base running speed as well. Kenny Lofton would make an ideal second half player for a team headed towards the playoffs, but once again, probably not on a 25 man squad, but most likely on a 26 man squad.

Every baseball city, every team, has a story of a veteran player who still had something to give his team, but was put out to pasture because the 25 man roster could not accommodate him. It might sure add some humility to the rest of the roster to see what it's like to be older and talented and willing to take a very part time job just for the love of the game.