WASHINGTON — The legend of Bartolo Colon continues to grow. The right-hander — affectionately known as “Big Sexy” — can now lay claim to outlasting a Major League ballpark.
The Atlanta Braves closed the doors at Turner Field one final time Sunday as they get set to move into SunTrust Park next spring. The Braves first played at Turner Field on April 4, 1997 — the same day a 23-year-old Colon made his Major League debut for the Cleveland Indians.
The 43-year-old was Major League Baseball’s oldest player this season, but that didn’t keep him from leading the New York Mets with a 15 wins in a team-high 33 starts. The last active Major Leaguer to ever play for the Montreal Expos (2002), Colon also became the oldest player in big-league history to hit his first career home run when he went deep off Padres starter James Shields this season.
Colon’s home run is among the most memorable moments from his 2016 campaign, which also included a fourth career trip to the All-Star Game. But as the milestones and accolades continue to pile for Colon, his latest feat may top them all.
While Turner Field has officially closed, Colon is a lock to be included on the Mets 25-man playoff roster. He will be in uniform when the Mets host the San Francisco Giants in the National League wild card game Wednesday at Citi Field.
