How Old Is Edwin Jackson?

Driving to every major league ballpark that Edwin Jackson has called home, one by one, in order, would require driving for more than 16,000 miles to reach 11 stadiums. (Toronto not included on this hypothetical road trip; he was on the Blue Jays’ roster for a few hours between trades at the 2011 deadline, but he never made an appearance in uniform.) This is the source of Edwin Jackson’s one fun fact—unless you find it especially fun that he led the majors in losses in 2013—that he has been mostly middling-ish, though sometimes quite bad and, less frequently, good, in this many places. This is what people talk about when they talk about Edwin Jackson. He is one franchise short of Octavio Dotel’s record for most played for. And today, for the first time in his career as a free agent, he’s chosen to re-sign with his most recent team. Rather than tying Dotel’s record, he’s sticking with the Nationals on a minor-league deal. At least for now.

Here is a question, then. How old is Edwin Jackson? I would have said, I think, 38 this morning. If you told me he was 42, I would have believed you. If you told me he was 44, I would have thought it was a tad old, but I would have believed you. If you told me he was 36, I would have thought it was a tad young, but I would have believed you.

Edwin Jackson is 34!!

People should talk about this more when they talk about Edwin Jackson. Who knew. Incredible.