Franchise players

Gwynn, Ripken were loyal subjects to the end

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Sticking Around Active players with the most years playing for one team: Player  Team  Yrs  Cal Ripken Jr.  BAL  21  Tony Gwynn  SD  20  Barry Larkin  CIN  16  Tom Glavine  ATL  15  Edgar Martinez  SEA  15  Craig Biggio  HOU  14  Gary DiSarcina  ANA  13  John Smoltz  ATL  13  Ray Lankford  STL  12  Charles Nagy  CLE  12  Frank Thomas  CWS  12  Jeff Bagwell  HOU  11  Eric Karros  LA  11  Shane Reynolds  HOU  11  Ivan Rodriguez  TEX  11  Jim Thome  CLE  11  Bernie Williams  NYY  11  John Valentin  BOS  10

The upcoming retirements of Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn might signal the end of a rare breed of ballplayer.

Both sluggers have played all 20-plus seasons of their careers with their original teams, joining such legends as Brooks Robinson and Stan Musial in that exclusive club (see chart, below). In all, there are 17 players in this club, including 13 Hall of Famers. That number will grow to 15 when Ripken and Gwynn are inducted in five years.

There are 18 active players in the major leagues who have been with their original teams for at least 10 seasons.

Barry Larkin, in his 16th year as Cincinnati's shortstop, could have the best chance to join Ripken, Gwynn and Co. Atlanta's Tom Glavine and Seattle designated hitter Edgar Martinez also have served 15 years with the same teams.

But in this era of huge free agent contracts, the incentive to change teams has never been greater. And with salaries growing every season, few players have the desire to put in a 20-year career.

-- Compiled by CNNSI.com Staff

Roaring 20's
23 Seasons
Player	Team	Years
Brooks Robinson	Baltimore	1955-77
Carl Yastrzemski	Boston	1961-83
22 Seasons
Player	Team	Years
Cap Anson	Chicago-NL	1876-97
Al Kaline	Detroit	1953-74
Stan Musial	St. Louis	1941-44, '46-63
Mel Ott	New York-NL	1926-47
21 Seasons
Player	Team	Years
George Brett	Kansas City	1973-93
Walter Johnson	Washington	1907-27
Ted Lyons	Chicago-AL	1923-42, '46
Cal Ripken Jr.	Baltimore	1981-present
Willie Stargell	Pittsburgh	1962-82
20 Seasons
Player	Team	Years
Luke Appling	Chicago-AL	1930-43, '45-50
Red Faber	Chicago-AL	1914-33
Tony Gwynn	San Diego	1982-present
Mel Harder	Cleveland	1928-47
Alan Trammell	Detroit	1977-96
Robin Yount	Milwaukee	1974-93

 

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