Aging is inevitable, and for those in the sports profession its something they try to avoid as long as possible. The game is a physical one, and over the years it grueling impact on the body takes its toll. But there are those few who seem to defy the odds, players that make the motto”the older the wiser” a truth. With the win on Friday by 39 year old goaltender Martin Brodeur he etched a page in the history book proving age means nothing on the biggest stage. Here is my list of the top 5 players who played the game with passion years past their prime:

5. Julio Franco: He played over 23 years in MLB, with just under a .300 batting average for his career. A three time all-star and five time silver slugger award winner, Franco left his mark on baseball. But while his stats were good, he will always be remembered as the oldest MLB player to put on a uniform. A record that is now tied by the 49 year old Jamie Moyer.

4.) Jamie Moyer: While Franco was know as the oldest player to suit up in the field, Moyer did his part as a pitcher. Yeah, and he still does. Entering his 24th year Moyer has some hardware to go along with his long career as he was an all-star in 03 and a member of the Phillies World Championship team in 2008. He has the most active wins, losses and strikeouts of any active pitcher.

3.) Ronde Barber: The NFL is grueling, especially on defense. But Ronde has proved his resiliency as he played in his 15th season this past year. He not only won a Superbowl, but he was selected 5 times to the Pro-Bowl and slated as a three time first team All-Pro selection. He leads the league in most starts by a cornerback and most sacks by a cornerback. Barber is three the list purely cause at age 37, he can keep up with some of the fastest receivers in the game, who are mostly 10 years his senior or younger.

3.) Martin Brodeur: He enters his 18th season with the New Jersey Devils at the age of 37. He is the NHL leader in most wins, most shutouts, most career saves, most overtime wins and most games played by an NHL goaltender. He is the only goaltender to ever score a game winning goal. This season he will surpass the 100 playoff game milestone. It doesn’t look like he’s aged at all.

2.) Karl Malone: The “Mailman” played an illustrious 19 year career, mostly with the Utah Jazz. His duo with John Stockton is one of the best two man punches ever in basketball. Malone left the game as the number two all time scorer in NBA history. He has a number of playoff greats, MVP awards and ranks as one of the top 50 players in the game.

1.) Brett Favre: The below video explains everything you need to know:

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