Tim McCarver mentioned during Saturday’s Yankees/Red Sox game that it’s been a long time since a team won a World Series with a shortstop 35 years or older. There was no follow up, so is it due to a lack of 35-year-old shortstops.? The following graph shows the percentage of plate appearances of each position by age, 1974-2009. Look at the changes for the tough defensive positions versus the easier ones (click for a lager image):

Notice how shortstops, second basemen and centerfielders dominate in the early 20s, but by their mid 30s they are disappearing. The tougher defensive positions are for younger men. It’s another nice representation of the defensive spectrum, as first basemen and DH dominate the older years.