newjerseynewsroom.com

20 years ago, the Chicago Cubs offered pitcher Jamie Moyer a coaching job. He never took it.

Instead, he continued to pitch in the big leagues. And Tuesday night the 49-year-old was rewarded for his perseverance by becoming the oldest pitcher in big-league history to win a game as he pitched the Colorado Rockies to a 5-3 victory over the San Diego Padres.

"I didn't think about this day because I thought it would be unfair to my teammates and the game," Moyer was quoted as saying afterward in USA Today. "To me, it was more important that I won for this team."

Incredibly, Moyer didn’t pitch last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in December 2010. He spent 2011 as an analyst for ESPN, but always planned to try to pitch again this season.

The Rockies gave him a shot and the father of eight earned a spot in their rotation. His victory, with his family in attendance, allowed him to replace Jack Quinn of the Brooklyn Dodgers in the record books. Quinn was 49 years, 70 days old when he won in 1932; Moyer won at 49 years and 152 days old.

Moyer began his big-league career in 1986. Tuesday’s victory was his first since June 27, 2010. He now has 268 wins, and is tied for 34th all time with Hall of Famer Jim Palmer.

"I kind of wish I was a baseball historian, and I am a little embarrassed that I don't know more about it," Moyer said. "To have my name mentioned with the greats of the past is special."

Moyer went seven innings against the Padres, giving up no earned runs and six hits — without breaking 80 mph on the radar gun!

Kyle Lohse, a former teammate of Moyer’s with the Phillies who now pitches for the Cardinals, was impressed.

"That's awesome, isn't it?'' Lohse, 33, told USA Today. "He's not going to amaze anybody with any of his stuff. I mean, I don't even have the guts to go out there throwing 78 mph. But he can pitch, and that's what it's all about in this game.''

Moyer said during spring training that he felt rejuvenated by the surgery.

“I have a new arm,” Moyer said. “It's like when you buy something new. It's that kind of feeling. I had a new arm.''

And permanent retirement isn’t in Moyer’s thoughts right now.

"I'm going to take this season for what it is and give it my best,” he said Tuesday night. “If I retire at the end of the season, I retire. If I continue to play, I continue to play. To concern myself with that now would kind of get in the way of what I'm trying to do.

"I think I'll know inside when the time comes. But for right now I feel pretty darn good. I'm pretty happy with where I am.''

--JOE GREENE, NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM