Aging like fine wine: Top 10 players over 35

Here’s to you, Albert Pujols. Your 564th and 565th home runs on Monday night gave us another night to remember. Here’s to your greatness as well as your grace and dignity. Has it really been 16 seasons? Seems like only yesterday…

Same goes for you, David Ortiz. Thanks for the ride. And you, Bartolo Colon. And you as well, Jose Bautista and Adrian Beltre and Brad Ziegler.

If this is starting to sound like some kind of farewell tribute, it’s not. Far from it. This young baseball season has reminded us yet again that some of the game’s oldest players are still some of its best.

At a time when baseball is blessed by the arrival of waves of young talent, we pause today to appreciate some of those who’ve been to a rodeo or two.

Here’s a top 10:

1. Adrian Beltre, Rangers • Age: 37 • Key statistics: 1.3 WAR, .849 OPS • Bottom line: His Hall of Fame ticket has been punched, and he remains one of the game’s best players. Beltre is one of baseball’s all-time great defensive third basemen, and he remains an offensive force.

2. Jose Bautista, Blue Jays • Age: 35 • Key statistics: .976 OPS ranks 14th among all Major Leaguers; 19 walks are tops in the American League; 12 extra-base hits • Bottom line: He’s the face of the Blue Jays, both with his production and his fiery personality. His postseason bat flip is one of the iconic moments in the history of a great franchise.

3. David Ortiz, Red Sox • Age: 40 • Key statistics: .970 OPS is tied for 15th among Major Leaguers; eight doubles, three homers, 14 RBIs, .405 OBP. • Bottom line: He’s one of the faces of …

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