Oldest Living Professional Baseball Player Found by Genealogist

Following a lead from genealogist David Lambert, the Online Genealogist at the New England Historic Genealogical Society, baseball historians associated with the Negro Leagues have recently discovered the man they believe to be the oldest former professional baseball player. Silas "Si" Simmons, who is now residing in a St. Petersburg, Florida nursing home, will turn 111 on October 14.

As an interesting aside, the professional baseball historians may not have known Si Simmons was still alive and going strong, but residents of St. Petersburg did. Silas Simmons was highlighted in several articles in the St. Petersburg Times in recent years recognizing his 100+ birthdays, and mentioning his association with the Negro Leagues. Here's one from the occasion of his 110th birthday in 2005, and another from his 109th birthday in 2004.