Darrell Evans Makes History at 40

On September 18, 1987, veteran Tigers slugger #DarrellEvans etched his name into the record books. In a tight 7–6 win over the Milwaukee Brewers, Evans launched his 30th home run of the season, becoming the first player in Major League history to hit 30 homers in a season at age 40 – which is crazy when you think about all the power hitters that came before him and past 40 – Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, just to name a few. But none of them could pull off 30 HRs after they were over-the-hill, or so to speak.

This wasn’t just a milestone. It was a statement. Evans, known for his keen eye and power swing, defied age and expectations. He’d already led the American League in home runs two years earlier at age 38, and now, at 40, he was still going deep and helping the Tigers stay competitive in the AL East.

The homer came in front of a home crowd at Tiger Stadium, and it was a classic Evans shot – smooth, powerful, and historic. His achievement paved the way for future veterans to believe that age is just a number when you’ve got the swing and the grit.