These old Cubs: How many Cubs played past age 40?

At 44 years old, Ichiro Suzuki is heading home to Seattle. The Hit King* returns to the Emerald City six seasons after he was dealt to the Yankees in what is expected to be the end of his Hall-of-Fame career.

But that got me thinking. How many Cubs have played at age 44 or older? And who are the oldest Cubs ballplayers in history?

The first question is easy to answer. Here’s the list of Cubs who were older than Ichiro:

1970—Hoyt Wilhelm, 47

1953—Dutch Leonard, 44

1897—Cap Anson, 45

So two knuckleballing relievers and Cap Anson.

Wilhelm only played three games for the Cubs in 1970. They claimed him off waivers from the Braves on September 21 and traded him back to the Braves in the offseason. His…