When RHP Brett Tomko took the mound Wednesday prior to the rain delay, he became the third oldest player ever to suit up for the Sky Sox, and the oldest starting pitcher to ever start a game for the franchise.

The 41-year-old was drafted in the second round of the 1995 draft by the Cincinnati Reds and has been playing professional baseball ever since, including for nine different PCL organizations — a league record.

Prior to signing with the Rockies to a minor league debut this week, the 14-year Major League veteran signed a minor league deal with the Kansas City Royals in March and pitched in nine games (eight starts) with Triple-A Omaha. He compiled a record of 4-3 with a 3.80 ERA (47.1 ip, 20 er) while striking out 32 and walking 19.

In 2013, Tomko pitched for the York Revolution of the independent Atlantic League, which was the first season since 1996 that he did not pitch in at least Triple-A.

Oldest Sky Sox players (all positions):

1) Mike Timlin – 43y, 5m, 2d old when last appeared in relief on August 12th, 2009 for the Sky Sox.

2) Jason Giambi – 41y, 7m, 23d old when last appeared in game on August 31st, 2012.

3) Brett Tomko – 41y, 2m, 4d old when first appeared in game on June 11th, 2014.

4) Dave Veres – 40y, 9m, 18d old when last appeared in relief on August 6th, 2007.

5) Matt Herges – 39y, 4m, 19d old when last appeared in relief on August 20th, 2009.

6) Vinny Castilla – 39y, 1m, 26d old when last appeared in game on August 30th, 2006.

Other Tomko Notes

– February 2000 was traded from Cin to Sea as part of the deal in which the Reds acquired OF Ken Griffey Jr.

– Was the starting and winning pitcher on 10/4/2001 vs Texas when the Mariners broke the 1998 Yankees’ American League record with their 114th regular season win.

-In 2004, his first season in San Franciso, he ranked second on the Giants’ staff in wins (11), innings (194.0) and strikeouts (108) while ranking third in starts (31).

– In 2003, he ranked second on the Cardinals’ staff in wins (13), starts (32) and innings pitched (202.2).

– In 2002, led the Padres in starts (32) and complete games (3) while ranking second in wins (10), innings (204.1) and strikeouts (126).

– In his rookie season in 1997, tied Dave Burba for the staff lead with 11 wins, the most by a Reds rookie righthander since Pat Zachry won 14 games and Santo Alcala 11in 1976