The oldest player in the men’s Senior Baseball League took to the field today, but he almost didn’t make it there.

86-year-old Bruce Jaslow, who has won more than 15 championships in the league, suffered a rotator cuff injury 20 years ago.

His surgeon, Dr. Nick Scaglione performed two surgeries that Jaslow says extended his career by 10 or 15 years. Scaglione is the chairman of the Department of Orthopedics at Northwell Health.

Jaslow invited Dr. Scaglione to the season’s opening game today as a gesture.

Scaglione sees his progress as a testament to the human spirit.

“To have the ability to work with a patient that’s motivated to make it back, it makes my day,” Scaglione said.

Jaslow says he has been playing the game since he was 12-years-old.