Career Length of 19th Century Players
I have absolutely no statistical data to support this, but one would think that the career length of the average 19th century starting field player would be, on average, shorter than comparable players of today simply because of the conditions under which they played, the lack of sophisticated medical facilities/training practices and their general approach to the game - like playing drunk.
While Anson's career was exceptionally long, there were plenty of other stars of the day with long careers as well - Jim O'Rourke (23 years), Jake Beckley and Deacon White (20 years), Dan Brouthers (19 years) and Roger Connor (18 years). Heck, even a noted booze-hound like Pete Browning lasted 13 years.
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