Thoughts of fruitcake helped me think of this question. Many in this section, are knowledgeable about other sports, as well as hockey. I am not one of them.
I "believe":
Satchel Paige was like 59 or 60 years old in baseball
Teddy Sheringham was about 40 years old in soccer
George Blanda had a 26-year career in football
Gordie Howe played in 5 decades
What sport do you think produces the longest lasting players?
2007-12-27 06:25:18 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Hockey
Mike, you are so punny!
2007-12-27 07:16:07 · update #1
Curling
2007-12-27 07:23:53 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Good question-Also Minnie Minoso played in like 3 or 4 decades.Football players usually don't have a long shelf life Blanda and Gary Anderson were both kickers.I would say baseball has the longest.Bonds and Clemens even though there roid heads have lasted pretty long.If your an All-Star in baseball you can last 20 years or so.Not too many Middle linebackers or QBs last more than 7 years IMO.
2007-12-27 07:02:44 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think boxers ever retire. LOL
A lot depends on the position they played. Blanda was a kicker, mostly, so he could last longer than a linebacker or running back. Paige was a pitcher, so he had more longevity than an outfielder or catcher. Now that the American League has the Designated Hitter, a ballplayer can stick around as long as he can hit. 20-year careers are pretty good in the NHL! You have to give respect to those that can lace them up that long. Soccer's a girl's sport, so they don't count.
2007-12-27 06:35:29 · answer #3 · answered by pricehillsaint 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The tradition of team sport, in this case Aussie Rules for its first 80 + years, was based on the tribe selecting the best group of representatives from WITHIN ITS OWN RANKS, and sending them onto the field. The players grew up in tribal territory, were proud of being able to represent their peers and had to remain loyal, and whatever payment, gratuity, gift etc they got came from the tribe. Respect ran both ways and club, family and tribe reputations were never sullied by all the headlines that today's mercenaries (someone who serves in a foreign army for pay) generate. My generation inherited all of this, respected it, and passed it on. $ucce$$ive generations have had other idea$ and the term $port - a diversion: recreation: amusement , no longer applies. The tribe no longer has a tribal territory, loyalty is now only to the club flag (half the team were probably the enemy last year and many will be next year) so we are left with just an ENTERTAINMENT by paid performers at AFL level. Thankfully grassroots local club footy remains tribal.
2016-05-27 04:00:13 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Now that Roger Clemens has shown the sports world what you can do with a bag-o-roids and half season schedules we may see a lot more baseball players in the late fourties.
Really, in baseball you run 90' once or twice a day and 180' a couple times a week, how great of shape do you need to be in? A cigarette and a couple jelly doughnuts should get you in shape for those deadly bench clearing conversations.
2007-12-27 09:31:23 · answer #5 · answered by cme 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In the early 90s I read an article that said that the number of baseball careers lasting 20+ years was 3x greater than the other three sports combined.
Since then, I can't think of any NFL players who have had a 20 year career, I can't think of any NBA players who went on to play 20 (Karl malone came close). A handful of hockey players have played 20, but several MLB playershave done it as well.
So, I'll say steroidball gets my vote!
Keep in mind, I don't consider poker, darts, driving a car around an oval, and wearing plaid pants and hitting a ball on different lengths of grass to be a sport - those are all about as strenuous as drinking 5 beer a day, and I top that easily most days!
2007-12-27 06:54:45 · answer #6 · answered by Like I'm Telling You Who I A 7 · 6⤊ 1⤋
In team sports, probably baseball.
It's not as hard physically on the body as hockey, football, basketball, soccer etc. and as players get older, particularly pitchers, they can adapt and use their knowledge of the game to stay in the game.
In some of the other sports, once your legs are gone, you're done.
2007-12-27 07:02:47 · answer #7 · answered by michael 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
These days I'd say baseball has the most players in their 40's and has the longest career span.
2007-12-27 06:28:26 · answer #8 · answered by Advice 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Golf. How else can you explain Craig Stadler?
Add: If Greg Oden ever plays a game in the NBA he may set the record as oldest pro athlete ever.
2007-12-27 07:59:42 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, I can think of plenty of athletes in all four major league sports that I'd like to leave on the shelf for the rest of their lives!
2007-12-27 08:31:04 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋