The best careers after age 35 in MLB history: 4. Cap Anson, 1887-97 (35-45)
- .321/.408/.431
- 927 runs
- 1655 hits
- 1051 RBI
- 39.1 WAR
Coming in at fourth on our list of the best careers after the age of 35 in MLB history is the eldest member of them all, Cap Anson. Adrian Constantine or “Cap” kicked off his professional baseball career in 1871, five years prior to the official establishment of the National League. As a quick reminder, the MLB did not officially form until 1903 when the independently operated American and National Leagues joined causes.
As described on his Cooperstown plaque, Anson is considered the greatest hitter and National League player-manager of the 19th century. It’s hard to argue against that statement, especially after diving into his 27 years of professional baseball experience. Anson spent 22 of these seasons with the Chicago Cubs after 1876, the official founding of the NL. The four-time batting champion hit .300+ in all but three of these years in Chicago.
Anson turned 35-years-old during the 1887 season and put together an extraordinary 11-year run of statistics. He walked away from baseball with an impressive .321/.408/.431 hitting line during this 11-year run and is all over the all-time leaderboard for position players older than 35. The combo 1B-3B-C scored 927 runs, notched 1,655 hits, and drove in 1,051 RBIs during his final 11 seasons.
From ages 35-37, Anson recorded a .340+ batting average in every season, marking two of his four career batting titles. He also drove in 100+ RBIs in five different seasons after his 35th birthday including a league-leading 120 in 1891 at the age of 39. Anson’s 927 runs scored and 1,051 RBIs both rank first on the all-time list of MLB players over the age of 35 while his 1,655 hits are good for second. Anson was elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame in 1939 as voted by the Old Timers Committee.