Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 269, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 November 1913 — Veteran Ball Player Retires From Service [ARTICLE]

Veteran Ball Player Retires From Service

Jim O’Rourke failed to step to bat in the present American Eastern association season, closing a continuous record of ball playing covering a period of over 36 yearß. This veteran has played in at least one game every year singe joining the National league in 1876. He Is now fifty-eight years old. It was only on the advice of a physician that O’Rourke did not play this year. He was a remarkable ball player in his time, batting over .300 in 13 of his 18 years in fast company. Only three players, Dan Brouthers with 15 times, and Hans Wagner with 14, have passed this mark. Adrian Anson holds the record that will probably stand in all baseball history in this respect, batting over .300 20 consecutive times.