He's only <insert age here> years old

[Effington]

Hey guys,

I've heard this expression in other sports, probably more predominant in football, but it's also the strong case in baseball, focusing on the successful "young" players. However, what is the cutoff for being an up-and-comer?

For example, in another thread I read someone referred to Albert Pujols as "only" 29 years old. Is that really that young? I thought by the 30's you're considered past your prime and declining? Honestly, the only guys who I see as amazing, young and improving superstars are guys like Evan Longoria, Adam Jones, and Justin Upton. Albert Pujols is a bonafide superstar, but I see him as in his prime now, not a young stud who's on the rise.

You can make the argument in football as well. LT is around 29 and considered passed his prime, also guys like Steven Jackson, or Larry Johnson, who is not even that old.

So my question is, where do we make the distinction between "on the rise" vs. "decline", and what is the range of your "prime"?

[littlebugga26]

well it's most definitely different between the sports.

Also it depends upon your experience in the league. For instance, LeBron is only 23 or 24 and he is already entering his prime.

If I had to estimate, the average NFL Player enters his "prime" at about age 26 and it ends at about age 30, depending on his position.

In baseball I'd say that the ending age is alot higher because the sport is less demanding on your body.

[OhCanadian]

Quote: Originally Posted by Effington

Hey guys, I've heard this expression in other sports, probably more predominant in football, but it's also the strong case in baseball, focusing on the successful "young" players. However, what is the cutoff for being an up-and-comer? For example, in another thread I read someone referred to Albert Pujols as "only" 29 years old. Is that really that young? I thought by the 30's you're considered past your prime and declining? Honestly, the only guys who I see as amazing, young and improving superstars are guys like Evan Longoria, Adam Jones, and Justin Upton. Albert Pujols is a bonafide superstar, but I see him as in his prime now, not a young stud who's on the rise. You can make the argument in football as well. LT is around 29 and considered passed his prime, also guys like Steven Jackson, or Larry Johnson, who is not even that old. So my question is, where do we make the distinction between "on the rise" vs. "decline", and what is the range of your "prime"?

Well, hockey prime is 23-32ish. Baseball seems to be much longer than that. 26-36???

[masterkembo]

Football prime is way different than baseball. Not many guys have real successful careers after the age of 30 in football (except QBs). How many RB's have ever put up huge numbers into their 30's? Obvisouly there is some, but they're the exception rather than the norm. Those guys just take too much of a beating.

Pujols is without a doubt in his prime, but he is still young in a sense. Often, baseball players don't hit their power number potential until their early 30's for whatever reason, so in that sense Pujols may have his best homerun numbers ahead of him and as long as he stays healthy, could easily put another 8-10 big number seasons on the board.

[moemoe24]

Quote: Originally Posted by littlebugga26

well it's most definitely different between the sports. Also it depends upon your experience in the league. For instance, LeBron is only 23 or 24 and he is already entering his prime. If I had to estimate, the average NFL Player enters his "prime" at about age 26 and it ends at about age 30, depending on his position. In baseball I'd say that the ending age is alot higher because the sport is less demanding on your body.

No no....that's what is so scary about Lebron, he isn't in his prime yet but just getting ready to enter it. He's already playing like a prime time player, but age wise, he's getting ready to enter into it. In another year or 2, Lebron will be the best player to ever play basketball ever......anywhere!!!

[OhCanadian]

Quote: Originally Posted by moemoe24

No no....that's what is so scary about Lebron, he isn't in his prime yet but just getting ready to enter it. He's already playing like a prime time player, but age wise, he's getting ready to enter into it. In another year or 2, Lebron will be the best player to ever play basketball ever......anywhere!!!

You obviously haven't seen me play. I'm 6'1 210lbs of pure white dude! Phhhhh, Nothing but air!

[rangers76]

Quote: Originally Posted by Effington

Hey guys, I've heard this expression in other sports, probably more predominant in football, but it's also the strong case in baseball, focusing on the successful "young" players. However, what is the cutoff for being an up-and-comer? For example, in another thread I read someone referred to Albert Pujols as "only" 29 years old. Is that really that young? I thought by the 30's you're considered past your prime and declining? Honestly, the only guys who I see as amazing, young and improving superstars are guys like Evan Longoria, Adam Jones, and Justin Upton. Albert Pujols is a bonafide superstar, but I see him as in his prime now, not a young stud who's on the rise. You can make the argument in football as well. LT is around 29 and considered passed his prime, also guys like Steven Jackson, or Larry Johnson, who is not even that old. So my question is, where do we make the distinction between "on the rise" vs. "decline", and what is the range of your "prime"?

At 26 and 27 respectively I'd throw Ian Kinsler and Josh Hamilton in there too.

[renatus]

Quote: Originally Posted by moemoe24

No no....that's what is so scary about Lebron, he isn't in his prime yet but just getting ready to enter it. He's already playing like a prime time player, but age wise, he's getting ready to enter into it. In another year or 2, Lebron will be the best player to ever play basketball ever......anywhere!!!

the best in the age of the rules that cut down on defence