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Show PROFESSIONAL BALL TOSSER FOR 36 YEARS JIM O'ROURKE New Haven, Conn., Sept 27. The world's record for continuous ball-playing ball-playing was closed when Jim O'Rourke failed to stop to the bat before the Bastern Association closed this season last week. For thirty-six years the I veteran has played at least one game during: the sea.-on In order to be placed on record as still in professional base. InUI In which hl.s service dates from the formation of the National League ' In 1874 till the present time. For Ifhlrty-slx years "Uncle Teems" has been In the game, but 1913 has ! passed Into history and he has dropped out; Eager as he has been to play Just one game in order that bis average might be recorded as n part of the history of the sport he look tho adlco 0f his physician who ldvised him thaL because of a severe ; lines.- the past winter, he should ' piit athletics. i Close ujon sixty years of age. the I I veteran retired from every day play-ing play-ing only four years ago, but ho hag made It a hobby to play at least one t regular match till the recent time. It is not believed that any other rival has parsed the quarter century mark In continuous service, althouA O'Rourke was enrolled in professional profession-al baseball for practically every scheduled match of the sucoeaslvA seasons for more than thirty year. His record, it seems certain, will never be beaten. He is fifty-eight years old. Another record which he held for three years Is of playing on the same nine with his own son. Jimmy, Jr. They wre together for several years on tho Bridgcports, which the father owned. Jimmy. Jr., "Sonny Jim" has heen with Columbus of the American .Association since his father sold the Bridgeport franchise, including a ball field on the lot where the veteran. Jim O'Rourke pitched hay when he was a boy. |