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When do careers peak?
The age of a player's best season, stat by stat, from hundreds of finished careers in five sports. Running backs peak young, and some home run hitters peak in their late 30s.
By Austin · October 16, 2026
Every fan has a theory about when players are at their best. We checked, using hundreds of finished careers in five sports: for each player, the season of his career-best in a stat, and how old he was that season. The sample for each stat is the 200 biggest careers in it, so these are stars and long-time regulars.
| Sport | Stat | Typical peak age | Careers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baseball | home runs | 28 | 200 |
| Baseball | hits | 27 | 200 |
| Baseball | stolen bases | 27 | 200 |
| Baseball | wins (pitching) | 28 | 200 |
| Baseball | strikeouts (pitching) | 27 | 200 |
| Basketball | points per game | 26 | 200 |
| Basketball | rebounds per game | 26 | 200 |
| Basketball | assists per game | 27 | 200 |
| Basketball | threes per game | 28 | 200 |
| Football | passing yards | 26 | 140 |
| Football | rushing yards | 25 | 200 |
| Football | receiving yards | 25 | 200 |
| Hockey | goals per game | 25 | 200 |
| Hockey | assists per game | 27 | 200 |
| Hockey | points per game | 26 | 200 |
| Soccer | goals | 27 | 200 |
The short answer: the mid-to-late 20s, almost everywhere. The differences between stats are the interesting part.
Baseball
Baseball careers are long, and hitting is a skill that keeps improving with experience, so its peaks come later than most sports'. The rare players who peak in their mid-30s are among the most famous names in the game.
| Stat | Typical peak age | Typical peak season |
|---|---|---|
| home runs | 28 | 8 |
| hits | 27 | 7 |
| stolen bases | 27 | 5 |
| wins (pitching) | 28 | 6 |
| strikeouts (pitching) | 27 | 6 |
- Age 201
- Age 212
- Age 223
- Age 237
- Age 249
- Age 2514
- Age 2615
- Age 2725
- Age 2829
- Age 2918
- Age 3019
- Age 3117
- Age 3215
- Age 334
- Age 348
- Age 352
- Age 363
- Age 377
- Age 392
Home runs
Early peaks among the biggest names: Mel Ott (42 home runs at 20, in 1929), Eddie Mathews (47 home runs at 21, in 1953) and Reggie Jackson (47 home runs at 23, in 1969). The latest: Hank Aaron (47 home runs at 37, in 1971), Barry Bonds (73 home runs at 36, in 2001) and Willie Mays (52 home runs at 34, in 1965).
Hits
Early peaks among the biggest names: Alex Rodriguez (215 hits at 20, in 1996), Al Kaline (200 hits at 20, in 1955) and Rickey Henderson (179 hits at 21, in 1980). The latest: Paul Molitor (225 hits at 39, in 1996), Tony Gwynn (220 hits at 37, in 1997) and Zack Wheat (221 hits at 37, in 1925).
Stolen bases
Early peaks among the biggest names: Jimmy Sheckard (77 stolen bases at 20, in 1899), Bill Dahlen (60 stolen bases at 22, in 1892) and Mike Griffin (94 stolen bases at 22, in 1887). The latest: Lou Brock (118 stolen bases at 35, in 1974), Honus Wagner (61 stolen bases at 33, in 1907) and Harry Stovey (97 stolen bases at 33, in 1890).
Wins
Early peaks among the biggest names: Bob Feller (27 wins at 21, in 1940), Kid Nichols (35 wins at 22, in 1892) and Bobby Mathews (42 wins at 22, in 1874). The latest: Jamie Moyer (21 wins at 40, in 2003), Mike Mussina (20 wins at 39, in 2008) and Randy Johnson (24 wins at 38, in 2002).
Strikeouts
Early peaks among the biggest names: Dwight Gooden (276 strikeouts at 19, in 1984), Frank Tanana (269 strikeouts at 21, in 1975) and Dennis Eckersley (200 strikeouts at 21, in 1976). The latest: Charlie Hough (223 strikeouts at 39, in 1987), Phil Niekro (262 strikeouts at 38, in 1977) and Cy Young (210 strikeouts at 38, in 1905).
Basketball
A basketball player's peak balances athleticism, which fades from the mid-20s, against experience and role: a star's usage climbs as his team builds around him. Shooting is the skill that ages best.
| Stat | Typical peak age | Typical peak season |
|---|---|---|
| points per game | 26 | 6 |
| rebounds per game | 26 | 6 |
| assists per game | 27 | 6 |
| threes per game | 28 | 7 |
- Age 201
- Age 216
- Age 226
- Age 2313
- Age 2419
- Age 2521
- Age 2628
- Age 2722
- Age 2819
- Age 2913
- Age 3010
- Age 3111
- Age 322
- Age 331
Points per game
Early peaks among the biggest names: Terry Cummings (23.7 points per game at 21, in 1982), Isiah Thomas (22.8 points per game at 21, in 1982) and Carmelo Anthony (28.9 points per game at 22, in 2006). The latest: Hakeem Olajuwon (27.8 points per game at 32, in 1994), Gary Payton (24.2 points per game at 31, in 1999) and Larry Bird (29.9 points per game at 31, in 1987).
Rebounds per game
Early peaks among the biggest names: Shaquille O'Neal (13.9 rebounds per game at 20, in 1992), Terry Cummings (10.7 rebounds per game at 21, in 1982) and Juwan Howard (8.4 rebounds per game at 21, in 1994). The latest: Pau Gasol (11.8 rebounds per game at 34, in 2014), Dikembe Mutombo (14.1 rebounds per game at 33, in 1999) and Marcus Camby (13.1 rebounds per game at 33, in 2007).
Assists per game
Early peaks among the biggest names: Stephon Marbury (8.9 assists per game at 21, in 1998), Kevin Johnson (12.2 assists per game at 22, in 1988) and Mike Bibby (8.4 assists per game at 22, in 2000). The latest: Karl Malone (4.7 assists per game at 39, in 2002), Gary Payton (9.0 assists per game at 33, in 2001) and Steve Nash (11.6 assists per game at 32, in 2006).
Threes per game
Early peaks among the biggest names: Joe Johnson (2.2 threes per game at 23, in 2004), Nick Van Exel (2.3 threes per game at 23, in 1994) and Jamal Crawford (2.6 threes per game at 24, in 2004). The latest: Jason Kidd (2.2 threes per game at 36, in 2009), Dale Ellis (2.3 threes per game at 36, in 1996) and Steve Nash (2.2 threes per game at 33, in 2007).
Football
Football is the hardest sport on the body, and it shows. Running backs, who take the most hits, peak early and fade fast; quarterbacks, protected by the rules, can stay near their best for a decade.
| Stat | Typical peak age | Typical peak season |
|---|---|---|
| passing yards | 26 | 4 |
| rushing yards | 25 | 3 |
| receiving yards | 25 | 4 |
- Age 213
- Age 225
- Age 2312
- Age 2422
- Age 2512
- Age 2617
- Age 2718
- Age 2816
- Age 296
- Age 309
- Age 313
- Age 327
- Age 334
- Age 354
- Age 361
- Age 381
Passing yards
Early peaks among the biggest names: Cam Newton (4,051 passing yards at 22, in 2011), Blake Bortles (4,428 passing yards at 23, in 2015) and Robert Griffin (3,203 passing yards at 23, in 2013). The latest: Josh McCown (2,926 passing yards at 38, in 2017), Ben Roethlisberger (5,129 passing yards at 36, in 2018) and Carson Palmer (4,671 passing yards at 35, in 2015).
Rushing yards
Early peaks among the biggest names: Edgerrin James (1,690 rushing yards at 22, in 2000), Clinton Portis (1,591 rushing yards at 22, in 2003) and Jonathan Stewart (1,133 rushing yards at 22, in 2009). The latest: Thomas Jones (1,402 rushing yards at 31, in 2009), LeGarrette Blount (1,161 rushing yards at 29, in 2016) and Shaun Alexander (1,880 rushing yards at 28, in 2005).
Receiving yards
Early peaks among the biggest names: Rob Gronkowski (1,327 receiving yards at 22, in 2011), Jeremy Shockey (894 receiving yards at 22, in 2002) and Dez Bryant (1,371 receiving yards at 23, in 2012). The latest: Benjamin Watson (825 receiving yards at 34, in 2015), Julian Edelman (1,117 receiving yards at 33, in 2019) and Andre Johnson (1,598 receiving yards at 31, in 2012).
Hockey
Hockey's goal scorers peak young, when they're fastest; playmaking, which depends on reading the game, peaks a little later.
| Stat | Typical peak age | Typical peak season |
|---|---|---|
| goals per game | 25 | 6 |
| assists per game | 27 | 8 |
| points per game | 26 | 7 |
- Age 191
- Age 204
- Age 2115
- Age 2216
- Age 2320
- Age 2420
- Age 2523
- Age 2623
- Age 2723
- Age 2812
- Age 2912
- Age 3012
- Age 316
- Age 321
- Age 331
- Age 344
- Age 352
- Age 361
- Age 391
Goals per game
Early peaks among the biggest names: Mark Messier (0.6 goals per game at 21, in 1981), Dino Ciccarelli (0.7 goals per game at 21, in 1981) and Joe Nieuwendyk (0.7 goals per game at 21, in 1987). The latest: Johnny Bucyk (0.7 goals per game at 35, in 1970), Joe Sakic (0.7 goals per game at 31, in 2000) and Joe Mullen (0.6 goals per game at 31, in 1988).
Assists per game
Early peaks among the biggest names: Denis Savard (1.1 assists per game at 21, in 1982), Mats Sundin (0.8 assists per game at 21, in 1992) and Joe Sakic (0.9 assists per game at 22, in 1991). The latest: Gordie Howe (0.8 assists per game at 40, in 1968), Alex Delvecchio (0.8 assists per game at 37, in 1968) and Nicklas Lidstrom (0.8 assists per game at 35, in 2005).
Points per game
Early peaks among the biggest names: Dale Hawerchuk (1.6 points per game at 21, in 1984), Mats Sundin (1.4 points per game at 21, in 1992) and Dino Ciccarelli (1.4 points per game at 21, in 1981). The latest: Alex Delvecchio (1.2 points per game at 37, in 1968), Johnny Bucyk (1.5 points per game at 35, in 1970) and Ray Bourque (1.3 points per game at 33, in 1993).
Soccer
Soccer's goal scorers peak in their late 20s, but the best keep scoring well into their 30s by changing how they play: fewer runs behind the defense, more time in the box.
| Stat | Typical peak age | Typical peak season |
|---|---|---|
| goals | 27 | 8 |
- Age 181
- Age 194
- Age 2010
- Age 2111
- Age 2215
- Age 2318
- Age 2415
- Age 2510
- Age 2613
- Age 2719
- Age 2820
- Age 2913
- Age 3016
- Age 319
- Age 3210
- Age 334
- Age 346
- Age 352
- Age 361
- Age 382
Goals
Early peaks among the biggest names: Johan Cruyff (41 goals at 19, in 1966), Michel Platini (30 goals at 19, in 1974) and Giuseppe Meazza (38 goals at 19, in 1929). The latest: Manfred Burgsmüller (30 goals at 35, in 1984), Zlatan Ibrahimović (50 goals at 34, in 2015) and Romário (35 goals at 33, in 1999).
How we counted
For each stat, we took finished careers of at least eight seasons (six in football), kept the 200 biggest by career total, and found each player’s best season and his age in it: on June 30 in baseball, on September 1 in football, and mid-season in the others. Per-game stats are the season’s average. Players with no birth date on record are left out of the ages, and so is an impossible one (a source error).
About the data
- Baseball: season stats from the Lahman Baseball Database, for careers that ended by 2018, so every one is complete.
- Basketball: season averages summed from regular-season box scores, for careers that began in 1979-80 or later (earlier box scores in this dataset are incomplete) and ended by 2022. A season counts once he played 25 games.
- Football: season totals summed from nflverse's game-by-game stats, for careers that began in 1999 or later (the stats start in 1999) and ended by 2021. They can differ from the official totals by a few yards.
- Hockey: the NHL's own season stats, back to 1917-18, for careers that ended by 2022. A season counts once he played 40 games.
- Soccer: Transfermarkt's season-by-season records, club competitions only (national-team games run by calendar year, so they're left out), for careers that ended by 2023. Birth dates from Wikidata.
A season cut short by a strike, a lockout or the pandemic is rarely anyone’s best in a total, which nudges those peaks to the seasons around it.
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