He continued his career in the National Association and the early years of Major League Baseball.

It is possible Pearce was one of the first baseball players to earn money for playing the game professionally.

[2] Pearce played professionally for 22 years, spanning the generation from the game's beginnings to the National League.

In the June 30, 1868 edition of the St. Louis Times, the paper said of him: "Pearce has been noted as a superior shortstop for ten years and to-day has no equal in the base ball field.

He bats with great judgment and safety..." After retiring from playing, Pearce umpired into the mid-1880s.