"Married in 1970, they both loved books."

[herfjj]

1. Tall and strongly built, he became an athlete.

2. Married in 1970, they both loved books.

In 1, there is an obvious logical connection between being tall and strongly built and becoming an athlete.

In 2, there is no similar connection. A love of books does not follow from being married. I keep seeing these constructs, often in descriptions of people or objects, and it seems wrong to me or at least confusing.

Is it wrong? Am I wrong? And why?

[Raymott]

1. Tall and strongly built, he became an athlete.

2. Married in 1970, they both loved books.

In 1, there is an obvious logical connection between being tall and strongly built and becoming an athlete.

In 2, there is no similar connection. A love of books does not follow from being married. I keep seeing these constructs, often in descriptions of people or objects, and it seems wrong to me or at least confusing.

Is it wrong? Am I wrong? And why?

No, you're not wrong. But the logical link doesn't have to be in the same sentence. 2 sounds odd out of context.