SONOMA, Calif. — Art Schallock, the oldest living former Major League Baseball player and a World War II veteran, has died. He was 100.

Schallock’s death was announced by Cogir of Sonoma Plaza, the senior living community in Sonoma, California, where he had resided since late 2023, according to MLB.com.

A 5-foot-9 lefty pitcher, Schallock played five seasons in MLB for the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles from 1951-55. He won three consecutive World Series titles with the Yankees from 1951-53, playing alongside baseball legends including Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio, Yogi Berra and more.

“A beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, Art lived a remarkable life, from serving his country in World War II to achieving his dream of playing Major League Baseball,” Schallock’s family said in a statement. “As a pitcher for the New York Yankees, he was part of a historic era in the sport, contributing to multiple World Series championships.

“Beyond baseball, Art was known for his kindness, humor, and deep appreciation for the people around him. He lived a life filled with cherished friendships, family, and a passion for the sport that defined much of his journey. While we mourn his loss, we also celebrate the memories and legacy he leaves behind. We are grateful for the love and support he has always received from the many communities he was a part of,” the family added.

Schallockk celebrated his 100th birthday on April 25, 2024. He inherited the title of oldest living MLB player in July 2022 when former St. Louis Browns outfielder George Elder died at age 101.

“Hard to believe I’m hitting 100, but looking back on my life, I’m grateful for the experiences I’ve had,” he said on his 100th birthday last year.

A native of Mill Valley, Calif., Schallock graduated from Tamalpais High School in 1942. Two weeks later, his baseball career was put on pause as he was drafted into the Navy to serve in World War II. He spent three years as a radio operator on the USS Coral Sea, an aircraft carrier deployed in the Pacific Ocean, including Iwo Jima and Okinawa, Japan.

“I was two weeks out of high school when they drafted me,” Schallock told SABR biographer Bill Nowlin. “I went in the Navy and I didn’t see a baseball for three years.”

Schallock was discharged from the Navy in 1946 and later that year signed with MLB’s Brooklyn Dodgers. He went to Dodgers spring training in Havana, Cuba, in 1947, playing alongside future Hall of Famers Jackie Robinson and Roy Campanella.

After a few years starring for the Dodgers’ minor league affiliates, Schallock was traded to the Yankees in 1951. He was promoted to the Yankees’ roster on July 12 and, in a corresponding move, the team demoted Mantle, who was then a rookie. Schallock became roommates with Berra, whom he credits with teaching him the game of baseball.

“It was a great experience, because Yogi knew all of the batters in the American League at that time,” Schallock said, according to MLB.com. “He knew how to pitch to them and what their weaknesses were. Yogi never wrote anything down; it was all up there in his head. He knew his stuff and I learned a lot from him. People used to joke about Yogi being not that smart, but he was sharp as a tack and a wonderful guy.”

After four-plus seasons with the Yankees, Schallock was placed on waivers in April 1955 and was signed by the Orioles. He pitched in 30 games for the O’s, including six starts, during the 1955 season, his final in MLB.

Schallock finished his five-year MLB career with a 6-7 record and 4.02 ERA in 58 games pitched, including 14 starts.

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