Art Schallock, the oldest living former MLB player, celebrated his 100th birthday on April 25, 2024. Born in [year], Schallock was a left-handed pitcher who played for both the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles during his time in Major League Baseball (MLB) back in the 1950s. He spent five years with the league, playing a total of 58 games between these two teams. Schallock reflected fondly on this period in his life, stating that “those were some great times.”
Schallock’s career in baseball began after he enlisted in the U.S Navy during World War II in 1942. After completing service to his country, he went to junior college and continued playing as a pitcher for two years before joining the Brooklyn Dodgers organization. Schallock trained with their Triple-A Montreal Royals affiliate until being called up by the New York Yankees in 1951 at just 19 years old, filling Mickey Mantle’s roster spot as he did so.
Schallock spent most of his time playing for the New York Yankees during his professional baseball career. He shared that “that was quite a thrill, quite a thrill playing with those guys” and also recounted rooming with legendary catcher Yogi Berra when he first joined the team. Schallock explained how Berra taught him strategies to beat certain players in Major League Baseball because “[y]o[g]gi knew all the hitters, [h]ow to pitch to them… And I had to learn from him.”
During his time with the Yankees between 1951 and 1954, Schallock appeared in a total of 28 games (eight starts). In 1955 he moved on to play for the Baltimore Orioles. During his MLB career, Schallock won three World Series titles with the New York Yankees between 1951 and 1953; during Game Four of the latter series in which he played a role as pitcher.
Art Schallock now holds the title of oldest living former Major League Baseball player following the passing, at age 101 years old, of George Elder last year (2022). Wendy Cornejo, executive director of the senior living community where Schallock resides today, stated that “Art loves to reminisce about his time with the Yankees and other teams.” She further explained how he becomes animated when discussing baseball. The organization is planning a fitting celebration for Schallock’s 100th birthday in honor of both his long life and exciting accomplishments as an athlete.
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