Art Schallock, Oldest Living MLB Player, Celebrates 100th Birthday

Art Schallock, the oldest living former MLB player, celebrated his 100th birthday on April 25, 2024. The left-handed pitcher played for the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles during his five-year MLB career in the 1950s.

Art Schallock, the oldest living former MLB player, celebrated his 100th birthday on April 25, 2024. The left-handed pitcher played 58 games with the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles over his MLB career in the 1950s.

Schallock spent five years in the league, appearing in 28 games with the Yankees from 1951 to 1954, including eight starts. He also pitched in 30 games for the Orioles in 1955.

During his time in the MLB, Schallock won three World Series championships with the Yankees from 1951 to 1953. He even pitched in Game 4 of the 1953 World Series.

"Those were some great times," Schallock said of his years with the league, per MLB.com. "Hard to believe I'm hitting 100, but looking back on my life, I'm grateful for the experiences I've had."

In addition to his baseball career, Schallock also served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After leaving the service, he went to junior college and pitched for a couple of years before playing semi-pro in San Francisco.

Schallock eventually signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers and trained with their Triple-A Montreal Royals affiliate before being called up by the New York Yankees in 1951.

"That was quite a thrill, quite a thrill playing with those guys," Schallock shared in a video call, per The Associated Press. "I roomed with Yogi Berra when I got up there, and he knew all the hitters. We went over all the hitters on each team. Besides that, I had to run down to the lobby and get his funny books. Every morning."

Schallock became the oldest living player after George Elder died in July 2022 at 101 years old.

"Art loves to reminisce about his time with the Yankees and the other teams," said Wendy Cornejo, executive director of the senior living community where Schallock lives, per MLB.com. "He lights up when he's talking about baseball. We hope to make his birthday a fitting celebration of his long life and exciting accomplishments."