Art Schallock, a little-known New York Yankees left-hander who treasured his late-life fame as the oldest living former major-league ballplayer, died Thursday at age 100.
Schallock pitched a few dozen games for the Yankees from 1951-54, long enough to leave him with charming and oft-told tales of friends like Yogi Berra and Mickey Mantle. Schallock spent his final years at a senior living facility in Sonoma, Calif., where he delighted listeners by spinning yarns about facing Ted Williams or pitching in Game 4 against the Brooklyn Dodgers as the Yankees went on to win the 1953 World Series.
“I thought I had two strikes against me because of my size,’’ Schallock, who played at 5-foot-9 and 155 pounds, told The Athletic as he approached his 100th birthday last April. “But I made it. I mean, you can’t get any higher than the Yankees, world’s No. 1 team.”
With Schallock’s passing, Bill Greason, 100 years and 186 days old as of Saturday, becomes the oldest living former major-league player. Bobby Shantz (99 years, 163 days) is No. 2 on the list.
Checking out a commemorative 1953 Yankees bat with the oldest living former major leaguer. Art Schallock turns 100 (!!!) on April 25 and has some fun here remembering teammate Eddie Lopat. pic.twitter.com/2MDa8ZqAyU
— Daniel Brown (@BrownieAthletic) April 19, 2024
Schallock’s family released a statement Saturday saluting his remarkable life:
“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.”
Schallock threw three complete games during a career in which he amassed a record of 6-7 with a 4.02 ERA. He spent much of his 58 career big-league games associating with baseball’s most legendary names. Consider that when Schallock got called up from the minors for his major-league debut on July 16, 1951, the Yankees made room on the roster by sending down a disappointing rookie named Mickey Mantle.
Mantle exacted his playful revenge in 1955, when Schallock was with the Orioles, by hitting a mammoth home run against him. The Mick smiled his way around the bases. “Jeez, he could hit that ball,” Schallock recalled.
Schallock’s first roommate on the road was Berra. In that arrangement, the veteran catcher shared his wisdom about attacking American League hitters while Schallock repaid him by doing a daily chore.
“The first thing in the morning, I had to run down to the lobby to get funny papers for him,’’ Schallock said. “Hell, I didn’t know a thing about comic books, but he’d say, ‘Go down and pick up a half-a-dozen comic books.’”
Schallock’s biggest claim to fame came many decades after his playing career. He took over the distinction of oldest living ex-MLB ballplayer when the aptly named George Elder died on July 7, 2022, at the age of 101.
As Schallock approached the century mark last spring, he found himself in national headlines, with profiles of his life and times in The Athletic, MLB.com, The Associated Press and the “CBS Evening News.”
Attendees at his birthday held at his senior living community included Dusty Baker, the future Hall of Fame manager. Baker had never met Schallock but came to pay tribute to a bit of walking baseball history.
“The interaction between Artie and Dusty was truly phenomenal,’’ said Wendy Cornejo, the executive director at Cogir on Napa Road. “Witnessing two legends shake hands, look each other in the eye, smile, and exchange congratulatory wishes was incredibly inspiring.”
Today, Yankees players and Manager Aaron Boone had the opportunity to meet with former Yankees pitcher Art Schallock!
Art, who celebrated his 100th birthday this past April, is the oldest living @MLB player 💙 pic.twitter.com/Mx1AkyHA72
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) June 2, 2024
Not long after that celebration, the Yankees invited him to be their guest when the team visited San Francisco for a series at Oracle Park. Anthony Rizzo sat down in the dugout and spoke with the centenarian for several minutes. Manager Aaron Boone engaged in a spirited conversation with Schallock about batting practice and fielding drills.
Before that game, Schallock had not been to an MLB stadium since the early 1980s.
Arthur “Art” Schallock was born in San Francisco on April 25, 1924, and raised about 15 miles north, in the Marin County city of Mill Valley. His promising early baseball career took a back seat in 1943 when he was taken into the Navy and served as a radio operator on the USS Coral Sea during World War II.
Schallock was discharged in 1946, having received 11 battle stars. Not long after returning home, he went on a blind date with a woman named Dona Bernard. They were married for 76 years until Dona’s passing in 2023 at age 97.
She died on Art’s 99th birthday. They had two children and five grandchildren.
“They were amazing together. A true life-long love right there,’’ Zach Pascoe, one of the grandchildren, wrote in an email last year. “They were best friends. They truly enjoyed being in each other’s company, and as partners, they were even stronger. They complemented each other perfectly. They knew when to give each other space and when to be right there for each other.”
Schallock spent his final years at Cogir of Sonoma Plaza, where he relished his status as a celebrity. The senior living community released a statement Saturday, saying Schallock “was not just a resident but a friend, mentor, and storyteller who enriched our community with his wisdom and warmth. Whether sharing memories from his time on the baseball field or enjoying everyday moments with his fellow residents, Art had a way of making everyone feel valued and appreciated.”
Schallock is survived by two children and five grandchildren.
(Photo courtesy of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum)
