Art Schallock (1924–2025), oldest living ex-MLBer

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Art Schallock was a pitcher for the New York Yankees who, from 2022 until his death, was the oldest living ex-Major League Baseball player. 

• Died: March 5, 2025 (Who else died on March 5?) 
• Details of death: Died in Sonoma, California at the age of 100. 
• We invite you to share condolences for Art Schallock in our Guest Book. 

Art Schallock’s legacy 

Schallock was a pitcher surrounded by some of the biggest names in baseball history, such as Mickey Mantle (1931–1995), Whitey Ford (1928–2020), and Yogi Berra (1925–2015). The left-hander still managed to carve out his own place in baseball history, first by winning a World Series ring with the New York Yankees in 1953, then by living long enough to become the oldest living former Major League Baseball player. 

Before he became a baseball veteran, Schallock was a veteran of a different kind. Drafted in 1943, he served in the United States Navy during World War II, participated in the Battle of Makin, and by the time he was discharged in 1946, earned 11 battle stars. 

Schallock started in minor league ball upon his return to civilian life, playing for several organizations before being traded to the Yankees in 1951. When a rookie by the name of Mantle was sent down to the minor leagues, Schallock took his place on the roster and ended up rooming with Berra. 

In his five years in the league, Schallock appeared in 58 games, pitching 170 innings and garnering a 4.02 ERA, and most notably, pitched two innings in Game Four of the 1953 World Series. He played part of his final year with the Baltimore Orioles, retiring in 1955. 

He and his wife, Dona Bernard, were married for 76 years. She passed on his 99^th birthday in 2023 at the age of 97. 

Notable quote 

“Those players who cheated by using steroids, I hope they never get into the Hall of Fame. If Ted Williams or Mickey Mantle had used those drugs, they would have hit 1,000 home runs each, so the steroid users should have their records thrown away forever.” — interview with This Great Game 

Tributes to Art Schallock 

The Yankees mourn the passing of former Yankees pitcher Art Schallock and extend our deepest condolences to Art’s family, friends, and loved ones. Art, who won 3 World Series rings with the Yankees from 1951 to 1953, turned 100 this past April and had been MLB’s oldest living former player.

— New York Yankees (@ny-yankees.bsky.social) 2025-03-09T14:47:56.710Z

The Hall of Fame remembers Art Schallock, who passed away Wednesday at the age of 100.Schallock, who pitched for three teams that won World Series titles, was the oldest living major league player.

— National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum (@baseballhall.org) 2025-03-10T00:30:25.643Z

Full obituary: The New York Times 

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