Artwork Schallock, a little-known New York Yankees left-hander who treasured his late-in-life fame because the oldest dwelling former major-league ballplayer, died Wednesday at age 100.
Schallock pitched a number of dozen video games for the Yankees from 1951-54, lengthy sufficient to depart him with charming and oft-told tales of buddies like Yogi Berra and Mickey Mantle. Schallock spent his ultimate years at a senior dwelling facility in Sonoma, Calif., the place he delighted listeners by spinning yarns about going through Ted Williams or pitching in Recreation 4 towards the Brooklyn Dodgers because the Yankees went on to win the 1953 World Collection.
“I assumed I had two strikes towards me due to my dimension,’’ Schallock, who performed at 5-foot-9 and 155 kilos, advised The Athletic as he approached his a hundredth birthday final April. “However I made it. I imply, you possibly can’t get any larger than the Yankees — world’s No. 1 staff.”
With Schallock’s passing, Invoice Greason, 100 years and 186 days outdated as of Saturday, turns into the oldest dwelling former major-league participant. Bobby Shantz (99 years, 163 days) is No. 2 on the listing.
Trying out a commemorative 1953 Yankees bat with the oldest dwelling former main leaguer. Artwork Schallock turns 100 (!!!) on April 25 and has some enjoyable right here remembering teammate Eddie Lopat. pic.twitter.com/2MDa8ZqAyU
— Daniel Brown (@BrownieAthletic) April 19, 2024
Schallock’s household launched an announcement Saturday saluting his outstanding life:
“As a pitcher for the New York Yankees, he was a part of a historic period within the sport, contributing to a number of World Collection championships. Past baseball, Artwork was recognized for his kindness, humor, and deep appreciation for the individuals round him. He lived a life full of cherished friendships, household, and a ardour for the game that outlined a lot of his journey.
“Whereas we mourn his loss, we additionally have fun the reminiscences and legacy he leaves behind. We’re grateful for the love and assist he has at all times obtained from the various communities he was part of.”
Schallock threw three full video games throughout a profession by which he amassed a document of 6-7 with a 4.02 ERA. He spent a lot of his 58 profession big-league video games associating with baseball’s most legendary names. Take into account that when Schallock acquired known as 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 house run towards him. The Mick smiled his manner across the bases. “Jeez, he might hit that ball,” Schallock recalled.
Schallock’s first roommate on the highway was Berra. In that association, the veteran catcher shared his knowledge about attacking American League hitters whereas Schallock repaid him by doing a day by day chore.
“The very first thing within the morning, I needed to run all the way down to the foyer to get humorous papers for him,’’ Schallock mentioned. “Hell, I didn’t know a factor about comedian books, however he’d say, ‘Go down and choose up a half-a-dozen comedian books.’”
Schallock’s greatest declare to fame got here many many years after his taking part in profession. He took over the excellence of oldest dwelling ex-MLB ballplayer when the aptly named George Elder died on July 7, 2022, on the age of 101.
As Schallock approached the century mark final spring, he discovered himself in nationwide headlines, with profiles of his life and instances in The Athletic, MLB.com, the Related Press and the “CBS Night Information.”
Attendees at his celebration held at his senior dwelling neighborhood included Dusty Baker, the long run Corridor of Fame supervisor. Baker had by no means met Schallock however got here to pay tribute to a little bit of strolling baseball historical past.
“The interplay between Artie and Dusty was really phenomenal,’’ mentioned Wendy Cornejo, the manager director at Cogir on Napa Highway. “Witnessing two legends shake palms, look one another within the eye, smile, and alternate congratulatory needs was extremely inspiring.”
At this time, Yankees gamers and Supervisor Aaron Boone had the chance to satisfy with former Yankees pitcher Artwork Schallock!
Artwork, who celebrated his a hundredth birthday this previous April, is the oldest dwelling @MLB participant 💙 pic.twitter.com/Mx1AkyHA72
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) June 2, 2024
Not lengthy after that celebration, the Yankees invited him to be their visitor when the staff visited San Francisco for a sequence at Oracle Park. Anthony Rizzo sat down within the dugout and spoke with the centenarian for a number of minutes. Supervisor Aaron Boone engaged in a spirited dialog with Schallock about batting observe and fielding drills.
Earlier than that sport, Schallock had not been to an MLB stadium because the early Eighties.
Arthur “Artwork” Schallock was born in San Francisco on April 25, 1924, and raised about 15 miles north, within the Marin County metropolis of Mill Valley. His promising early baseball profession took a again seat in 1943 when he was taken into the Navy and served as a radio operator on the USS Coral Sea throughout World Struggle II.
Schallock was discharged in 1946, having obtained 11 battle stars. Not lengthy after returning house, he went on a blind date with a lady named Dona Bernard. They have been married for 76 years till Dona’s passing in 2023 at age 97.
She died on Artwork’s 99th birthday. They’d two kids and 5 grandchildren.
“They have been wonderful collectively. A real life-long love proper there,’’ Zach Pascoe, one of many grandchildren, wrote in an electronic mail final yr. “They have been greatest buddies. They really loved being in one another’s firm, and as companions, they have been even stronger. They complemented one another completely. They knew when to present one another area and when to be proper there for one another.”
Schallock spent his ultimate years at Cogir of Sonoma Plaza, the place he relished his standing as a celeb. The senior dwelling neighborhood launched an announcement Saturday, saying Schallock “was not only a resident however a buddy, mentor, and storyteller who enriched our neighborhood together with his knowledge and heat. Whether or not sharing reminiscences from his time on the baseball subject or having fun with on a regular basis moments together with his fellow residents, Artwork had a manner of creating everybody really feel valued and appreciated.”
(Photograph courtesy of the Nationwide Baseball Corridor of Fame and Museum)