Art Schallock, a distinguished left-handed pitcher who once filled the roster spot of future Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle with the New York Yankees, has passed away at the age of 100. This milestone was celebrated with a grand birthday party when he reached a century of life last spring. His assisted living community announced his peaceful passing in Sonoma, California, and corroborated the news with his family.
“In the tender care of his community, Art departed this life at 100, nearing 101 this coming April,” shared his family. “A cherished father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, Art led a remarkable journey from serving valiantly in World War II to fulfilling his dream of joining Major League Baseball. As a pitcher with the Yankees, he was part of numerous World Series victories during a golden era of baseball. Off the field, Art left an indelible mark with his kindness, humor, and an endearing gratitude towards those around him. His vibrant life was filled with cherished relationships, a loving family, and an unwavering love for the game that shaped much of his existence.”
Art Schallock made his major league debut in 1951, seizing the opportunity when Mickey Mantle was temporarily sent to Triple-A. He found camaraderie with Yogi Berra, with whom he shared a room, fetching Berra’s favorite comics each morning. Born and raised in the Bay Area, Schallock graduated from Tamalpais High and attended College of Marin before stepping onto the major league stage on July 16, 1951, as the 10,823rd player to do so. That initial game saw him pitch for the Yankees in Detroit, and his first win came a month afterward in Washington.
Schallock’s tenure with the Yankees from 1951 to 1953 brought him three World Series rings, notably pitching in the 1953 Series against Jackie Robinson in Game 4. “Playing alongside legends was an incredible thrill,” he once recounted. “Rooming with Yogi Berra was educational; he had an astute understanding of the hitters, mentoring me in how to strategize against them while I fetched his daily reading material.”
During World War II, Schallock served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific, having enlisted in 1942. He narrowly avoided disaster when the USS Liscome Bay was tragically sunk by a Japanese torpedo in late 1943, claiming 644 lives. Looking back, Schallock once reflected on his career, saying, “Returning to high-level baseball post-war wasn’t something I foresaw, but I’ve always been passionate about the sport. In the years following, the Bay Area was a hotbed for baseball, with every town hosting a team.”
Throughout a five-year major league career, predominantly with the Yankees before closing with the Baltimore team in 1955, Schallock recorded a 6-7 win-loss record and maintained a 4.02 ERA over 58 games. During these matches, which included 14 starts and 170 1/3 innings pitched, he struck out 77 batters. Born April 25, 1924, in Mill Valley near San Francisco, Schallock did not set the record for baseball’s longest lifespan. That title is held by Negro Leagues pitcher Si Simmons, who lived to 111, and Red Hoff, a former Yankees pitcher, who reached 107.
His passing has impacted his community deeply, as expressed by a statement from Cogir of Sonoma Plaza: “We mourn the loss of our cherished resident, Arthur ‘Art’ Schallock, who left us on March 6, 2025. At the age of 100, Art’s presence brought warmth, humor, and an inspiring life story to our community, leaving a lasting impression on everyone privileged to have known him.”
