LOS ANGELES — Art Schallock has the easy laugh of someone as delighted with his current circumstances as he is with his memories.

"I'm still alive and I'm healthy," he said, prefacing the words with a chuckle.

Schallock, the oldest living former Major League Baseball player, certainly has had the last laugh. He celebrated his 100th birthday with a party Thursday at Cogir on Napa Road, the Sonoma assisted-living facility he calls home.

The Dodgers, who signed Schallock in 1946, sent him a gift jersey: No. 100, of course. A representative from the New York Yankees — who won three World Series with Schallock on the roster — made a surprise visit and gave him a jersey signed by the 2024 team.

The party, festooned with Schallock's substantial memorabilia collection, was open to the public and drew a large crowd. Sonoma being Sonoma, wineries set up booths and ballpark food — hot dogs, peanuts and popcorn — was gratis. The mayor said a few words. Folks lined up to shake Schallock's hand. He signed baseballs, books and photos, engaging in conversation and laughing amiably while sipping first a glass of wine, then a beer.

Former MLB manager and player Dusty Baker, a longtime Northern California resident, dropped by to congratulate Schallock, whose memories remain as clear as a summer evening playing under the lights at Yankee Stadium, which he did from 1951 to 1955. In fact, his favorite memory is of stepping into the Bronx cathedral of baseball, "The House That Ruth Built," for the first time.

"I was thrilled just to walk into Yankee Stadium," he said during an interview with The Los Angeles Times. "I got to play with Joe DiMaggio, Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle. It was a pleasure watching those guys play. They were top baseball players, just tops. I was in awe."

Nearly five years after signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers, the left-handed pitcher was traded to the Yankees in 1951, where he played under legendary manager Casey Stengel, roomed with Hall of Fame catcher Berra, and learned his craft under steady veteran hurler Allie Reynolds.

"Yogi taught me how to pitch to major league hitters," Schallock said. "He knew all the hitters, their strengths and weaknesses."

Schallock couldn't recall whether Berra broke out any of his famous Yogi-isms such as, "It ain't over til it's over," or "When you get to a fork in the road, take it." But he vividly remembered fetching Berra's favorite reading material — comic books.

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