Oldest Living Baseball Player Lives In Region: Phun Philly Phact

PHILADELPHIA, PA — As the new Major League Baseball season begins this week, the oldest surviving player may be watching or listening in the Philadelphia region.

Bobby Shantz is the last surviving player from the Philadelphia Athletics and the last living player to have played under legendary manager Connie Mack. He is also the last surviving MLB player who debuted in the 1940s and the oldest living former Most Valuable Player in Major League Baseball.

Shantz, who hit his 100th birthday last September, lives in Ambler.

The pitcher played in the major leagues from 1949 to 1964.

He won the 1952 American League Most Valuable Player Award as a member of the Philadelphia Athletics.

A three-time All-Star, Shantz won eight consecutive Gold Glove Awards and won a World Series championship with the 1958 New York Yankees.

He also played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Houston Colt .45s, the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, and the Philadelphia Phillies.