Eddie Carnett, who held the title of the oldest living former Major League Baseball player, died at the age of 100 on Friday, just two weeks after he reached the century mark.
The Seattle Mariners announced that Carnett, who was also known by the nickname "Lefty," died surrounded by his family in Ringling, Okla. Though Carnett never played for the Mariners, he did spend three years years with the Triple-A Seattle Rainiers and threw out a ceremonial first pitch at Safeco Field at age 95.
Born in Springfield, Mo., Carnett spent parts of the 1941, '44, and '45 seasons in the majors with the Boston Braves, Chicago White Sox, and Cleveland Indians. Primarily a left fielder during his three-year big-league career, Carnett's best season came in 1944 with the White Sox when he hit .276/.322/.357 with one homer and five stolen bases over 126 games. His big-league career ended when he was drafted into the military early in the 1945 season.
The remainder of his 21-year professional career was spent in the minor leagues, where he was both an outfielder and pitcher. On the mound he was known for his slider, and he reportedly taught the pitch to Hall of Famer Bob Feller, according to his Society for American Baseball Research biography.
Carnett assumed the title of oldest living major leaguer this past April. On Oct. 21 he celebrated his 100th birthday and was feted across baseball on his special day.
With Carnett's death, Hall of Fame second baseman Bobby Doerr assumes the title of oldest living former major leaguer at 98 years, 211 days.
