Eddie Carnett, who was the oldest living former Major League Baseball player, has passed away at the age of 100, the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association confirmed on Friday.
Carnett, who was born on Oct. 21, 1916, in Springfield, Mo., had celebrated his 100th birthday a few weeks ago.
Carnett began his Major League career in 1941 with the Boston Braves (managed by Casey Stengel), and he made his MLB debut on April 19, pitching 1 1/3 innings against the Brooklyn Dodgers. He faced three Hall of Famers in his debut -- Joe Medwick, Pee Wee Reese and Paul Waner -- retiring Medwick and Waner. He also struck out the first batter he faced, Pete Reiser, who won the National League batting title that year.
Carnett then played for the White Sox in 1944 and the Indians in '45. In addition to pitching, he also played outfield and first base. His MLB career ended after he joined the U.S. Navy during World War II.
Over the course of his career, Carnett roomed with Hall of Famers Dizzy Dean, Warren Spahn and Phil Rizzuto, and he worked with Indians legend Bob Feller on throwing a slider.
The oldest living former Major League player is now Hall of Fame second baseman Bobby Doerr, 98, who was born on April 7, 1918, and played in the Majors from 1937-51.