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Oldest Former Major League Baseball Player Dies At 100 In Greenwich

GREENWICH, Conn. -- Former Major League Baseball player Mike Sandlock died in Greenwich on Monday night, according to the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was 100.

Greenwich native Mike Sandlock was the oldest-living former Major Leaguer.

Greenwich native Mike Sandlock was the oldest-living former Major Leaguer.

Photo Credit: David Esposito

Introduction of 99 year old Mike Sandlock, Oldest former Major League Baseball player at 54th Annual Greenwich Old Timers Sports Banquet - Hyatt Regency - November 14, 2014.

Photo Credit: Mike Sandlock

Prior to his death, Sandlock was the oldest living major league baseball player. 

Sandlock, who is only one of five men from Greenwich to make it to the big leagues, played with the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1944 to 1946. 

The utility player also played a small role in American History in 1947 during spring training as Jackie Robinson prepared to break the color barrier in baseball. 

"It was spring training in 1947 and [Dodgers owner Branch] Rickey called me into his office and told me, 'I've got Jackie Robinson coming here to spring training,' " Sandlock told Daily Voice in 2010. "And Mr. Rickey says, 'Would you play pepper with Jackie?' And I said, 'Why not?' I had no problem with Jackie, but there was a big rhubarb about him coming up."

It wasn't the only brush with a baseball icon Sandlock had. He was roommates with Warren Spahn in AAA. The two were called up together. Dodger superstar Roy Campanella said Sandlock helped Spahn correct a flaw in his delivery. 

Spahn went on to record the most career wins by a left handed pitcher in MLB history. 

Sandlock's best season came in 1945, when he batted .282 with the only two home runs of his career and 17 RBIs. He also spent time playing with the Boston Braves and the Pittsburgh Pirates. 

Sandlock and Robinson crossed paths again later in life on the golf course. Sandlock had returned to Greenwich in retirement and Robinson had taken up residence in Stamford. 

"I tell you, he was quite an athlete," Sandlock said. "He was good in everything he participated in. He had all the fundamentals and the movements. He was a great, great human being to me."

Sandlock lived in the same section of Cos Cob his entire life. 

Funeral arrangements were incomplete.

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