Art Schult – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Art Schult’s baseball journey feels like the story of a true journeyman—someone who fought his way from Brooklyn sandlots to the big leagues in the 1950s. Born Arthur William “Dutch” Schult in 1928, he chased his baseball dreams for over a decade, bouncing through several organizations and minor league teams.

Schult played five seasons in Major League Baseball between 1953 and 1960. He appeared in 164 games as an outfielder and first baseman for the New York Yankees, Cincinnati Redlegs, Washington Senators, and Chicago Cubs. His .264 career batting average, with six home runs and 56 RBIs, really shows what a lot of players face: making it to the majors but struggling to lock down a regular spot at the top level. Here’s a look at that reality.

What makes Schult’s story stand out? External factors really shaped his career. His military service during the Korean War interrupted his growth at a key moment. But he stuck with it, grinding through ten minor league seasons—proof of the determination it takes to even get a shot at the majors. From his days at Georgetown University to his last season with the Cubs, Schult’s path shows both the opportunities and the roadblocks that defined baseball after World War II.

Early Life and Path to Professional Baseball

Art Schult started his baseball journey in Brooklyn, New York, where he was born on June 20, 1928. He played high school baseball in White Plains, then moved on to college ball at Georgetown University before stepping into the professional world.

Family Background and Childhood in Brooklyn

Arthur William “Dutch” Schult arrived in Brooklyn on June 20, 1928. Growing up in one of New York’s most iconic boroughs, he soaked up the rich baseball culture of the era.

Brooklyn had the Dodgers back then, playing at Ebbets Field. For a young fan like Schult, that meant easy access to big-time baseball. It’s hard to imagine that didn’t spark his love for the game.

His family moved to White Plains, New York, later on. Schult went to high school there, and the nickname “Dutch” stuck with him for the rest of his career.

High School Achievements and Early Baseball Experiences

Schult attended White Plains High School. He developed as both an outfielder and a first baseman, sticking with those positions all the way through his pro career.

Physically, he stood out. At 6’4″ and 220 pounds, Schult had the kind of size scouts wanted. He batted and threw right-handed, which was pretty standard for his time.

Baseball in the New York area during the 1940s was tough and competitive. High school programs were strong, and a lot of players went on to college or even pro opportunities.

College at Georgetown and Northern Summer League

After high school, Schult headed to Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Georgetown gave him a shot at both academics and higher-level baseball.

College baseball in the late 1940s was a big step up from high school. Scouts showed up often, looking for future pros.

Schult probably played summer baseball during college, as most players did to get more experience. Those leagues helped bridge the gap between amateur and pro ball, letting guys face tougher competition while staying eligible for college.

His Georgetown years set him up for the pros. He eventually signed with the New York Yankees organization in the early 1950s.

Military Service and Impact on Baseball Career

Art Schult’s baseball career hit a big pause when he entered military service during the Korean War. That two-year absence really impacted his development, and he faced a tough adjustment when he came back.

Korean War and Military Enlistment

Schult got drafted during the Korean War, like so many young athletes in the early 1950s. The conflict left a big hole in his baseball development during what should’ve been key years.

He had started moving up in the Yankees’ minor league system after signing out of Georgetown in 1948.

Those two full seasons away from baseball took up a big chunk of his prime. While he served, other players his age kept playing and getting better.

He lost a lot of valuable playing time and chances to develop. Catching up after missing those years turned out to be a real challenge when he finally returned to the game.

Returning to Baseball after Service

Schult came back to baseball in 1953, joining the Syracuse Chiefs in the International League. Right away, it was clear that his time away had affected his play.

He struggled to get back in the groove that first season. The long break messed with his timing and conditioning, and his performance wasn’t quite there.

But over the next few years, he started to improve. He got his average back up and even developed some power, which eventually got him opportunities in the majors.

Schult’s resilience stood out. It took several seasons to adjust, but he pushed through and earned call-ups to major league teams from 1953 to 1960.

Major League Baseball Career Highlights

Art Schult played in the majors for five seasons between 1953 and 1960, suiting up in 164 games for four different clubs. His best stretch came in 1957, when he played 98 games and hit four home runs with 39 RBIs. Here’s a deeper look at that season.

Debut with the New York Yankees

Schult made his big league debut on May 17, 1953, with the New York Yankees at age 24. The Yankees had signed him as an amateur free agent in 1948 after his high school days in White Plains.

He debuted against the St. Louis Browns. Schult played seven games for the Yankees that season, mostly as a pinch hitter. He didn’t get any official at-bats but managed to score three runs.

Schult spent most of his early professional career working through the Yankees’ minor league teams. With established stars already in place at first base and the outfield, he didn’t get much of a shot in New York.

Time with Cincinnati Redlegs

Schult joined the Cincinnati Redlegs in 1956, playing parts of two seasons there. In 1956, he got into just five games but made the most of it, hitting .429 over seven at-bats.

He picked up three hits and drove in two runs in that short time. It was a small sample, but he showed some promise for a 28-year-old still trying to break through.

He returned to Cincinnati for part of the 1957 season, appearing in 21 games before a trade. Schult hit .265 with nine hits in 34 at-bats that year. Playing both outfield and first base, he picked up valuable experience.

Performance with Washington Senators

The Washington Senators picked up Schult during the 1957 season, and he finally got regular playing time. He played 77 games for Washington, batting .263 with 65 hits in 247 at-bats.

That stretch was his best statistically. Schult hit four home runs and drove in 35 runs, mostly playing first base. He added 14 doubles and showed solid defensive skills at his spot.

Key 1957 Statistics with Washington:

• Games: 77
• Batting Average: .263
• Home Runs: 4
• RBIs: 35
• Doubles: 14

When given steady playing time, Schult showed he could contribute as a regular.

Final Years with Chicago Cubs

Schult wrapped up his major league career with the Chicago Cubs, playing in 1959 and 1960. In 1959, he got into 42 games, hit .271, and added two home runs with 14 RBIs.

That 1959 season was a bit of a comeback for Schult after missing all of 1958. He played all over—first base, outfield, pinch hitter. His versatility gave the Cubs a useful bench option.

His last season, 1960, was short. He played just 12 games and hit .133. Schult’s final big league game came on May 27, 1960, closing out a five-year MLB career.

He retired with a .264 batting average, six home runs, and 56 RBIs in 164 games across four teams.

Statistical Overview and On-Field Performance

Art Schult ended up with a .264 batting average over 164 games in five seasons from 1953 to 1960. His best year was 1957, when he played 98 games, notched 74 hits, and drove in 39 runs while splitting time between Cincinnati and Washington.

Batting Average and Hitting Records

Schult carried a solid .264 career batting average through his five years in the majors. His best single-season average came in 1956 with Cincinnati, where he hit .429, though it was only over five games.

In 1957, his only full year, he hit .263 across 98 games. That season, he batted .265 in 21 games with Cincinnati and .263 in 77 games for Washington.

During his last two years with Chicago, his numbers dipped. He hit .271 in 42 games in 1959, but only .133 in 12 games during 1960.

Schult finished with 111 career hits in 421 at-bats. His on-base percentage was .306, and he slugged .363—not huge power, but he made contact.

Home Runs and Power Metrics

Schult hit six home runs in the majors, four of them coming during his busiest year, 1957. He added two more in 1959 with Chicago, but didn’t homer in his other three seasons.

His .363 slugging percentage points to modest power. Over his career, he racked up 153 total bases, averaging about 0.36 home runs per 100 at-bats.

That 1957 season was his peak for power. Playing for two teams, he drove in 39 runs with a .363 slugging percentage in 98 games.

His power numbers fit right in with utility players of that era. Schult grounded into 15 double plays, so he made contact but didn’t have the speed to beat out many throws.

Hits, Doubles, and Run Production

Schult collected 24 doubles among his 111 hits, showing he had some gap power. He never hit a triple in the majors—not surprising, since he wasn’t known for speed.

He drove in 56 career RBIs, with most coming in 1957 and 1959. That 1957 season, he knocked in 39 runs, and in 1959 with Chicago, he added 14 more.

Schult crossed the plate 58 times in his MLB career. His best year for runs scored was 1957, when he tallied 34 while playing regularly for two teams.

He drew 23 walks and struck out 50 times, which isn’t bad for plate discipline. Getting on base helped him contribute, even without big power numbers.

War, OPS, and Advanced Statistics

Schult’s WAR (Wins Above Replacement) came out to -0.2 for his career, so he sat just below average overall. His best season by WAR was 1956, with a 0.1 mark in limited action.

He finished with a career OPS of .669—not flashy, but respectable for a contact hitter. In 1956 with Cincinnati, he posted his highest OPS at .929, though that was only over eight plate appearances.

His OPS+ was 82, meaning he performed 18% below league average offensively. His best full-season OPS+ was 88 in 1959 with Chicago.

The advanced stats show Schult as a replacement-level player—depth, not star power. Even in his busiest year, 1957, his -0.2 WAR highlighted his limitations when given extended playing time.

Minor League Journey and Pacific Coast League Success

Art Schult spent ten seasons sharpening his skills in minor league baseball. Over his career, he hit 136 home runs.

His best stretch happened in the Pacific Coast League. Schult batted .300 with the Seattle Rainiers in 1955, which was a real standout year for him.

Minor League Tenure and Development

Schult played in the minors from 1948 all the way through 1960. He put up a .280 batting average in 1,250 games, which isn’t too shabby.

The Korean War interrupted his career, and he missed two full seasons for military service. That break came at a tough time for his development.

When Schult got back in 1953, he joined the Syracuse Chiefs in the International League. At first, he struggled—his timing seemed off, and his performance dipped.

But over the next few years, Schult found his groove again. He started hitting for average and developed some real power at the plate.

That improvement opened doors for him in the majors. The minor league system gave Schult a chance to play regularly and work on his game.

He covered both outfield and first base, adding some versatility to his resume.

Notable Seasons with the Pacific Coast League

Schult’s 1955 season with the Seattle Rainiers really stands out. He hit .300, which marked one of his best years statistically.

The Pacific Coast League had a reputation as one of the top minor leagues back then. If you did well there, big league teams definitely noticed.

After the New York Yankees sold him in 1954, Schult landed with Seattle before the 1955 season. The Yankees had brought him up through their system but decided to move him along.

His strong year with the Rainiers put him on the radar as a major league prospect. Teams liked that he could hit for both average and power, which isn’t something you see every day.

Playing in the Pacific Coast League challenged Schult against tough competition. That experience helped him get ready for his later chances in the majors.

Retirement, Legacy, and Life after Baseball

Art Schult wrapped up his major league career with the Chicago Cubs in 1960. After that, he moved into his family’s fabric business, and then tried his hand at entrepreneurship.

His baseball journey meant a lot to his family. The impact stretched across three generations, which is pretty special.

Retirement in 1960 and Transition

Schult retired from baseball at the end of the 1960 season. His final major league line: .264 batting average, six home runs, and 56 RBIs in 164 games with four teams.

Leaving professional baseball wasn’t easy, but he found purpose right away. Schult took over his father’s fabric business while his dad battled cancer, showing real dedication to his family.

After losing his father, Schult decided to leave the fabric trade. He started a uniform rental business in Connecticut and ran it successfully for years. That move showed he could handle business outside of baseball, too.

When his wife passed away in 1984, Schult moved down to South Florida. Later, he settled in Ocala, Florida, in the mid-2000s.

He stayed there until his death on July 25, 2014, at age 86.

Lasting Influence and Recognition

Schult’s baseball legacy really stuck with his family. His son Jim tried to follow in his footsteps after the Detroit Tigers picked him in the 33rd round of the 1981 draft.

Jim started out strong, hitting .326 in his first professional season. Unfortunately, a broken hand cut his career short.

The baseball tradition didn’t stop there. Schult’s grandson, also named Jim, grabbed the spotlight as the 2011 Division III Co-Player of the Year at Eastern Connecticut State.

He went on to play three years with different independent minor league teams. Not bad for keeping the family name in the game, right?

Jim Schult found more recognition in college. Mercy College inducted him into its inaugural Hall of Fame class in 2006 after he posted a wild .470 batting average during his college days.

Schult played during a time when there were just 16 major league teams. He worked his way through several organizations, and his perseverance really inspired the next generations.

His journey took him from the New York Yankees to Cincinnati, Washington, and Chicago, showing just how much determination it takes to make it in professional baseball.