His professional career began in 1935 in the St. Louis Cardinals' farm system, but he was unable to crack the Major Leagues until he was selected by the Cubs in the 1940 Rule 5 draft.

The 1962 Tigers, handicapped by Al Kaline's prolonged absence due to a broken collarbone,[2] won 16 fewer games than 1961's team, and finished fourth.

After working as a Detroit scout and radio broadcaster, Scheffing succeeded Eddie Stanky as player personnel director with the New York Mets in December 1965.

Scheffing's tenure as Mets general manager is most noted for his trade in which Nolan Ryan was one of four players sent to the California Angels for Jim Fregosi on December 10, 1971.

[5] Ryan went on to set the all-time career strikeout record and earn a place in the Baseball Hall of Fame, while Fregosi struggled in New York.