by Max Silberman

At the September Executive Board meeting of the A’s Society, everyone expressed the hope that our dear friend Mickey Vernon would be inducted into the Hall of Fame when the voting is announced in December.

Some planned to go to Cooperstown next summer for the induction.

One of baseball’s oldest cliches is “there is no clock in baseball.” Unfortunately it is not true, On September 24, one week after suffering a stroke, Mickey Vernon departed this life at the age of 90.

Mickey Vernon played for the Indians, Red Sox, Braves and Pirates but he will always be remembered as a Washington Senator where he played most of his glorious career which included seven All Star appearances and American League batting titles in 1946 and 1953. He also managed the Senators after playing in four decades.

Although he never played for the A’s , he appeared a almost all A’s Society events and never said “no” when asked to appear at the museum or reunion. When he recently signed his book “Mickey Vernon,The Gentleman First Baseman”, the lines were out the door at the museum.

If you happen to be in the town of Marcus Hook, PA, you will see a statue of Mickey Vernon to honor their native son. Ernie Montella, also from Marcus Hook, went to a ball game as a youth and identified himself to Vernon as being from ‘Hook. Mickey gladly signed an autograph for Ernie and Ernie’s love for baseball was cemented for a lifetime. Others who claimed Mickey Vernon as their favorite player included President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas who met his hero in a Chicago dugout as a boy.

Baseball had no greater ambassador than Mickey Vernon and the Philadelphia Athletics Historical Society extends condolences to his family. It is our prayer that he be granted a perfect rest.

James Barton ‘Mickey’ Vernon, 90,

Major League Baseball star; Marcus Hook native

James Barton “Mickey” Vernon, a Marcus Hook native and one of the best Major League Baseball players of his generation, died Sept. 24 at Riddle Memorial Hospital. He was 90.

Born April 22, 1918, in Marcus Hook, Mr. Vernon was a standout athlete at Eddystone High School. He attended Villanova University before making his Major League Baseball debut July 8, 1939.

In 1941, he married Anne Elizabeth Firth and they made their home in Leiperville. He moved to Wallingford in 1951, residing there until 2004.

Mr. Vernon was a U.S. Navy veteran, having served in the South Pacific during World War II.

A first baseman, he played for the Washington Senators for the majority of his baseball career. Mr. Vernon also wore the uniforms of the Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, Milwaukee Braves and the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Despite missing two seasons to military service during World War II, he retired with 2,495 hits and holds the Major League record for career double plays at first base, as well as American League records for career games, putouts, assists and total chances. He batted and threw left-handed.

Playing in four different decades, Mr. Vernon ended his career with 2,237 games at first base, second to only Jake Beckley in Major League history. He led the American League in fielding percentage four times, and the majors two times.

His career ended in 1960 as player/coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates. After his playing days, he spent two years in Washington as manager of the Senators and later was a hitting coach with several major league organizations.

Mr. Vernon became one of the few first basemen to finish his career with a .990 fielding percentage, and participated in more double plays than anyone else.

In August, he was named as one of the ten former players that began their careers before 1943 to be considered by the Veterans Committee for induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2009.

Throughout his baseball career, Mr. Vernon became one of the most well liked ballplayers, mainly through his unique personality and charismatic, but quiet style.

He was the widower of Anne Elizabeth Firth Vernon, who died Dec. 17, 2004, the son of the late Clarence and Katherine Morris Vernon, and the brother of the late Edith Cushman.

Survivors: Daughter, Gay A. Vernon of Sharon, Mass.; nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Services and Burial: Private.

Visitation: 2-7 p.m. Saturday and 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Nolan-Fidale Funeral Home Ltd., 5980 Chichester Ave., Aston.

A Memorial and Life Celebration will be announced at a later date.

Contributions: In lieu of flowers, Mickey Vernon Little League. P.O. Box 914, Linwood, PA 19061, or Baseball Assistance Team, 245 Park Ave., 34th Floor, New York, NY 10167.

Darts and Laurels: Mickey Vernon: ‘A Gentleman First Baseman’

Hook recalls life of Vernon

Vernon at museum in Media, PA