Sept. 26, 2008
VILLANOVA, Pa. - James "Mickey" Vernon, who batted .286 over 20 big league seasons, including two batting titles for the Washington Senators, died Wednesday afternoon at Riddle Memorial Hospital in Media, Pa. after suffering a stroke last week. Vernon played baseball at Villanova before going on to have the longest major league career of any former Wildcat.
Vernon, who was 90, was named last month along with nine other players whose careers began before 1943 to a ballot that will be considered by a special subcommittee of the Veterans Committee for next year's Major League Baseball Hall of Fame induction class. The results, as well as the Veterans Committee voting on 10 post-1943 players, are to be announced December 8.
Vernon won the 1946 American League batting title with a .353 average and the 1953 crown when he batted .337. The left-handed hitting and throwing first baseman led the American League in fielding four times and in doubles three times. He finished with 172 home runs, 1,311 RBI and 137 stolen bases. A seven-time All-Star, Vernon played for five teams in a career that spanned four decades.
In 1937, Vernon was a member of the Villanova baseball freshman squad and helped the team go 6-0. It was the only season he played in a Wildcat uniform, as Vernon signed a professional contract following the season.
Vernon played in the major leagues from 1939-60 and finished his career with 2,495 hits in 2,409 games. He hit 490 doubles, 120 triples and drew 955 walks while striking out only 869 times. Vernon played in at least 100 games in 16 different seasons despite his career being shortened due to World War II. By the time he wound up his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1960 Vernon was the oldest player in the National League at age 42.
During his career, Vernon finished in the top-10 of the MVP voting three times. He holds the major league record for double plays turned by a first baseman (2,044) and is the American League record holder among first basemen for career games (2,227), putouts (19,754), assists (1,444) and total chances (21,408).
Vernon went on to manage the Washington Senators in 1961-62 and for 40 games in the 1963 season, finishing with a 135-227 managerial record.
A Pennsylvania native, a baseball field is named in Vernon's honor and a life-size statue was erected in his hometown of Marcus Hook. Vernon stayed active in youth baseball and the Mickey Vernon Little League in Linwood is named in his honor. This year, Vernon attended opening day ceremonies at the new Washington Nationals stadium and in 2007 threw out the first pitch before a game at Fenway Park.
Vernon leaves a daughter, Gay. Funeral arrangements are pending.
