Mickey Vernon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mickey Vernon |
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Vernon in 1961
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| First baseman / Manager | |||
| Born: April 22, 1918 Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
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| Died: September 24, 2008 (aged 90) Media, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| July 8, 1939, for the Washington Senators | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| September 27, 1960, for the Pittsburgh Pirates | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .286 | ||
| Hits | 2,495 | ||
| Home runs | 172 | ||
| Runs batted in | 1,311 | ||
| Managerial record | 135–227 | ||
| Winning % | .373 | ||
| Teams | |||
As player
As manager
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Meet James Barton "Mickey" Vernon, a famous American baseball player. He was born on April 22, 1918, and passed away on September 24, 2008. Mickey was best known as a first baseman in Major League Baseball (MLB). He played for several teams, including the Washington Senators, Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, Milwaukee Braves, and Pittsburgh Pirates.
After his playing days, Mickey also became a manager. He led the new Washington Senators team from 1961 to 1963. He also worked as a coach for four different MLB teams until 1982. When he retired as a player in 1960, Mickey had an amazing 2,495 hits. He holds a major league record for the most double plays made at first base. He was a tall, left-handed player, standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 170 pounds.
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Early Life and Military Service
Mickey Vernon was born in Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania. He went to Villanova University before starting his major league career on July 8, 1939.
During World War II, Mickey served in the United States Navy. Because of his service, he missed the 1944 and 1945 baseball seasons. While in the Navy, he served alongside other major league players like Larry Doby. Mickey and another player, Billy Goodman, actually inspired Larry Doby to become a baseball player. Larry Doby later made history in 1947 as the first African-American player to join the American League with the Cleveland Indians.
Mickey Vernon's Baseball Career
Playing in the Major Leagues
Mickey Vernon played for 14 full seasons during his 20-year career. He was a fantastic hitter! He finished with a batting average above .335 twice, above .300 five times, and above .290 nine times. This means he was consistently one of the best hitters in the league.
He even won the American League batting title twice! In 1946, his .353 batting average was better than even the legendary Ted Williams' .342. Then, in 1953, Mickey's .337 average just barely beat Cleveland's Al Rosen (.336), stopping Rosen from winning the Triple Crown. The next year, 1954, was also a great one for Mickey. He hit a career-high 20 home runs and had 97 RBIs. He also led the American League in doubles and extra-base hits.
Mickey was known for his quiet but strong personality, which made him a favorite among fans and other players. On September 1, 1960, after working as a coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Mickey was added back to the active player list. He played in nine games as a pinch hitter. This made him one of only 29 players in baseball history to play in major league games across four different decades! By his last game on September 27, 1960, he was 42 years old, making him the oldest player in the National League.
Mickey played in 2,409 MLB games during his career. He never played in the postseason as a player, which is the third most games without a playoff appearance in history. However, in 1960, while he was on the Pirates' active roster, the team won the National League pennant. Even though he wasn't on the World Series playing roster, he earned a World Series ring when the Pirates won the championship against the New York Yankees.
Overall, Mickey had a career batting average of .286 with 172 home runs and 1,311 RBIs. He averaged 88 RBIs per year and had 11 seasons with 80 or more. He also scored 1,196 runs and had 137 stolen bases. He collected 2,495 hits, including 490 doubles and 120 triples.
Coaching and Managing Roles
Mickey Vernon's career as a coach and manager started in 1960 with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
In 1961, he became the first manager for the new Washington Senators team. This team was brand new and didn't have many experienced players. In his first two full seasons (1961 and 1962), the Senators struggled, losing a lot of games. Mickey was fired on May 21, 1963. His record as a manager was 135 wins and 227 losses.
After managing, Mickey continued to work in baseball until the 1980s. He was a major league coach for the Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals, Montreal Expos, and Yankees. He also managed teams in the minor leagues and worked as a special batting instructor for teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and Kansas City Royals.
Later Life and Legacy
Mickey Vernon passed away from a stroke at the age of 90 on September 24, 2008. He lived in Media, Pennsylvania.
In August 2008, Mickey was considered for the National Baseball Hall of Fame. He was one of ten former players from before 1943 to be reviewed by the Veterans Committee.
Mickey played in four different decades (1939–1960). He played 2,237 games at first base, which is the second most in major league history. He was also an excellent fielder, leading the American League in fielding average four times. He is one of the few first basemen to finish his career with a very high fielding percentage of .990.
The Mickey Vernon Museum Collection in Radnor, Pennsylvania, celebrates his amazing baseball career, his military service, and his friendships. Mickey Vernon is buried at the Lawn Croft Cemetery in Linwood, Pennsylvania.
Mickey Vernon's Major League Highlights
- MLB Record: Most double plays at first base (2,044)
- 7-time American League All-Star (1946, 1948, 1953–1956, 1958)
- 2-time American League batting champion (1946, 1953)
- Led the American League in doubles (1946, 1953, 1954)
- Led the American League in extra-base hits (1954)
- Led the American League in fielding average (1950-1952, 1954)
Images for kids
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Vernon as manager in 1963
See Also
- List of Major League Baseball career hits leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career doubles leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career triples leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career runs scored leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career runs batted in leaders
- List of Major League Baseball batting champions
- List of Major League Baseball annual doubles leaders
- List of Major League Baseball players who played in four decades
