Rash's Surname Index
Notes for James Barton VERNON
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.
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