Mickey

We lost one of the good ones on Wednesday, when Mickey Vernon passed away at age 90, the victim of a stroke he suffered one week ago. I had the pleasure of meeting Mickey twice, most recently at a June event in the Philadelphia area in which he spoke about his tenure in the military during World War II. In 2006, I met Mickey for the first time, also in the Philadelphia area, as part of a program that celebrated accomplishments of Chester, PA native Danny Murtaugh. Both occasions proved uplifting, as I came away with the kind of graceful impression that Mickey had made on so many other people both during and after his career in baseball.

Mickey Vernon was a tremendous ballplayer, a two-time batting champion and a three-time All-Star who was once voted the greatest first baseman in the history of the Washington Senators' franchise. Despite missing part of his career because of military service, Vernon played more games at first base than anyone during the 20th century. He was a slick defender, one of the finest fielding first basemen of all time, along with being a productive line-drive hitter who flashed power at various times during his four-decade career. He was good enough to have merited inclusion on the Hall of Fame's Veterans Committee ballot, which features his name along with nine other players whose careers began prior to 1943.

As fine a player as Vernon was, he was a better man. Likeable throughout his playing days, Vernon continued to spread the wealth of his amiable personality as a manager, coach, scout, and after his retirement, as a frequent guest at baseball-related functions. If you wanted to add a touch of gentlemanly class and quiet intelligence to your event, you just made sure to send an invitation to Mickey Vernon.

Jim Vankoski, who arranges a number of baseball related events in the Philadelphia area, knew all about Mickey. He was the one who introduced me to Mickey, who told me what a wonderful guy that he was. Mickey certainly did not disappoint. He patiently answered questions that I interspersed throughout our conversations, while at the same time taking an interest in what I was doing. Thanks, Jim, for giving me the chance to meet this special man.

And thanks to Mickey for the way that he treated me--the way that he seemingly treated everyone. I only met him twice, but I feel like I knew him for a lifetime.