Mickey Vernon

James Barton Vernon (Mickey) (born April 22 1918 in Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania) is a former Major League Baseball player for the Washington Senators (1939-1948, 1950-1955) for the majority of his career, plus 4 other teams: the Cleveland Indians (1949-1950, 1958), the Boston Red Sox (1956-1957), the Milwaukee Braves (1959), and the Pittsburgh Pirates (1960). He played first base while in the Majors, and batted and threw left-handed.

Career Overview

Mickey Vernon attended Villanova University, before making his debut on July 8, 1939.

Related Topics:
Villanova University - July 8 - 1939

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The best part of Vernon, according to most, was his sheer hitting skills. In 14 full seasons (400 at bats or more), Vernon hit over .335 twice, over .300 five times, and over .290 nine times.

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It can be argued which season was his best; 1946 or 1953. In 1946, Vernon's stats with the Senators were jaw-dropping in the pure hitting area, however, his power numbers were not there yet. Vernon hit a career-high .353 (led the league), with 8 home runs and 85 RBI's. He had 14 stolen bases and 88 runs scored in 587 at bats. He had 207 hits, a career-high. He had a .403 on base percentage and led the league in doubles with 51. It was his first real great season, and he made his first ML All-Star Game.

Related Topics:
1946 - 1953 - Home run - RBI's - Stolen base - Runs scored - Hits - On base percentage - Doubles - ML All-Star Game

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In 1953, he put up all-around outstanding numbers, picking up a number of career highs. Again, he led the league in batting average with .337, and this time picked up 15 homers and 115 RBI's, a career high, in 608 at bats. His hit total came out to over 200 again, at 205, while his stolen base numbers went down to 4. He scored over 100 runs for the first and only time, at 101. Again, he led the league in doubles, this time with only 43, and again he had a .403 on base percentage. His 115 RBI's also came on a very bad-hitting Senators team that was 76-76 on the year.

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Through the 40's and most of the 50's, he was consistantly putting up very good numbers. He had his career high in home runs in 1954 with 20 (which was 8th in the league). He also had 97 RBI's, 14 triples, a career-high, and yet again he led the league in doubles with 33. He also had 294 total bases, which was 2nd in the league, behind Minnie Minoso.

Related Topics:
1954 - Triples - Total bases - Minnie Minoso

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Over time, Vernon became one of the most well-liked ballplayers, mainly through his unique personality and charismatic, but quiet, style. By his last game on September 27, 1960, before being released by the Braves, he was the oldest player, at 42, by almost a year, and one of the most popular players in the game.

Related Topics:
September 27 - 1960

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In a 20-season career, Vernon posted a quality .286 batting average with 172 home runs and 1311 RBI's in 2409 games. The left-hander averaged 88 RBI's a year, and had 11 seasons with 80 or more, 3 with 90 or more. He accumulated 1196 runs with 137 stolen bases and a .359 on base percentage. His career slugging percentage came out to .428, with a career high of .518 in 1953. He compiled 2495 hits, with 490 doubles and 120 triples, in 8731 at bats. He had 2741 career total bases, with his career high coming in 1953 (315).

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In 1961, one year after retiring, he was given the job of managing the Senators. He did so from 1961 until the beginning of 1963. He had a career record of 135-227, a .373 winning percentage.

Related Topics:
1961 - Managing - 1963

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Fielding

Playing in four different decades (1939-60), Vernon has the Major League record for games played at first base. He led the American League in fielding percentage four times, and the Majors two times.

Related Topics:
American League - Fielding percentage

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He became one of the few first basemen to finish his career with a .990 fielding percentage or above, at .990.

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