Mickey Vernon, baseball player, 172 home runs, 1939-1960

Mickey Vernon

Born: 4/22/1918 in Marcus Hook, PA, USA

Died: 9/24/2008 in Media, PA, USA

MLB Debut: 1939-07-08 | Final Game: 1960-09-27

Bats: L | Throws: L | Height: 6'2" | Weight: 170 lbs

Full name: James Barton Vernon

Biography

Mickey Vernon, born in 1918, was a prominent American baseball player whose career spanned from 1939 to 1960. Known for his exceptional hitting and consistency at the plate, Vernon played primarily as a first baseman and left a lasting impact on the game during his era. Over the course of his career, he appeared in 2,409 games, accumulating a remarkable 2,495 hits and posting a batting average of .286. With 172 home runs and 1,311 RBIs, he demonstrated a well-rounded offensive skill set, complemented by his speed on the basepaths, as evidenced by his 137 stolen bases. Vernon was selected as an All-Star seven times, a testament to his prowess and popularity during the peak of his career. His contributions were particularly significant during the post-World War II period, a time when baseball was undergoing significant changes, including the emergence of new talent and the integration of the sport. Throughout his tenure, Vernon established himself as a reliable player who could consistently deliver in clutch situations, making him a valuable asset to the teams he played for, including the Washington Senators and the Pittsburgh Pirates. His legacy endures as one of the standout players of his generation, remembered for his skillful approach to the game and his contributions to baseball history.

Negro Leagues Career Statistics

Batting

PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB BA OBP SLG OPS
78.0 71.0 13.0 28.0 6.0 1.0 1.0 8.0 6.0 5.0 2.0 0.394 0.449 0.549 0.998

Negro Leagues Season-by-Season Batting

Career Batting Statistics

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS PIV
2409 8731 1196 2495 490 120 172 1311 137 955 869 0.286 0.359 0.428 0.787 18418.8

Season-by-Season Batting

Fielding Statistics

Career Fielding Totals by Position

Position G GS PO A E DP
1B 2237 550 19808 1448 211 2044
OF 4 3 11 0 1 0

Season-by-Season Fielding

Career Games by Position

Position Games
First Base 2237
Left Field 2
Right Field 2

Awards & Honors

College History

School Name City State Years Attended
Villanova University Villanova PA 1937, 1938

Award Voting History

Year Award League Finish Points Won Points Max Votes First
1956 Most Valuable Player AL 21th 14.0 336 0
1955 Most Valuable Player AL 23th 4.0 336 0
1954 Most Valuable Player AL 9th 30.0 336 0
1953 Most Valuable Player AL 3rd 162.0 336 0
1946 Most Valuable Player AL 5th 134.0 336 1