Mickey Vernon, ballplayer (obituary)

Philly.com ^ | Sep. 27, 2008 | Sally A. Downey

[gusopol3]

"The joke used to be that Washington was first in war, first in peace, and last in the American League."

[ConorMacNessa]

RIP Mickey Vernon - a great ballplayer when there was little in it for them but the love of the game.

Lamh Foistenach Abu!

[BallyBill]

I feel as if he was a lifelong Phillie even though he never played for them.

[fieldmarshaldj]

RIP.

[Tribune7]

ping for someone who should be in the Hall of Fame.

[Tribune7]

I met him and he followed the Phils. Not much point in following the Senators :-)

[gusopol3]

172 HRs/ 1311 RBIs/ .286 career average in 22 years.

[Temple Owl]

I chatted with Mickey Vernon at the Delaware County Veterans Museum bash at the Springfield country club recently and happily and honestly told him he was my all-time favorite baseball player. I was in the army stationed outside of Washington and —believe it or not—I was a Senator's fan.
Craig Williams who is running for Congress against Joe ( Cut and Run) Sestak also was able to spend time with him. Sestak, got up and made a silly speech, taking up valuable time and p—ing off Tom Ridge who wanted to meet Mickey, but never got a chance.
God Bless Mickey Vernon.

[Snickersnee]

As a kid growing up in DC in the early 50s, I was a Senators fan until they sneaked out of town one night... the expression didn’t exist at the time, but Mickey Vernon was “the Franchise.”

[gusopol3]

how about Piersall?

[Conservateacher]

Was with the Dodgers when Mickey was a batting coach. Class guy. Very, very nice man! Can’t believe he was 90 but then I can’t believe I grew so old so quickly. RIP Mickey

[gusopol3]

He's a contemporary of Musial and Ted Williams. It's amazing how the generations roll. I remember Bobby Bonds coming in as the "next Willie Mays," now he's long dead and gone and his son has finished a very long career. Ditto Griffeys and three generations of ball-playing Boones.

[AGreatPer]

I was in the DC ballpark in the 50's but don't remember any players. I was visiting from Pittsburgh.
But I thought the National Boh sign was cool in left.
I still have the program.

[baseballmom]

I grew up in DC and remember my older brother talking about Mickey - it was the tail end of his career. A great player. May he rest in peace.

We loved the Senators, and believe me, were devastated to see them go. What does a town do without baseball?

Since I’ve been here, I’ve given my love and allegience to the Phils. Was at the game today. I’m PUMPED UP for the playoffs.

Go PHILLIES !!

[Tribune7]

Go PHILLIES !!

Worth repeating :-)