Major League Baseball Player, Manager. He was born James Barton Vernon and played at the first base position for twenty seasons (1939 to 1943, 1946 to 1960) with the Washington Senators, Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, Milwaukee Braves and Pittsburgh Pirates. After attending Villanova University, he made his big league debut with the Senators on July 8, 1939. His notable career highlights include two-time American League batting champion (.353 in 1946 and .337 in 1953), seven-time American League All Star selection (1946, 1948, 1953 to 1956 and 1958), three-time league leader in doubles (51 in 1946, 43 in 1953 and 33 in 1954) and four-time league leader in fielding average. In 2,409 career regular season games, Vernon had 2,495 hits, 490 doubles and a .286 lifetime batting average. His career was interrupted while he served in the United States Military during World War II. After retiring as a player, he coached for eight seasons (1960, 1964 to 1965, 1977 to 1978, 1982) with the Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals, Montreal Expos and New York Yankees. He was on Danny Murtaugh's staff when Pittsburgh won the World Series title in 1960. He served as manager of the later Washington Senators team from 1961 to 1963. Vernon remained active in baseball functions by appearing at different events up until his death from a stroke at age 90.
Major League Baseball Player, Manager. He was born James Barton Vernon and played at the first base position for twenty seasons (1939 to 1943, 1946 to 1960) with the Washington Senators, Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, Milwaukee Braves and Pittsburgh Pirates. After attending Villanova University, he made his big league debut with the Senators on July 8, 1939. His notable career highlights include two-time American League batting champion (.353 in 1946 and .337 in 1953), seven-time American League All Star selection (1946, 1948, 1953 to 1956 and 1958), three-time league leader in doubles (51 in 1946, 43 in 1953 and 33 in 1954) and four-time league leader in fielding average. In 2,409 career regular season games, Vernon had 2,495 hits, 490 doubles and a .286 lifetime batting average. His career was interrupted while he served in the United States Military during World War II. After retiring as a player, he coached for eight seasons (1960, 1964 to 1965, 1977 to 1978, 1982) with the Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals, Montreal Expos and New York Yankees. He was on Danny Murtaugh's staff when Pittsburgh won the World Series title in 1960. He served as manager of the later Washington Senators team from 1961 to 1963. Vernon remained active in baseball functions by appearing at different events up until his death from a stroke at age 90.
Bio by: C.S.
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