Posted by Joe O
on 9/25/2008, 12:48 am
65.78.48.68
Daily Times, Delco Sport: A Delco treasure is dead at 90 (continued from the above post)
Five years ago, the borough of Marcus Hook dedicated a statue of Vernon, which was erected outside the playing fields of what was then known as Memorial Park. Those playing facilities are now the Mickey Vernon Field.
Last month, Vernon was among those who attended the Daily Times/Exelon Champs 'n' Charity Classic NSA men's championship game. Last weekend, he was scheduled to appear at the park for a fifth anniversary ceremony commemorating the unveiling of the statue, which stands not far from the home in which he lived at Third and Green Street.
"I think I learned more about the person than anything (doing the book)," Westcott said. "He had a love for people, for life. He was so positive about things. He was an outstanding player, a great fielder ... but learning about him personally was a wonderful experience. I feel blessed that I was able to do this.
"The first time I met him, I did story at the Daily Times 40 years ago. He was managing in Vancouver at the time, and I did a piece when he came home that winter."
When Tennant was doing research for his Baseball Player of the Millennium story on Vernon, he contacted individuals who played against Vernon, who were his teammates and who worked with him during his days as a manager.
"He was one of the nicest men I've ever been around," said Chuck Cottier, who played second base under Vernon in Washington and later was a member of the Phillies' coaching staff. "He was a good baseball man, really knew the game. And he was a class guy."
That's the way so many of Vernon's friends will remember him.
"It won't be as much about Mickey Vernon the baseball player as it will be about Mickey Vernon the gentleman," said Chuck Taylor, a longtime family friend. "And that will always be the word that comes to mind - gentleman."
Vernon's wife of 63 years, Ann Elizabeth "Lib" Vernon, died in December 2004 at the age of 86.
He is survived by a daughter, Gay Vernon Sharon of Massachusetts.
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