It’s been quite some time since the Baseball Hall of Fame inducted anyone that fans would automatically associate with Washington.
Oh, sure, in 1995 longtime Senators’ broadcaster Bob Wolff was honored with the Ford Frick Award, but that’s not the same as being inducted, to have a plaque with your likeness hanging in the Hall of Immortals.
Homestead Grays executive Cum Posey went in as part of a large group of Negro Leaguers in 2006, but the Grays were also a Pittsburgh-area franchise. In 1984, catcher Rick Ferrell and slugger Harmon Killebrew were inducted, but Ferrell played for several teams and Harmon is more identified with the Twins on a national basis. No, I think you’d have to go back to 1975 when the Committee on Veterans voted in Bucky Harris, the “boy wonder” player-manager of the 1924 Senators, who managed the old Nats on three different occasions. That could change by next year’s ceremony, thanks to a new wrinkle in the Veteran’s Committee ballot.
The Historical Overview Committee of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America — there’s a mouthful — selected 10 players for consideration whose careers began before 1943. A special election will be held on Dec. 7 with results announced at the winter meetings the next day. On the list of 10 are Bill Dahlen, Wes Ferrell, Joe Gordon, Sherry Magee, Carl Mays, Allie Reynolds, Vern Stephens, Bucky Walters, Deacon White — and Washington’s gentleman first baseman, James Barton “Mickey” Vernon.
Mickey is the only living candidate on the list, still spry at age 90 and living in suburban Philadelphia. We spoke last week about this new opportunity, and he was typically self-effacing. “Some pretty good pitchers on that list,” he said. “Wes Ferrell [Rick’s brother] was outstanding. Allie Reynolds was extremely tough, and I always thought Bucky Walters was great, even though he was in the other [National] League.”
Like me, Mickey was surprised that his ex-teammate Cecil Travis didn’t make the list.
“I guess Cecil arrived too late and left too soon,” he said, referring to the fact that Travis broke in with the AL Champion 1933 club, but only got into 18 games and wasn’t on the World Series roster, and retired at 33 with a .314 average.
Vernon’s credentials are impeccable, but admittedly, I’m biased, since he’s been a good friend for nearly 30 years. To refresh your memory, Vernon won two AL batting titles, in 1946 and 1953. He was a 7-time American League All-Star. He racked up 2,495 hits and a solid .286 career batting average. He led the league in doubles 3 times, and was top 10 in that category 9 times. He was top 10 in triples 9 times. Defensively, he had few peers. Until Eddie Murray broke his record, he’d played more games at first base — 2,237 — than anyone else. His career fielding percentage was an astounding .990 in that many contests. The veteran scribes used to say that Vernon was so graceful around the bag, he could play first in a tuxedo.
Hall of Fame voters have placed a greater emphasis on defense in recent years, with the induction of players like Ozzie Smith and Bill Mazeroski, neither of whom could carry Vernon’s bat. The time is right for another Mickey in the Hall of Fame, one who’s still around to enjoy it.
Phil Wood is a contributor to Nats Xtra on MASN. Contact him at [email protected].
