Evening star., 1960-09-02
WIN, LOSE OR
DRAW By FRANCIS s1AAA
A Pennont for Mickey

AS 1T ORIGINALLY came over the sports wire the
squib only mentioned that Manager Danny Murtaugh of
the Pittsburgh Pirates had released Mickey Vernon
coach and put him the active players list 1t wasn't
mentioned that Vernon, at AZ, four months older
than Ted Williams and therefore the oldest active player
in the big leagues.
That item added by the sports desk here, where
Vernon is al-me favorite And it here too that
it suspected that Murtaugh perhaps giving his
old boyhood pal and neghbor chance to play in World
Series after 81 and two batting championships ThuS
the telephone call San Francisco where the BucS
stopping, to see if it we're true
Frankly" Barton Vernon said at the other end
don't think I'll be eligible for the SERIES get in it.
At least Danny didn't say anything about it We carry
players now but only 25 will be eligible for the SERIES
I doubt if I'll be of the 25."
He chucked my guess is that I'll be the first base
coach again by series time"
FOR ALL OF HIS dexterity at first base and his sweet
swing Vernon never played for pennant winner Maybe
that was behind Muraugh thinking when he reactvated
the or-sharp old gaffer. Or maybe
Danny might be thinking help the club once
or twice in the stretch rum Mickey said on the phone
"AH know is that about week ago he said:
YOU'D better start taking extra batting practice.
And you ought to start running to your legs in shape
You're going back on the active list
81 hadn't been listed a player" Mickey reminded,
"since last season. when part-tme with MiWau
kee You know little hitting, little first base
little outfied When joined the Pirates coach
last winter took batting practice and then oughed
off.
Nov it looks if the old boy,is going to his
among the players on championship team i. +. if
make it." Mickey is careful to add the "if."
OLD PAL MURTAUGH the black-browed Irshman
from Woodyn, Pa, sentimental the next of his
can but he practical man. Danny Vernon grew
up together played ball kids live two miles apart and
work in the clothing store during the Christ
mas holidays
Murtaugh knows too that despite his buddys age
Mickey still can swing ethal bat Vernon of
the most modest guys in the business put it this way:
club little short left-handed pinch hitters
If Smokey Burgess is used behind the plate and Rocky
Nelson plays first That only leaves Dick schoeld
switch hitter the bench.
"I think that's the Danny put the active
right with me-"
AFTER 81 YEARS" Mickey was asked, don't you feel
you've missed something baseball by not having played
In a World Series?"
Es "Ive got kicks" Vernon replied. with Washington
all those seasons we little chance joined Cleveland
in 1s49 year after the Indians the pennant, and
left in 1850 They again in 1854 but without me-
didn't return to Cleveland until SO.
with the Red Sox"-mentionng his other American
League afiation-"t was another of being with
club that wasn't able to go all the way
"The closest to playing for pennant win
ner" Vernon cued was last Milwaukee. still
think that if decision fly ball against that silly
screen in Los Angeles had gone wouldn't have
had playof which lost. But that's how it goes"
rs WHEN THE BRAVES gave Vernon his release-he
aa See WIN LOSE OR DRAW. Page A-1s