A couple of days ago I posted a story titled Washington D.C. Baseball on Facebook, in the story I added a D.C. Baseball History Extra. The extra piece was a photo that is titled You Make The Call. The photo was sent to me by Mr. Jim Vankoski who is the curator of The Mickey Vernon Sports History Museum.
In the story I also stated that Jim was sending me 50 post cards of the You Make The Call photo. I made the offer that I would send a postcard for free to anyone who wanted one. At this time I have 28 postcards left. You can still have one by sending me a e-mail to mark@nationalsdailynews.com. If you need more than one to share with other baseball fans please let me know and I will see if I can get Jim to send me some more.
A little reminder if you are in the Philadelphia area you should make a little trip to Chadd’s Ford where you will find the Mickey Vernon Museum at the Delaware County Brandywine Conference and Visitors Bureau. I recommend you contact Jim first so he can give you a personal tour. You can also ask Jim if he can take you to see Mickey’s statue at Marcus Hook. If you do make the trip please let Jim know that Mark sent you.
D.C. Baseball History Extra!
Out At Home
This card shows a rare play for a first baseman and illustrates what an
exceptional defensive player Mickey was. Although you can’t tell from the
photo Mickey has just tagged out Minnie Minoso of the Chicago White Sox
as he tried to get from second to home on a passed ball. It was plays like this
that led to his receiving a compliment from Jack Dunn, the assistant general
manager of the Baltimore Orioles in the 1950s, that Mickey considers one of
the best compliments ever paid to him. Said Dunn, “Mickey is the only man
I know in baseball who could play first base in a tuxedo, appear perfectly
comfortable, and never wrinkle his suit.” Long-lasting records are rare in
major league baseball, but even now, fifty years after taking part in his last
one, Mickey Vernon still holds the major league record for participating in
the most double plays.
Card Sponsored By:
The Mickey Vernon Sports History Museum
Jim Vankoski Curator – vankoski21@comcast.net
