| Vern Law | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Law atPNC Park in 2010 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1930-03-12)March 12, 1930 (age 95) Meridian, Idaho, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| June 11, 1950, for the Pittsburgh Pirates | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| August 20, 1967, for the Pittsburgh Pirates | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 162–147 |
| Earned run average | 3.77 |
| Strikeouts | 1,092 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Vernon Sanders Law (born March 12, 1930) is an American formerbaseballpitcher who played sixteen seasons inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for thePittsburgh Pirates. He played in 1950–51 and 1954–67. He batted and threwright-handed and was listed at 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m) and 195 pounds (88 kg).[1] Law signed for the Pirates as an amateur free agent in 1948 and played for three of theirminor league affiliates until 1950, when he was promoted to the major leagues.[1]
Law was born on March 12, 1930, inMeridian, Idaho. He was signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates before the 1948 season and spent 1948 and 1949 in the minor leagues.[1][2] Law made his major league debut for the Pirates in 1950. He played one season and then served in the military from 1951 to 1954. Upon returning to the major leagues, he eventually earned a spot in the Pirates' starting rotation. He shared theNL Player of the Month award in August 1959 (4-0, 1.94 ERA, 25 SO) withWillie McCovey.
In 1960, he had awin–loss record of 20-9 with a 3.08earned run average. He led theNational League incomplete games, made theAll-Star team, and won theCy Young Award that season. In the1960 World Series, he won two games to help the Pirates defeat theNew York Yankees.[1] His career was derailed by an injury to his ankle sustained on the bus trip on which the team was celebrating clinching the 1960 pennant. Law was forced to change his pitching style and pitched in pain for the rest of the season and the World Series. Because of his weak ankle, he tore some muscles in the back of his pitching shoulder during the Series. He thought the injury would heal over the winter, but he was not the same for several seasons.[3]
Law did manage to win theNL Comeback Player of the Year award in 1965, with a 17-9 record, and a 2.15 ERA in 29 games. He shared the NL Player of the Month award in June of that year (withWillie Stargell), with a 6-1 record, 0.87 ERA, and 32 SO. After two more seasons, he retired in 1967. Law finished his career with a record of 162-147. He won theLou Gehrig Memorial Award in 1965 for his contributions both on and off the field.[1] As a hitter, Law posted a .216batting average (191-for-883) with 96runs, 35doubles, 7triples, 11home runs, 90RBI and drawing 41bases on balls. In the1960 World Series, he batted .333 (2-for-6) with a run scored and one RBI. He was better than average defensively, recording a .972fielding percentage, which was 16 points higher than the league average at his position.[1]
Following his retirement, Law served as the Pirates’ pitching coach for two seasons before becoming an assistant baseball coach atBrigham Young University,[4][5] in which capacity he served for nine years, mentoringJack Morris, among others.[6][7] In December 1978, he accepted a position as pitching coach for theSeibu Lions of theNippon Professional Baseball (NPB).[8] Three years later, Law returned to the United States as a coach for thePortland Beavers of thePacific Coast League,[9] moving in 1983 to theDenver Bears of theAmerican Association, where he would remain for one season before being handed the team's managerial reins in 1984. Law's promotion, however, proved short-lived when an extended midseason slump led to his dismissal on July 3, replaced by coachAdrian Garrett.[10]
Law was made aDeacon inthe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the age of 12, became a teacher two years later and was ordained apriest at 17.[11] One of his five sons isVance Law also played in the Major Leagues.[1] His wife VaNita died in 2023, they were married 73 years.
| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Major League Player of the Month August 1959 (withWillie McCovey) June 1965 (withWillie Stargell) | Succeeded by |
| Sporting positions | ||
| Preceded by | Pittsburgh Piratespitching coach 1968–1969 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |