TupaTalk: In fight against life's challenges, the Law won
One of the most unique characters in MLB history — known also for the pro career of son Vance — continues to endure life’s journey at 92.
In 1960, Vern Law captured the Cy Young Award — back when only one was awarded for both leagues — while helping to hurl the Pittsburgh Pirates into the World Series and a Fall Classic title against the New York Yankees.
I also know Law in a couple of personal ways.
Next to Roberto Clemente, Law ranked as my mom’s second-favorite baseball player. In fact, when she learned Law was a member of our church, it piqued her interest in baseball (she had grown up in a non-sports home) and the Pirates.
Although she adopted Roberto as her favorite, she always held great respect for Law.
I got to meet Law, in unusual circumstances, in November 1972, nearly exactly 50 years ago.
My high school football team — which I belonged to as a team manager — won the state championship against highly-favored Provo High.
During the happy locker room ambiance afterward, Law entered and I think he shook the hand of every coach, player and even manager.
It was a classy act considering a couple of his sons played for Provo, whose quarterback, incidentally, was Gifford Nielsen, who would go on to star for BYU and play for many years for the Houston Oilers.
Vern’s ankle became injured in the latter part of the 1960 season, but he gutted it out the rest of the way. However, in subsequent seasons, the injury cause a chance in his pitching motion and led to some rugged seasons.
But, he didn’t quit and in 1965 won the NL Comeback Player of the Year Award with a 17-9 record and 2.15 ERA in 29 games. He also was one of the best-hitting MLB pitchers of all time, batting .216, pounding seven triples and 11 homers, driving in 90 runs and earning 41 walks.
On the foundation of these little-remembered gems is the history and tradition of MLB built.
This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: Tupa: MLB tradition is built on little-remembered gems, like Vern Law
