Vernon Law

Vernon Law – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Learn about Vernon Law—American MLB pitcher, 1960 Cy Young winner, World Series champion—and his life, career, philosophy, and memorable quotes in this in-depth biography.

Introduction

Vernon Sanders Law (born March 12, 1930) is a celebrated American former professional baseball pitcher, best known for his long tenure with the Pittsburgh Pirates and his standout 1960 season, in which he earned both the Cy Young Award and a World Series championship.

Though his name may not be as instantly recognized as some of the all-time legends of baseball, Vernon Law’s career offers a compelling story of consistency, faith, leadership, and perseverance. His reflections, life choices, and integrity continue to inspire many beyond the baseball diamond.

In this article, we explore his early life, development, baseball journey, lasting legacy, personal traits, and memorable quotes—and draw timeless lessons from his life and words.

Early Life and Family

Vernon Law was born on March 12, 1930, in Meridian, Idaho, to a modest, hardworking family.

Raised in a devout Mormon household, the faith played a central role in his upbringing.

The family lived on a farm outside Meridian, where Vernon and his siblings helped with chores and grew up playing in rural settings.

Even early on, Vernon showed aptitude in athletics and a strong moral compass, shaped by his faith, family discipline, and rural upbringing.

Youth and Education

Vernon attended local schools in Idaho and later in California after his family’s move.

Scouts took notice. During his senior year of high school, Vernon was already drawing multiple college and professional offers.

After graduation in 1948, he and his brother Evan signed contracts and entered the minor leagues. Vernon accepted an offer from the Pittsburgh Pirates (as an amateur free agent) and began his professional journey right away.

Thus, he skipped a traditional college athletic path and committed early to pro baseball—a decision undergirded by his faith, ambition, and confidence in his abilities.

Career and Achievements

Early Years & Military Interruption

Vernon Law first appeared in the major leagues on June 11, 1950, with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

However, his career was interrupted by military service: he enlisted during the Korean War, missing the 1952 and 1953 MLB seasons.

He returned to the Pirates organization for the 1954 season and gradually built into a dependable pitcher.

Steady Performer & Breakthrough

From the mid-1950s onward, Law became a more consistent part of the Pirates’ rotation, often pitching on underdog teams.

But his crowning achievement came in 1960. That year:

• He won 20 games and lost 9—his only 20-win season.

• He was awarded the Cy Young Award, becoming the first Pirates pitcher to win it.

• He pitched two winning games in the World Series (Games 1 and 4) and started the decisive Game 7 on just three days’ rest.

• In those World Series appearances, despite the Pirates’ team ERA being high and opponents (New York Yankees) batting .338 in the series, Law posted a 3.44 ERA over ~18 innings.

His 1960 campaign stands as one of the greatest in Pirates history.

Following that peak, he continued to pitch effectively for the Pirates through 1967, though never eclipsing his 1960 performance. 17–9 record with a 2.15 ERA—one of his best seasons in that period.

Over his career, he compiled a 162–147 win–loss record, with 1,092 strikeouts, and a career ERA of 3.77.

Post-Playing Roles & Honors

After retiring from pitching in 1967, Law remained involved in baseball in various capacities, such as coaching, advising, and broadcasting (or as a baseball figure).

He has been honored by multiple halls of fame. He was inducted into the Idaho Athletic Hall of Fame in 1979. 2025, he is slated for induction into the Pirates Hall of Fame, a long-awaited recognition by the franchise.

His nickname, “Deacon” or “Preacher,” stemmed from his devout religious life and reputation for principled conduct.

Historical Milestones & Context

Vernon Law’s career spanned a transformative era in baseball—from the 1950s into the 1960s. He played for a franchise (Pittsburgh) that swung between struggling teams and championship success. In 1960, the Pirates’ World Series win broke a long drought (since 1925) and helped spark a new era of enthusiasm for Pittsburgh sports.

His decision to maintain his religious convictions in an era when celebrating with teammates or indulging in off-field revelry was common made him stand out. For instance, on the day the Pirates clinched the pennant, legends say he refused to engage in debauchery; he stayed on the team bus.

He pitched during an era before free agency, mass salaries, and heavy media scrutiny. His story reflects a time when athletes often had deeper local ties, more modest compensation, and perhaps more direct rapport with their communities.

Legacy and Influence

Although less well-known than baseball icons like Sandy Koufax or Bob Gibson, Vernon Law’s legacy is one of steadfast consistency, character, and team-first mentality. His 1960 season remains a defining moment in Pirates lore.

His upcoming induction into the Pirates Hall of Fame in 2025 marks a formal recognition of his impact and importance to the franchise.

In Idaho and among baseball historians, he is celebrated not just for wins and stats but for embodying the idea that faith, integrity, and excellence need not be mutually exclusive.

For younger players and athletes, his career offers a reminder: success often comes not through recklessness, but through discipline, humility, resilience, and believing in a higher purpose beyond sport.

Personality and Talents

Vernon Law was known for:

• Control pitching: He wasn’t always about overpowering speed, but about precision, economy, and consistency.

• Quiet leadership: He set standards by example rather than loud displays.

• Faith-driven life: His Mormon faith shaped much of his decisions, from how he comported himself in the clubhouse to how he balanced his public persona.

• Respect for tradition: He often referenced principles such as honoring contracts, humility, and resisting shortcuts or excuses—values you see echoed in his quotes (below).

He also had a sense of purpose beyond baseball—he wished to be able to speak about faith and be heard, to be more than just an athlete.

Famous Quotes of Vernon Law

Here are some notable quotes by Vernon Law, which reflect his worldview, values, and philosophy:

• “Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterward.”

• “Some people are so busy learning the tricks of the trade that they never learn the trade.”

• “If you don’t play to win, why keep score?”

• “Don’t throw the ball before you have it.”

• “You sign a contract, and you abide by the contract.”

• “That’s what I think most players want to be remembered as, being a good competitor. Not being a guy who makes excuses.”

• “We just had a bunch of guys who liked each other, and we worked well together and sacrificed to win ball games.”

• “I got the nickname ‘Deacon’ because I didn’t swear, didn’t drink, went to church … And they weren’t friends then. You wanted to beat them.”

These statements illustrate his commitment to integrity, hard work, sportsmanship, and simplicity.

Lessons from Vernon Law

From Vernon Law’s life and words, we can draw several enduring lessons:

1. Embrace hard growth
   His famous line about experience teaches that sometimes life tests us before the lesson becomes clear. Growth often comes through adversity.

2. Prioritize fundamentals over shortcuts
   He warns of those who chase tricks rather than mastering the trade. True mastery comes from dedication to basics.

3. Honor commitments
   In a world of shifting loyalties, Law’s insistence on abiding by the contract speaks to the value of keeping one’s word—even when convenient alternatives emerge.

4. Be a competitor, not an excuse-maker
   He believed that those who justify their losses become losers. Accountability and determination matter more than blame.

5. Faith and principle can coexist with excellence
   Law showed that one can pursue athletic greatness without abandoning moral or spiritual convictions.

6. Team and character matter more than individual glory
   His pride was often in how teammates cared for each other and sacrificed together—true success is shared.

Conclusion

Vernon Law’s story transcends mere baseball statistics. He is a figure whose integrity, quiet leadership, and faith-rooted purpose lend his legacy a deeper resonance than wins and losses alone.

Though his 1960 season stands as his on-field apex, his life is richer for the character he maintained before, during, and after his career. As he is honored with induction to the Pirates Hall of Fame, his example continues to speak to athletes, faith- seekers, and anyone striving to live with consistency and meaning.

Explore more timeless quotes and reflections on life, leadership, and resilience—and consider how Vernon Law’s principles might inspire you in your own journey.