22. Vern Law

An athlete's greatness often extends beyond their skills, reflected in their character. Vern Law embodied this with unwavering faith and respect in sport. Known as "The Deacon" for his integrity and calm, he led Western Pennsylvania's rotation for nearly two decades, symbolizing blue-collar reliability. Despite tough times in the 1950s, he achieved peak performance when it mattered most.

His initial appearance during the 1950 schedule offered a brief glimpse of his frontline potential, but his development was suddenly interrupted when he was called away for a multi-year military service. Law rejoined the club before the 1954 season, and over the next five summers, he moved smoothly within a transitional pitching staff as the front office gradually built a competitive team.

His rise to elite efficiency truly occurred during a remarkable 1959 breakout, when he achieved 18 wins and maintained a spotless 2.98 ERA, solidifying his national reputation.

The pinnacle of his career was during the memorable 1960 regular season. Law showcased incredible control and resilience, pitching despite a painful ankle injury to earn the prestigious Cy Young Award, the first in franchise history. He made taking the mound a symbol of consistent excellence, winning a personal-best 20 games and leading all major league pitchers with 18 complete games.

When the Pirates faced the formidable New York Yankees in the Fall Classic, "The Deacon" secured his everlasting place in Steel City lore by starting three games and earning two crucial wins, outshining the American League champions and leading Pittsburgh to a historic world title.

Far from a one-summer wonder, Law demonstrated remarkable longevity by overcoming a severe shoulder tear that could have ended a lesser player's career, maintaining his role on the staff until 1967. His 16-year tenure as a “Lifer" included nine seasons with double-digit wins, during which he consistently outsmarted hitters with a sharp breaking ball and excellent control of the strike zone.

He left the game after 1967, leaving a strong local baseline. In 483 games for Pittsburgh, Law had 162 wins, 119 complete games, 28 shutouts, and 1,092 strikeouts over 2,672 innings.