50th anniversary fit for a 'Deacon'
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PROVO, UTAH
Having helped the Pittsburgh Pirates tame the New York Yankees in the 1960 World Series, "Deacon" returned to the cheers of 38,000 adoring fans in Pittsburgh to throw out the first pitch in the Pirates' game with the Cleveland Indians on Saturday, June 19.
Vernon Law, nicknamed "Deacon" by other players because he was a member of the Church and held high moral standards, was joined by several teammates at the game, billed as the "'60 World Series Reunion." Brother Law won games one and four of that series and started game seven, ending up with a no-decision as the Pirates won 10-9 on Bill Mazeroski's historic walk-off home run. Along with a World Series ring, Brother Law won the Cy Young Award that year as baseball's best pitcher.
Accompanied by his wife, VaNita, their children and spouses, Brother Law said in a Church News telephone interview from his Provo home, "It was a fun time for us to get back to see some old friends and team members I played with."
The family also took the occasion for a belated celebration of Brother and Sister Law's 60th wedding anniversary.
Brother Law said the people of Pittsburgh still relate to the 1960 team. "We were a part of the community," he said. Noted for being a positive example, Brother Law was often asked to speak to youth and other groups.
He kept his standards high in the baseball environment, building a strong foundation of faith that he has built on since.
Now 80 years old, Brother Law was recently released after eight years of service on the Provo Utah Grandview Stake high council. He has "no trouble keeping busy," he said, including attending the temple and doing family history research with his wife. A legendary Major Leaguer, he also continues to work with charities and speaks to groups around the country, talking freely about his faith and standards, he said.
Remaining faithful is not a real challenge, he said, pointing out that his family has experienced many faith-promoting miracles through the priesthood.
In recent years, he said he did feel he was being tested to "see if I was what I professed to be."
That trial came when his adult son, Varlin, became seriously ill with leukemia. Falling back on the blessings of the priesthood in his life, Brother Law said he distinctly heard an inner voice say, "Things are going to be all right." Some years after being stricken, Varlin is doing very well, Brother Law said.
A lifelong advocate of the Word of Wisdom, he said obeying it and remaining physically active have enabled him to live long and continue serving as he intends to endure to the end.
