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Vern Bickford, a right-handed pitcher, played in Major League Baseball primarily for the Boston Braves, later known as the Milwaukee Braves. Born on August 17, 1920, in Hellier, Kentucky, Bickford's journey to the major leagues began in the minor leagues, where he honed his skills and caught the attention of major league scouts.
Bickford made his MLB debut on
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Vern Bickford, a right-handed pitcher, played in Major League Baseball primarily for the Boston Braves, later known as the Milwaukee Braves. Born on August 17, 1920, in Hellier, Kentucky, Bickford's journey to the major leagues began in the minor leagues, where he honed his skills and caught the attention of major league scouts.
Bickford made his MLB debut on July 5, 1948, with the Boston Braves. His rookie season showed promise, as he quickly became a reliable arm in the Braves' pitching rotation. The following year, in 1949, Bickford solidified his role as a starting pitcher. He pitched 16 complete games that season, demonstrating his ability to endure long outings and maintain effectiveness throughout the game. His performance helped the Braves remain competitive in the National League.
The pinnacle of Bickford's career came in 1950. On August 11 of that year, he pitched a no-hitter against the Brooklyn Dodgers, a remarkable achievement that highlighted his skill and precision on the mound. This no-hitter was a standout moment in his career and remains a memorable event in the history of the Braves franchise. During the 1950 season, Bickford led the National League in complete games with 27 and innings pitched with 311.1, showcasing his durability and stamina as a pitcher.
In 1951, Bickford continued to be a workhorse for the Braves, pitching over 200 innings and maintaining a solid earned run average (ERA). However, as the seasons progressed, he began to experience arm troubles, which affected his performance and limited his appearances on the mound. Despite these challenges, Bickford remained a valued member of the Braves' pitching staff.
The Braves relocated to Milwaukee in 1953, and Bickford was part of the team during this transition. However, his playing time was increasingly hampered by injuries. In 1954, he was traded to the Baltimore Orioles, where he finished his major league career. Bickford's time with the Orioles was brief, as he struggled to regain his previous form and effectiveness.
After retiring from professional baseball, Bickford returned to a quieter life away from the spotlight of the major leagues.
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/ When Sporting News halted printing of the long running Sporting News Record Book in 1942, they replaced it with the Sporting News Guide in 1943, a companion publication to the Sporting News Register, which began publication in 1940. After A.S Barnes stopped publication of their guide (successor to the long-running Spalding Baseball Guide), the Sporting News Guide became the official MLB guide.
When Sporting News halted printing of the long running Sporting News Record Book in 1942, they replaced it with the...
/ When Sporting News halted printing of the long running Sporting News Record Book in 1942, they replaced it with the Sporting News Guide in 1943, a companion publication to the Sporting News Register, which began publication in 1940. After A.S Barnes stopped publication of their guide (successor to the long-running Spalding Baseball Guide), the Sporting News Guide became the official MLB guide.
When Sporting News halted printing of the long running Sporting News Record Book in 1942, they replaced it with the...
/ When Sporting News halted printing of the long running Sporting News Record Book in 1942, they replaced it with the Sporting News Guide in 1943, a companion publication to the Sporting News Register, which began publication in 1940. After A.S Barnes stopped publication of their guide (successor to the long-running Spalding Baseball Guide), the Sporting News Guide became the official MLB guide.
When Sporting News halted printing of the long running Sporting News Record Book in 1942, they replaced it with the...
/ When Sporting News halted printing of the long running Sporting News Record Book in 1942, they replaced it with the Sporting News Guide in 1943, a companion publication to the Sporting News Register, which began publication in 1940. After A.S Barnes stopped publication of their guide (successor to the long-running Spalding Baseball Guide), the Sporting News Guide became the official MLB guide.